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- What is an ATAR
- CRICOS: 093656A
The Master of Laboratory Medicine will provide you with the theoretical and practical skills necessary for employment as a Medical Laboratory Scientist in medical pathology laboratories or other diagnostic laboratories (Professional Experience Sequence), and to provide relevant research experience (Research Sequence). The course provides a formal qualification in Laboratory Medicine for those with an undergraduate background in science or health science.
The Master of Laboratory Medicine will provide experience in research, and is a potential pathway for students to enter postgraduate research degrees.
If you choose the Professional Experience Sequence, you will undertake your professional experience placement in host laboratories on mainland Australia (outside of Tasmania).
Learning outcomes
- Integrate and apply principles and concepts of laboratory medicine, testing and research methods to perform, analyse and interpret diagnostic laboratory tests; and evaluate and review quality systems and practice.
- Design, plan, and conduct laboratory investigations using appropriate research skills and techniques to gather, synthesise, and critically evaluate complex information from laboratory data and a range of relevant sources to solve laboratory medicine problems.
- Communicate laboratory medicine investigation and/or research findings as appropriate for professional and academic environments.
- Critically reflect on professional learning, and demonstrate effective, responsible, and safe work practices, in a medical laboratory with a high-level of autonomy and accountability, that meet the expected social, ethical and legal requirements associated with laboratory practice and patient care.
Career outcomes
Students will gain knowledge and a variety of skills in Laboratory Medicine professional areas such as: clinical chemistry, endocrinology, haematology, blood transfusion science, histopathology, medical microbiology, human molecular biology, and immunology. A Medical Scientist carries out laboratory investigations which assist in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
There are various career options open to biomedical and medical laboratory scientists, especially in hospital clinical and pathology laboratories, private pathology services, blood transfusion services, veterinary pathology laboratories and public health laboratories. Other areas of employment are found in universities and diagnostic companies.
Some students will be prepared to undertake further postgraduate training in biomedical research, leading to potential career options in research organisations.
Professional Recognition
The Master of Laboratory Medicine (Professional Experience Sequence) is accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS).
Graduates from this course meet the academic requirements for direct entry into the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.
Course structure
During two years of full-time study, students complete the equivalent of 12, 12.5 credit-point units: three in the first semester, seven over the next two semesters, and a 25-credit point (double) unit in the fourth semester.
Calendar Year 1, Semester 2 (First semester of study)
In Haematology 1, you will study blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood diseases, including the aetiology, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention of blood diseases such as leukaemia, anaemia, haemophilia and deep vein thrombosis.In the first half of the unit you…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
In this unit you will explore how bacterial characteristics can be used as part of an identification strategy in a clinical microbiology laboratory. Module 1 examines how bacteria regulate their behavior, communicate and multiply using various metabolic & genetic regulation…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CXA641 General and Medical Microbiology
The unit CXA651, Clinical Chemistry 1 will provide you with a thorough knowledge of: quality assurance, including sources of error; use and establishment of reference ranges; collection, preservation, transportation and storage of specimens for analysis; preparation of laboratory method manuals.…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Calendar Year 2, Semester 1 and 2 (Second and third semester of study)
This unit will introduce you to the fundamental theoretical and practical concepts and principles of histology. The unit provides you with an in-depth study of histological methodologies including fixation, decalcification, processing and section cutting of normal tissues and techniques to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
Professional Experience Sequence
This unit develops the pathological processes that underlie various human diseases. You will recognise common pathological conditions. In addition, histopathological methods and microscopic recognition are used to demonstrate bacterial and fungal infections, amyloidosis, pigments andneoplasia. Immunohistochemistry will be studied theoretically…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit extends the student's understanding of the concepts of genetics and molecular biology obtained in CXA171 Cell Biology and Function and CXA262 Cell and Molecular Biochemistry. The unit focuses on medical molecular genetics, providing detailed study of genetic mutations…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Expands on the understanding of biochemistry obtained in CXA261 Metabolic Biochemistry, concentrated at a molecular level. The unit is a comprehensive study of regulation of cellular metabolism and signalling along with a detailed study of the molecular mechanisms of genetic…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
In this unit, you will integrate and extend prior knowledge and skills about the laboratory differentiation of normal and abnormal haematological health conditions gained in CXA631 Haematology 1. You will systematically investigate the causes, laboratory investigations and treatment of anaemia…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit covers the major blood group systems of relevance to human blood transfusion and the theoretical basis of common transfusion testing practices. We explore the donation of blood products and the management of transfusion services and study in detail,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Introduces students to diagnostic medical bacteriology. Skills taught include: processing of clinical specimens, recognition of normal microbiota, identification of pathogens and the undertaking of appropriate antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Students learn: aspects of laboratory safety, epidemiology, pathogenesis and control of infectious…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit has been designed to systematically introduce the students to the common and diagnostically important fungal, parasitic and viral diseases of major organ systems in humans. The unit content is primarily concerned with laboratory diagnostic aspects of the above…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
