Laboratory medicine teaches you about pathology (the origin, nature and course of disease) and the diagnosis of disease.

Your first year is interprofessional and taken with other health sciences students. Your second year develops your knowledge of the cellular and tissue aspects of pathology, and the individual disciplines of laboratory medicine.

In your third and fourth years, you'll gain extensive field experience and focus on three of the following major disciplines: clinical biochemistry, diagnostic cytology, haematology and transfusion science, histopathology, immunology and medical microbiology.

You'll learn in Curtin's new PC2 laboratory facility, where you can analyse clinical samples, process pathogenic microorganisms in biosafety cabinets and report results in the same way as a real pathology laboratory.

You'll also develop your practical skills when you undertake a 28-week professional placement in a diagnostic pathology laboratory.

Why study

• Choose from six major areas of specialisation.
• Learn in high-quality laboratories and facilities.
• Accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.
• Professional placement in a diagnostic pathology laboratory.

Professional recognition

Professionally recognised by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.

Careers

• Medical scientist.

Industries

• Community health
• Education
• Health technology
• Manufacturing
• Private and public hospitals
• Research centres and laboratories.