Graduate Diploma in Laboratory Medicine - Frequently Asked Questions

To help you decide if the Graduate Diploma in Laboratory Medicine at RMIT is right for you, this Frequently Asked Questions page incorporates many of the questions that have been directed to our selection officers over the past few years. It will be regularly updated as we receive further queries which have not already been addressed.

Questions are grouped under headings below:

Length of Program

What is the length of the Program?

Students undertake the program on a one-year full time basis if they are able to take majors using pre-requisite studies from a previous degree. For example, if you majored in Biochemistry you would be able to enter the Clinical Biochemistry major; if you majored in Microbiology you would be able to enter the Medical Microbiology major. International students must study the program full time.

Alternatively, the program can be taken part-time over two to three years. This allows students to undertake appropriate pre-requisite studies in the first year in preparation for their clinical major in second year. For example, Haematology 1 followed by Haematology major in second year; Histopathology and Cytopathology, followed by the Histopathology or Cytopathology major in second year.

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Program Fees

How much does it cost to do this program?

This is a full-fee paying program. The fee for 2006 is $17,280. Part time students pay the fee on a pro-rata basis. Students are able to make their payments using the FEE-HELP scheme. For further information, see the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) website.

There are also a small number of CSP (Commonwealth Supported Place) equity places available, which enable reduced costs based on evidence of low income and other Equity criteria. Applications for these places must take place prior to the first round closing date, which is 10 November for 2005.

The International student fee for 2006 is $21,120.

Mode of Delivery

Where do you study the program?

All courses* are offered during the day on the Bundoora campus. All courses* are supported with learning materials that can be accessed online. As this is a vocationally oriented program, there is a strong focus on the practical component of courses*. These require attendance on campus.

^{*Please note: course/s = subject/s}

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Exemptions

What exemptions are available for previous study?

The only exemption available is for General Pathology, where students have majored in Pathology in their undergraduate program. [Note: students who have graduated from the RMIT Bachelor of Applied Science (Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences) program may be eligible for additional exemptions up to a maximum of 48 credit points].

Articulation

What articulation pathways are available?

Graduates from the Masters in Biotechnology (Clinical Microbiology stream) may be offered credit of up to 48 credit points towards the Graduate Diploma in Laboratory Medicine.

Graduates from the Graduate Diploma in Laboratory Medicine may be offered up to 96 credit points towards the Masters in Biotechnology.

Employment Prospects

What jobs are available at the end of the program?

Most graduates gain employment as diagnostic Medical Scientists in the various diagnostic disciplines of Laboratory Medicine in either hospital or private pathology laboratories. Recent graduates of the program are employed by the ACT Pathology Service in Canberra, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science in South Australia, Austin Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Box Hill Hospital, Pathcare in Geelong and Monash Medical Centre (see graduate profile)

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Work Experience

What work experience is involved in the program?

Once students have completed the pre-requisite course* for their major clinical discipline, they are able to apply for work experience positions in diagnostic laboratories either through the Division of Laboratory Medicine, or independently. The Division seeks work experience positions that students can undertake on a voluntary basis for up to a maximum of three months over the long break (December to February), or on a part time basis during the academic semesters. Positions negotiated through the Division allow students to be covered by RMIT for insurance purposes whilst in their laboratory placement. Students wishing to accept a position are required to enter into an undertaking with the Division that stipulates the conditions of their placement.

Students wishing to take up a voluntary work experience position on immediate completion of their academic program must enrol in a Laboratory Medicine work experience short course through RMIT Training to ensure that they are covered by the RMIT insurance policies.

Students must be aware that they cannot be guaranteed of a work experience position, as these are dependent on laboratories being able to take students for training purposes.

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Graduate Recognition

What recognition will I have on completion of this program?

Graduates of the program are recognised for intermediate membership of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS). They are also eligible for membership of discipline-specific organisations such as the Australian Association of Clinical Biochemists (AACB), Australian Society of Microbiologists (ASM) and the Australian Society of Cytologists (ASC).

Graduates of the program are also recognised for employment as Medical Scientists under the Medical Scientists Association of Victoria industrial award.

Further Study

What are the opportunities for further study in Laboratory Medicine?

Students may enter the Honours program or progress to the Masters in Biotechnology and be granted an exemption of up to 50% of that program.

Graduates are eligible to apply for the online Masters in Medical Science after completion of an appropriate period of work experience (usually one year). The work experience may be undertaken during enrolment in the Graduate Diploma or after graduation.

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