Laboratory Medicine - Degree

"Medical Lab Image" Undergraduate courses / programs offered in Melbourne (Victoria, Australia) include:

Bachelor of Applied Science (Laboratory Medicine)

The Laboratory Medicine degree at RMIT is a multidisciplinary program that provides education and training in all areas of laboratory medicine and pathology. The program is accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS)and internationally by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)in the UK. It offers a unique combination of academic, professional and work related experience, highly regarded by employers.

It also provides an excellent grounding for students interested in pursuing further studies in medicine or medical research.

Most graduates are employed as medical scientists in hospital and private diagnostic laboratories or medical research facilities. Their work involves the use of diagnostic and experimental procedures to assist in the investigation, identification and treatment of diseases. It involves laboratory investigations on biological materials where careful observations, analysis and interpretation are used to resolve medical questions.

Medical Laboratory Visits for VCE Students

Professional Practice in Laboratory Medicine Program

Features of the program

  • Clear vocational outcomes leading to employment as a diagnostic Medical Scientist in the field of Laboratory Medicine / Pathology.
  • Professionally accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.
  • Forty week Professional Practice placement in third year in diagnostic, reference or medical research laboratories in metropolitan and regional Victoria.
  • Opportunity to spend between 10 and 13 weeks of the Professional Practice placement in an approved overseas laboratory.
  • Financial support in the form of tax-free bursary / stipend whilst in placement (valued at $14,632 in 2008).
  • Opportunity to undertake a workplace assessed Certificate IV in Frontline Management concurrent with Professional Practice placement.
  • Pay only 25% HECS fees whilst undertaking Professional Practice.
  • Be taught by academic staff who are recognized for their excellence in quality teaching (3 Commonwealth and 3 RMIT Teaching Awards).
  • Graduate academic standards widely recognized for graduate studies, including graduate Medical School, at all universities.

If you are interested in the biological basis of disease, have an inquiring mind, an eye for detail and have a commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community, then you should consider the Laboratory Medicine program.

Areas of Specialisation in Laboratory Medicine

Areas of specialisation can lead to employment as Clinical Biochemists, Cytologists, Haematologists, Histologists, Transfusion Scientists, Medical Microbiologists and Molecular Scientists.

Clinical Biochemists: Study molecules found in the body and their reactions. This involves the chemical analysis of body fluids to help diagnose or monitor treatment of disease e.g. blood sugar levels in diabetes.

Cytologists: Examine cells found in body fluids or obtained from tissue surfaces. Investigations on PAP smears are important in the diagnosis of cervical cancer and of other disease processes.

Haematologists: Undertake investigations of blood to diagnose abnormalities of red cells e.g. anaemia, and of white cells e.g. leukaemia. Studies are also performed to investigate abnormalities of the coagulation system.

Histologists: Carry out procedures to prepare stained sections of tissues so that abnormal cells and tissue structure can be examined by light or electron microscopy, e.g. the detection of abnormal tissue structure in tumours such as melanomas.

Medical Microbiologists: Isolate and identify micro-organisms e.g. bacteria, viruses and fungi. The work of microbiologists includes identifying micro-organisms causing infection in humans (eg Legionella) and in animals, and investigation of the means by which micro-organisms cause disease.

Molecular Scientists: Employ molecular biology techniques to identify and investigate the genetic basis of many disease states, eg breast cancer. The techniques can also be applied in the detection and identification of infectious agents leading to disease.

Transfusion Scientists: Are responsible for the provision of compatible blood for transfusion, for the investigation of adverse responses in patients resulting from the transfusion of blood and blood products and the investigation of babies suffering from Haemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn.

Depending on the major disciplines in which students graduate they may also find employment in the fields of forensic science, biological / pharmaceutical research and development and associated manufacturing industries. Graduates are also well prepared for further study in other fields such as medicine through graduate medical school, complementary medicine (Chinese Medicine), education, and information technology.

Program structure

The undergraduate program is a four year degree providing education and training in all disciplines of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology.

Year One
Students undertake a range of courses designed to provide a firm academic grounding in biological sciences. They are also introduced to the professional field of Laboratory Medicine through a hospital laboratory visit and basic studies in the clinical disciplines. Importantly, students are supported in their transition to University by a course in Foundation Studies.

Year Two
This year provides more in-depth education and training in the major discipline of Laboratory Medicine. Students are introduced to the clinical disciplines of Haematology, Clinical Biochemistry, Histopathology, Cytopathology and Medical Microbiology in preparation for Professional Practice in third year. In addition, students study Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Immunology and General Pathology. Students will also choose one student elective from courses offered across the University.

Year Three
All students are required to complete a 40 week (minimum) period of supervised Professional Practice in a diagnostic, research or reference laboratory prior to graduation. During this placement students receive a bursary to cover living expenses. This full-time placement is conducted as a co-operative education year involving both the Discipline and the placement laboratory in the training of the student.

Opportunities exist for students to spend up to 13 weeks of their Professional Practice in an approved overseas laboratory during this year of the program. Students may also undertake their professional practice over the third and fourth years of the program whilst they study part-time. This may entail the student working part-time to enable them to complete the program over two years.

Year Four
Students undertake three compulsory courses in Systemic Pathology, Medical Genetics and Diagnostics, and Medical Informatics and Laboratory Management. In addition, they choose two major discipline streams. They must also choose a student elective, which may be a course from one of the other clinical streams.

Entrance Requirements

Australian resident applicants and International applicants are advised to consult RMIT’s Academic program information page for a full statement of entrance requirements.

Campus Information

For more information on different aspects of RMIT campuses and facilities, please click on the following links:

More Information

Program Coordinator Dr Andrew Wootton

For further information about this program please e-mail the School of Medical Sciences: medicalsciences@rmit.edu.au

The School of Medical Sciences offers students the opportunity to study a variety of postgraduate, degree, tertiary and higher education programs and courses at the Bundoora campus, Melbourne, Australia. A variety of online programs are also available.