Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine - University of South Australia

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Aim

The program is designed to prepare students for a career in diagnostic medical, research or other similar laboratories. The Honours stream aims to augment academic and practical skills of higher achieving students and to provide research training and experience appropriate to employment in research positions or as a basis for further study towards higher degrees by research.

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to have:

• qualified for the SACE, and
• have recorded achievement in five SACE courses taken at Stage 2 level; and 
• included at least four Stage 2 subjects that are approved Higher Education Selection Subjects (HESS);
• obtained an achievement score of 10 or better for the prerequisite subject, Stage 2 Chemistry*; 
• obtained a competitive TER.

Alternatively, the minimum educational requirements may be met by those who have:

• completed the equivalent secondary education qualifications as required for University entrance under SACE;
• completed or partly completed a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution;
• completed at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) subjects at the appropriate level;
• completed a recognised TAFE Diploma;
• completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• qualified for Special Entry;
• completed the Health Sciences stream of the UniSA Foundation Studies program.

Prerequisite:  Stage 2 SACE Chemistry or equivalent for all applicants.

English language entry requirements
In addition, International students who speak English as a foreign language must satisfy the following:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic): Overall score of 6.5 obtained within the last two years or corresponding results from an equivalent test such as TOEFL or the appropriate Academic English language level delivered at CELUSA;
OR
Successful completion of a secondary qualification in Australia within the last two years;
OR
Successful completion of at least one year of tertiary study in Australia within the last two years;
OR
Successful completion of one year of secondary or tertiary study conducted and completed in English within the last two years in a country in which:

• English is an official language as determined by the University.

Content/structure

The first two years provide a comprehensive coverage of physical and biomedical science followed in the third and fourth years by instruction and practical experience in the major disciplines in pathology. The Honours stream consists of a program of prescribed reading, seminars, lectures and a major research project. The total number of units required to complete the program is 144.

Professional recognition

The program is fully accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists. Successful completion of the program renders applicants eligible to join the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists, Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists and the Australian Society for Microbiology.

Honours

An Honours stream, which replaces the one year of professional practice, is available to students achieving a credit level average in courses in the first two and a half years of the program. Students undertaking the Honours stream gain experience in medical research and are required to complete a program of prescribed reading, seminars, lectures and a major research project.  Students who successfully complete the Honours stream will be awarded the Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine with Honours.

Fee information

Fees for International students: $AU 20,275 per 1.0 EFTSL for students commencing in 2010.
Fees are calculated on a per Unit basis with 1.0 EFTSL = 36 Units.
Fees for International students are determined one year in advance and are subject to variation.

Program requirements

Rules

1. Police Checks: All students in the Division of Health Sciences who undertake field or clinical placements, or participate in University clinics as part of their program, must have had a police clearance prior to the commencement of any placement or clinic activity.
2. Credit for previous studies or exemption from work within courses may be granted in accordance with University policy. The maximum credit allowed is normally up to three-quarters of the total units of the program.
3. An appropriate immunisation profile is required prior to clinical placement.
4. Students are required to satisfy the standard of dress and behaviour prescribed by institutions in which clinical placements are undertaken. Failure to satisfy such obligations may prevent them from fulfilling the requirements for completion of the program.

Notes

1. This course will normally comprise two blocks of 13 weeks duration.
   
2. Students are required to undertake clinical practice courses in an approved pathology laboratory. Placement outside South Australia may be allowed.
   
3. Admission into the Honours stream is offered in accordance with University Policy. A quota for places into the Honours stream may be applied.
   
4. Students accepted into the Honours stream enrol in the courses Honours Laboratory Medicine 301A/B and 400A/B. These courses are taken in place of Clinical Practice 301A/B and 400A/B.
   
5. Completion of the Honours project may require up to 40 weeks.
   
6. The Honours stream can only be undertaken full-time.
   
7. Students who are employed in an appropriate laboratory setting may be granted full credit in Clinical Practice 301A/B and Clinical Practice 400 A/B.
   
8. Students granted full credit in Clinical Practice 301 A/B and Clinical Practice 400 A/B and who successfully complete courses in Study Period 2, third year are permitted to enrol in the corresponding fourth year, Study Period 5 courses (i.e. they are exempt from the requirements to complete all third year Study Period 2 courses before enrolling in any fourth year Study Period 4 courses), viz...
        Microbiology 300 - Microbiology 401
        Molecular Pathology 300 - Biochemistry 401
        Histopathology 300 - Histopathology 401
        Transfusion and Haemostasis 300 - Haematology 401