The purpose of CXA652 is to provide you with the knowledge and skills to conduct and interpret laboratory analyses in the areas covered in the curriculum. An important part of the unit involves contextualising quality assurance in diagnostic laboratories for…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
Endocrinology is a specialised area of study in Clinical Chemistry and investigates the hormonal control mechanisms and regulation of metabolism and growth within the body. The study of endocrinology builds on many topics studied previously in Clinical Chemistry 1 and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CXA653 Clinical Chemistry 3 (endocrinology)
and choose two of the following streams
Haematology
In this unit, you will integrate and extend prior knowledge and skills about the laboratory differentiation of normal and abnormal haematological health conditions gained in CXA631 Haematology 1. You will systematically investigate the causes, laboratory investigations and treatment of anaemia…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit covers the major blood group systems of relevance to human blood transfusion and the theoretical basis of common transfusion testing practices. We explore the donation of blood products and the management of transfusion services and study in detail,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Microbiology
Introduces students to diagnostic medical bacteriology. Skills taught include: processing of clinical specimens, recognition of normal microbiota, identification of pathogens and the undertaking of appropriate antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Students learn: aspects of laboratory safety, epidemiology, pathogenesis and control of infectious…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit has been designed to systematically introduce the students to the common and diagnostically important fungal, parasitic and viral diseases of major organ systems in humans. The unit content is primarily concerned with laboratory diagnostic aspects of the above…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Clinical Chemistry
The purpose of CXA652 is to provide you with the knowledge and skills to conduct and interpret laboratory analyses in the areas covered in the curriculum. An important part of the unit involves contextualising quality assurance in diagnostic laboratories for…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
Endocrinology is a specialised area of study in Clinical Chemistry and investigates the hormonal control mechanisms and regulation of metabolism and growth within the body. The study of endocrinology builds on many topics studied previously in Clinical Chemistry 1 and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CXA653 Clinical Chemistry 3 (endocrinology)
Research Sequence
CXA701 Guided Research A. This unit is the first research unit in the Master of Laboratory Medicine program. Students will conduct a search of current scientific literature related to an area of biomedical science research currently conducted in the School…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Spring school | ||||
This unit is the second research unit in the Master of Laboratory Medicine (Research Sequence). Students will further develop and implement the research plan developed in Guided Research A to explore an issue related to biomedical science research currently conducted…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Spring school | ||||
and choose two of the following streams
Haematology
In this unit, you will integrate and extend prior knowledge and skills about the laboratory differentiation of normal and abnormal haematological health conditions gained in CXA631 Haematology 1. You will systematically investigate the causes, laboratory investigations and treatment of anaemia…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit covers the major blood group systems of relevance to human blood transfusion and the theoretical basis of common transfusion testing practices. We explore the donation of blood products and the management of transfusion services and study in detail,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Microbiology
Introduces students to diagnostic medical bacteriology. Skills taught include: processing of clinical specimens, recognition of normal microbiota, identification of pathogens and the undertaking of appropriate antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Students learn: aspects of laboratory safety, epidemiology, pathogenesis and control of infectious…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit has been designed to systematically introduce the students to the common and diagnostically important fungal, parasitic and viral diseases of major organ systems in humans. The unit content is primarily concerned with laboratory diagnostic aspects of the above…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Clinical Chemistry
The purpose of CXA652 is to provide you with the knowledge and skills to conduct and interpret laboratory analyses in the areas covered in the curriculum. An important part of the unit involves contextualising quality assurance in diagnostic laboratories for…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
Endocrinology is a specialised area of study in Clinical Chemistry and investigates the hormonal control mechanisms and regulation of metabolism and growth within the body. The study of endocrinology builds on many topics studied previously in Clinical Chemistry 1 and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CXA653 Clinical Chemistry 3 (endocrinology)
Calendar Year 3, Semester 1 (Fourth semester of study)
Year 3 Professional Experience Sequence
This is a professional experience placement (PEP) unit, undertaken off campus in diagnostic pathology laboratories in New South Wales, accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), or equivalent. Over a 16-week period, students experience core and specialised areas…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Summer school (early) | ||||
View all details for CXA704 Laboratory Medicine Professional Experience Placement
Year 3 Research Sequence
CXA703 Guided Research C. This unit is the third and final research unit in the Master of Laboratory Medicine research program. Students will continue to undertake an approved Guided Research Project on an issue related to biomedical science and related…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Spring school | ||||
Entry requirements
For Domestic Students
This course is available on campus only. Due to a technical issue in the application system you will see an option for “off campus”. Please do not select this option: Only select “on-campus”.
