Bachelor (Honours)
This degree is the only one of its kind in South Australia that is accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS) and includes courses in haematology, transfusion science, clinical biochemistry, clinical microbiology, histopathology and cytopathology.
You will gain real industry experience in a clinical setting and will benefit from our state-of-the-art on-campus facilities, including specialised laboratories. Some students may also complete research projects in the new $247m UniSA Cancer Research Institute.
This qualification will set you apart from your competitors and will provide you with advanced knowledge of, and skills in, research methodology and research practice.
This honours degree prepares you for a career in all areas of pathology, with training in biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, molecular pathology, haematology and histopathology.
During your first two years you will study natural and biomedical sciences, and during the third and fourth years you will strengthen your knowledge through clinical courses and practical experience.
You will learn the theory and develop the skills required to perform a range of diagnostic tests including cross-matching for blood transfusions, identifying the organisms that cause infections and food poisoning, screening for cancer cells and detecting genes responsible for disease conditions. You will also learn how to examine blood for any changes in its composition or function, and monitor levels of blood chemicals including sugar, electrolytes, pH, metabolites, toxins, drugs, hormones and proteins.
In your third year of study all students will complete 13 weeks of valuable field placements, which is more than what is required by industry to become an accredited Medical Laboratory Scientist with the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS). This can be completed in South Australia, interstate or overseas.
At the start of your fourth year of study, you can choose to undertake Advanced Clinical Practice for 13 weeks or Experimental Research Practice for 13 weeks. In both options, you will work as part of a team in a diagnostic or research setting either in on-campus or external laboratories, learning how to manage specimens, perform tests and operate equipment. Many placements have also led to employment for previous students - our graduates are in-demand.
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
In Australia, growth for Medical Laboratory Scientists has been on the rise with career prospects continuing to look very strong, with an expected 12,000 job openings over the next five years.1
As a Medical Laboratory Scientist, you will support clinicians in the diagnosis, management and treatment of disease, to conduct research into the causes and cures for disease, and to develop improved tests for disease detection. You may also recommend possible treatments, monitor dosage and effects, as well as track the progress of patients.
You should be inquisitive and have an analytical mind, and you will need to have the ability to absorb, connect and integrate information from various sources. Medical Laboratory Scientists use a range of intricate and sophisticated equipment, so a certain amount of manual dexterity is needed to conduct laboratory work effectively.
Medical Laboratory Scientists are employed in a range of areas, including:
As an honours students you may also choose to pursue a career in research - graduates with honours degrees are highly sought after by prospective employers, particularly within academia and research settings.
1Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business, 2023 Small Business Projections.
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