Overview 2024
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Prepare yourself to work in specialised medical and pathology laboratories that provide essential diagnostic services. You'll gain knowledge and a variety of practical laboratory skills in clinical chemistry, haematology, blood transfusion science, genomics, microbiology, histopathology, human molecular biology, and more.
This professionally accredited course prepares you for your future career by including hands-on laboratory experience, with each unit containing an average of three hours of practical laboratory experience per week.
In your final semester, you’ll participate in a 16-week Professional Experience Placement (PEP). This work-integrated learning approach allows you to practice newly acquired skills, behaviours, and knowledge in an active workplace environment, immersing you in a professional healthcare setting to gain a better understanding of the roles of professionals within the health care system.
You will undertake your professional experience placement in host laboratories on mainland Australia (outside of Tasmania), and we will help facilitate this connection to ensure it is a smooth and rewarding experience.
These experiences have led our students to respond with 100% satisfaction to their work readiness provided by this degree in 2022*. Coupled with high demand in hospital and private pathology laboratories, blood transfusion services, public health and specialised laboratories, and animal health laboratories, our students both stand out from the crowd, and have often secured great jobs prior to graduation.
*Student Experience Survey 2022
Course objectives
The Master of Laboratory Medicine is designed to prepare you to work in specialised medical and pathology laboratories that provide diagnostic services that are an essential part of the health care system. The tests performed provide valuable information that is used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
With the skills and knowledge delivered by this course, you may find yourself providing vital diagnostic services as part of a small remote team in a regional hospital, or contributing more specialised skills as part of the combined operations of a large laboratory in a major city.
This degree can also be used to launch a career in medical research, veterinary laboratories, diagnostic and pharmaceutical companies or health management. Your skills and knowledge are recognised internationally, and you can forge an exciting career in in pathology laboratories around the world.
Learning Outcomes
Practical experience
Unmatched access to industry-standard equipment
To ensure our graduates are prepared for their future careers, we provide an exceptional level of practical, hands-on experiences with the latest laboratory medicine equipment.
Ensuring your learning stays at the cutting edge, we’re always upgrading our equipment to make sure that it is aligned with the expectations and demands of the industry. Recently, we have secured a new biochemistry analyser, haematology analyser, coagulation analyser, and PCR analysis system. These are all available for you to utilise during your studies, alongside our active researchers who also use them in their research.
Each unit of study contains an average of three hours of practical laboratory experience per week, and those experiences run with a maximum 20:1 student/staff ratio, meaning more hands-on time so you are confident as a graduate.
We’re proud that these opportunities have led our students to rank our laboratory equipment and teaching spaces with 100% satisfaction in the latest Student Experience Survey results.
Professional experience placement
During the final semester of this course, you will participate in a 16-week Professional Experience Placement (PEP) at an NATA accredited laboratory.
This work integrated learning approach enables students to practise newly acquired skills, behaviours and knowledge in a workplace environment. The aim of PEP is to immerse you in a professional healthcare setting, to gain a better understanding of the roles of professionals within the health care system.
This placement is undertaken off campus in an accredited diagnostic pathology laboratory. There, you’ll further develop your practical laboratory skills and contribute to patient care via the provision of laboratory results. This placement also provided valuable networking opportunities, and may lead to employment after graduation.
We will help you by identifying a host laboratory, and connecting you with your laboratory supervisor.
Work placement
Professional experience placement
During the final semester of this course, you will participate in a 16-week Professional Experience Placement (PEP) at an NATA accredited laboratory. This work integrated learning approach enables students to practise newly acquired skills, behaviours and knowledge in a workplace environment. The aim of PEP is to immerse you in a professional healthcare setting, to gain a better understanding of the roles of professionals within the health care system.
This placement is undertaken off campus in an accredited diagnostic pathology laboratory. There, you’ll further develop your practical laboratory skills and contribute to patient care via the provision of laboratory results. This placement also provided valuable networking opportunities, and may lead to employment after graduation.
We will help you by identifying a host laboratory, and connecting you with your laboratory supervisor.
Career outcomes
The culmination of my studies was a 16-week internship in the Northern Territory, as recommended by my course coordinator, that shaped my future career. This hands-on experience across two hospitals and weekly reflection on the activities was not only rewarding, but it also opened the door to a job offer.
You will graduate with practical laboratory medicine skills and knowledge that will put you in high demand both in Australia, and around the world. Hospital and private pathology laboratories, blood transfusion services, public health and specialised laboratories, and animal health laboratories all need graduates, meaning you can seek rewarding and fulfilling employment close to home, or look to use your skills to travel around the world.