Successful completion of a first degree in Biochemistry or a Medical Science, Health Science, Science or other related discipline, with a credit average, including studies of Biochemistry/Physiology at second year and some first or second year Immunology and Microbiology.^
^ Students may have undertaken Immunology or Microbiology in an undergraduate degree program at either first or second year, depending on the nature of the program.
NOTE: Students who have completed the Bachelor of Biomedical Science/ Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine at the University of Tasmania or any other AIMS accredited course are not eligible for entry to this course, due to the comparable nature of the professional stream units. These students are recommended to undertake Honours to gain research experience.
Safety in Practice Compliance
All students enrolling in College of Health and Medicine programs which include a professional experience placement component, laboratory and/or field activity are required to establish and maintain their capacity to practice safely via Safety in Practice Requirements documentation. Please note, students in Laboratory Medicine courses are required to either provide evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B or administration of at least the first dose of a three dose course of Hepatitis B vaccination, by the start of the second week of their degree. Students must bring all documentation relating to Hepatitis B vaccination and immunity (in English) with them when they commence the course. Details on Hepatitis B vaccination and immunity can be found here .
For International Students
Admission to most postgraduate coursework courses at the University of Tasmania require qualifications equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree. Applicants must achieve the required grade in their qualifying studies, meet any prerequisite subjects, and meet English language requirements to be eligible for an offer.
English Language Requirements
For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.
Course Specific Requirements
Successful completion of a first degree in Biochemistry or a Medical Science, Health Science, Science or other related discipline, with a credit average, including studies of Biochemistry/Physiology at second year and some first or second year Immunology and Microbiology.^
^ Students may have undertaken Immunology or Microbiology in an undergraduate degree program at either first or second year, depending on the nature of the program.
NOTE: Students who have completed the Bachelor of Biomedical Science/ Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine at the University of Tasmania or any other AIMS accredited course are not eligible for entry to this course, due to the comparable nature of the professional stream units. These students are recommended to undertake Honours to gain research experience.
Safety in Practice Compliance
All students enrolling in College of Health and Medicine programs which include a professional experience placement component, laboratory and/or field activity are required to establish and maintain their capacity to practice safely via Safety in Practice Requirements documentation. Please note, students in Laboratory Medicine courses are required to either provide evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B or administration of at least the first dose of a three dose course of Hepatitis B vaccination, by the start of the second week of their degree. Students must bring all documentation relating to Hepatitis B vaccination and immunity (in English) with them when they commence the course. Details on Hepatitis B vaccination and immunity can be found here.
Articulation to
Students who decide they do not wish to undertake the research component can transfer to the Graduate Diploma of Laboratory Medicine.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Domestic students enrolled in a full fee paying place are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the fees you pay for each unit you enrol in. Full fee paying domestic students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Detailed tuition fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Domestic students enrolled in certain postgraduate coursework programs may not be eligible for student payments through Youth Allowance and Austudy. Visit the Department of Social Services website to find out more about eligibility for Centrelink support and the list of eligible courses
International students
2022 Total Course Fee (international students): $ 57,589 AUD *.
Course cost based on a rate of $37,950 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
International students
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries