Master of Laboratory Medicine
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years -
Location
Bundoora -
Fees
Next intake
February, July Entry score
IELTS 6.5
Duration
Full-time 2 years Location
Bundoora
Overview
Your career in laboratory medicine
Graduates are employed as medical scientists in the field of diagnostic pathology, as medical researchers, or as clinical investigators.
What you will study
You’ll specialise in two clinical pathology discipline streams. On graduation, you'll have high-level skills in analysis and knowledge integration relevant to your area of specialisation.
Details
Qualify for a career in diagnostic pathology and medical research. This program suits graduates from general science or biomedical science degrees with a biological science focus.
You’ll specialise in two clinical pathology discipline streams from the following options:
- clinical biochemistry
- cytopathology
- haematology
- histopathology
- medical microbiology
- transfusion and transplantation science
On graduation, you'll have high-level skills in analysis and knowledge integration relevant to your area of specialisation.
RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, laboratory reports, oral classes, presentations, group projects, research projects, laboratory projects, and practical assignments.
During the final semester of study, eligible students can undertake one full semester of supervised practice in either a medical research laboratory or a diagnostic pathology laboratory.
Inside the course experience
Our students achieve practical, industry-relevant outcomes using the up-to-date facilities at our Bundoora campus.
The School of Health and Biomedical Sciences has extensive links with industry through their program advisory committees (PACs) and through research projects and consulting.
Employers and industry professionals are members of these program advisory committees and have contributed to both the initial development and ongoing improvement of this program. Their involvement ensures that the program remains relevant to your needs as a graduate and to the needs of graduate employers.
Many of the teaching staff within the program are (or have been) practicing industry professionals with extensive industry experience and contact networks. This experience, when integrated into learning and teaching practice, enriches your learning environment.
The Master consists of 192 credit points. After completing 96 credit points of study approved by the Program Manager, you can exit with a graduate diploma.
The main intake for this program is Semester 2 (July).
Semester 2 commencement
Applicants without an undergraduate degree in laboratory medicine are advised to apply for Semester 2 (July).
If you study the program full-time, in your first semester you'll complete 4-core courses. During second semester you'll choose any two 24-credit point advanced courses. (Please note, only students with a strong medical microbiology background can select microbiology.)
In third semester you'll complete the Advanced Laboratory Medicine course which includes a laboratory-based project and a core course in biostatistics, plus an additional 12-credit point foundation course.
For your final semester, you can choose between undertaking professional practice placement or a research project (depending on availability).
Semester 1 commencement
Students with an undergraduate degree in laboratory medicine may apply to commence in Semester 1 (February/March).
Students with an undergraduate degree in science or biomedical science who have a strong background with third-year specialisation in biochemistry or microbiology may apply to commence in Semester 1.
If you study the program full-time, and have a strong biochemistry background, in your first semester you'll complete courses in advanced clinical biochemistry, histology and immunology.
During second semester you'll undertake the Advanced Laboratory Medicine course, which includes a laboratory-based project and studies in haematology and transfusion science and diagnostic microbiology.
In your third semester, depending on availability, you can choose between studies in advanced haematology or advanced transfusion and transplantation science or microbiology. You’ll also complete a course in biostatistics and a course in molecular genetics and diagnostics.
For your final semester, you can choose between undertaking professional practice placement or a research project (depending on availability).
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Laboratory Medicine | Bundoora Campus |
2 years Full Time
4 years Part Time
|
2 years Full Time
|
MC158 | 056171G |
Choose a program structure
Program code: MC158
Career
Medical scientists work in:
- hospital laboratories
- private pathology laboratories
- state health laboratories
- universities
In larger hospitals and private laboratories, medical scientists usually specialise in one professional discipline.
The ageing of the Australian population is expected to drive strong demand for pathology services and medical scientists.
Looking forward, employment for Medical Laboratory Scientists to November 2020 is expected to grow very strongly. (source: joboutlook.gov.au)
There is also a shortage of medical scientists in a number of countries worldwide.
Admissions
An Australian bachelor degree or equivalent in a cognate discipline (laboratory medicine, biomedical or biological sciences or medicine) with a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.0 out of 4.0
OR
An Australian bachelor degree or equivalent in a cognate discipline (laboratory medicine, biomedical or biological sciences or medicine) with at least five years of relevant work experience in diagnostic pathology
Note: Applicants will be selected competitively based on undergraduate and/or postgraduate grades, or, undergraduate and/or postgraduate grades combined with relevant work experience.
You must have successfully completed:
An Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in a cognate discipline (Laboratory Medicine, Biomedical or Biological Sciences, or Medicine) with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (out of 4.0);
or
An Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in a cognate discipline (Laboratory Medicine, Biomedical or Biological Sciences, or Medicine) with at least 5 years’ work experience in diagnostic pathology laboratory.
Entry requirements
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 92 (with minimum of 20 in all sections)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Applicants without an undergraduate degree in laboratory medicine are advised to apply for Semester 2 (July).
Students with an undergraduate degree in laboratory medicine may apply to commence in Semester 1 (February/March).
Students with undergraduate degree in science or biomedical science who have a strong background with third-year specialisation in biochemistry or microbiology may apply to commence in Semester 1.
Some inherent requirements for this program include:
- reading, writing and number skills for understanding and completing laboratory reports, calculating and measuring chemicals
- vision and hearing to accurately gain information and undertake laboratory tasks
- physical skills to perform laboratory tasks
- managing your behaviour and emotions to safely and competently conduct laboratory tasks
- time-based problem-solving when working on laboratory tasks
View the full list of the Master of Laboratory Medicine inherent requirements:
Some inherent requirements for this program include:
- reading, writing and number skills for understanding and completing laboratory reports, calculating and measuring chemicals
- vision and hearing to accurately gain information and undertake laboratory tasks
- physical skills to perform laboratory tasks
- managing your behaviour and emotions to safely and competently conduct laboratory tasks
- time-based problem-solving when working on laboratory tasks
View the full list of the Master of Laboratory Medicine inherent requirements:
Who are they for?
Inherent requirements apply to every applicant and may be worth considering if you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition.
Why do you need to know?
By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, and the non-academic abilities you may need in this program, you can:
- understand more about the program
- determine if you may need support during your studies
- make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you
What support is available?
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, please discuss this with RMIT program staff or the Equitable Learning Services (ELS).
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we may be able to support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.
To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with ELS.
Pathways
Fees
In 2019, if you are enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is betweenAU$6,566 to AU$10,958*.
The indicative annual tuition fee for full-fee places in 2019 is AU$30,720* per annum
How much you’ll pay will depend on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place or a full-fee place. Entry for this program is primarily through Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs). Government financial assistance is available to eligible students regardless of the type of place you enrol in.
*Fees shown above apply to 2019 only and are based on an annual full-time study load of 96 credit points unless otherwise noted. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load. Tuition fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
For more information and to learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees see postgraduate study fees.
If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.
Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.
In 2018, the annual student contribution amount you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,444 and AU$10,754. As a CSP student, you may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which allows you to defer payment of up to 100% of your student contribution.
For further information and to learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees see Fees for Commonwealth supported students.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP, HECS-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You will only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
This program is approved for income support.
You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.
If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or the Department of Human Services for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2019 is $303.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2019 is AU$36,480.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$73,920.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.