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.

What you'll learn

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.

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.

Professional accreditation and recognition

The program is fully accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS), and graduates are entitled to Graduate Membership of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists (AACB).

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM).