Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine (Honours)

Studying the only degree in SA accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS) will see you graduate with the knowledge and skills to enter the exciting world of diagnostic pathology or research.

Your work will have a vital bearing on the welfare of patients, supporting clinicians in the diagnosis, management and treatment of disease, conducting research into causes and cures of disease, and developing improved methods for disease detection.

You will gain practical experience in our on-campus laboratories and have the opportunity to practice these skills in real-world clinical settings when you complete industry experience across your third and fourth years.

Students can undertake clinical placement in public and private pathology in metropolitan and regional locations, as well as veterinary, forensic science and translational research laboratories.

Students may additionally qualify to participate in overseas study tours to gain insights into diagnostic pathology and medical research in countries such as Myanmar.

The honours component of this degree focuses higher level studies which includes research training, which will see you complete research preparation and project courses in your fourth year.

What you'll need Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements.

These include criminal history clearance, a Working with Children Check and immunisation requirements.

Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent AND

• Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
• Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
• Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

OR Higher education study

• Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
• Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above

OR Vocational Education and Training (VET)

• Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Diploma level or above

OR Work and life experience

• Qualify for Special Entry, or
• Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
• Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

One of the following:

Assumed Knowledge

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, a Working with Children Check and immunisation requirements. Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

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.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

Practical field placements are a great opportunity for you to begin to build your network of industry contacts – in fact, some of our students secure employment before they graduate because of the industry relationships built during this time.

You will also work alongside experienced researchers when you complete research preparation and project courses during your final year. This affiliation will provide you with exceptional learning and networking opportunities.

We host regular University-wide employee master classes and employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

Your career

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:

• diagnostic pathology
• histopathology
• forensic science
• immunology
• virology
• transfusion science
• haematology
• cytology
• clinical biochemistry
• medical microbiology
• research
• product manufacturing
• public health and health management
• veterinary medicine
• universities and other educational institutions
• government policy.

As an honours student 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.

Where can my interest in science take me?

View our guide on Science Careers for more information.

Applying to study with us:

• go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

• academic counselling
• personal counselling
• social support services, including family support and nearby childcare

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.

As a laboratory medicine student, you will have access to on-campus purpose-built laboratories including:

• Histopathology and haematology
• Microbiology and immunology
• Chemistry
• Biochemistry and molecular biology