Thanks to the breadth of laboratory medicine disciplines covered in your learning, exceptional level of practical experience, and 16-week Professional Experience Placement, many of our students have secured employment prior to graduation. We’re proud that our students ranked us with 100% satisfaction for skill development and work readiness in the recent Student Experience Survey, demonstrating that what we offer prepares you for your future career.
You may also choose to pursue further postgraduate training in biomedical research, leading to potential career options in research organisations.
Professional Accreditation
The Master of Laboratory Medicine is a professionally accredited degree. This course is accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS).
Graduates meet the requirements for Graduate membership of AIMS and can progress to full membership on the completion of 2-years postgraduate medical laboratory experience. For further membership requirements, please visit the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists website.
If you have any queries about the accreditation process, please contact us for further information.
Course structure
The Master of Laboratory Medicine provides you with core learning and skill development in all relevant laboratory medicine disciplines including clinical chemistry, haematology, blood transfusion science, genomics, microbiology, histopathology, human molecular biology.
In your final semester, you will undertake the 16-week Professional Experience Placement where you can practise your newly acquired skills, behaviours and knowledge in a workplace environment.
Year 1
Year One - First study period (all students commence in Semester Two)
The unit accommodates students with varied prior knowledge of molecular biology with an introductory module on basic molecular biology concepts and then focuses on medical molecular genetics, providing detailed study of genetic mutations, inheritance patterns of genetic diseases and laboratory…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
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…
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 behaviour, 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 and the preparation of laboratory…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Year One - Second study period
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 | ||||
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 | ||||
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 continues from CXA651 and is designed to extend student theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of clinical biochemistry. The unit covers the pathological changes that occur in tissues and cells and how these changes can be detected…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
Year 2
Year Two - First study period
In this unit you will integrate and apply learning from previous clinical laboratory medicine units, about the diagnosis and management of complex diseases. A whole of laboratory approach is used to explain the relationship between pathology results and the pathology/pathophysiology…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
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 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 | ||||
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 | ||||
Year Two - Second study period
This is a professional experience placement (PEP) unit, undertaken while off campus in diagnostic pathology laboratories accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), or equivalent. Students develop a holistic view of the role of the diagnostic pathology laboratory…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This is a professional experience placement (PEP) unit undertaken off campus in diagnostic pathology laboratories accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), or equivalent. You are subject to the rules and regulations of your host laboratory, supervised by…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This is a professional experience placement (PEP) unit, undertaken off campus in diagnostic pathology laboratories accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), or equivalent. Students are subject to the rules and regulations of your host laboratory, supervised by…
Credit Points: 25
This unit is currently unavailable.
Entry requirements
For Domestic students
Applicants must have successfully completed a first degree in Biochemistry, a Medical Science, or Health Science or other related discipline, with a minimum GPA of 5.0 on a 7.0 scale.
Within their completed degree, applicants must have successfully completed study in:
- Biochemistry,
- Physiology, and
- Immunology.
SAFETY IN PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS
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
Applicants must have successfully completed a first degree in Biochemistry, a Medical Science, or Health Science or other related discipline, with a minimum GPA of 5.0 on a 7.0 scale.
Within their completed degree, applicants must have successfully completed study in:
- Biochemistry,
- Physiology, and
- Immunology.
IELTS (Academic) - 6.5 average with no individual band less than 6.5. We will accept comparable scores from equivalent English language tests.
SAFETY IN PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS
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.
Credit transfer
Applications for credit can be made in your course application. Find out more information about how to apply for a credit transfer/advanced standing at Recognition of Prior Learning.
Articulation
This course does not currently articulate with any other course.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
This is a full-fee course, which means you’ll need to pay the entire amount for your studies. Commonwealth supported places are not available in this postgraduate course. However, there are still support options available for eligible students to help you manage the cost of studying this course.
You may be able to fund all or part of your tuition fees by accessing a FEE-HELP loan from the Australian Government. FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists domestic full-fee students to pay for University, which is repaid through the Australian Tax System once you earn above a repayment threshold. This means you’ll only have to start repaying the loan once you start earning above a specific amount.
Our scholarships and prizes program also offers more than 400 scholarships across all areas of study. You can even apply for multiple scholarships in one easy application.
An important note on Youth Allowance and AustudyThe Department of Social Services has approved some accredited and professionally oriented Masters courses for student payments through Youth Allowance or Austudy. This means if you enrol in one of these courses, you may be eligible for student payments. However, please be aware that this is not the case for all Master courses. Please visit our Scholarships, Fees and Costs website for further information.
Further informationDetailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the 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
2024 Total Course Fee (international students): $ 79,263 AUD *.
Course cost based on a rate of $38,950 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
- 13 8827 (13 UTAS)
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries