Medical laboratory scientists are specialised health professionals who provide vital information about a patient’s state of health. Their input is vital in the diagnosis of disease and in monitoring its treatment.

You will gain skills in accurate observation, and in the collection and recording of test results. After you have completed the degree and fulfilled certain conditions stipulated by the Medical Laboratory Science Board, you will be able to register and practise as a medical laboratory scientist.

This degree is accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists, therefore enabling you to work in Australia.

Programme Code: AK3432
Level: 7
Points: 480
Duration: Four years full time / Equivalent part time
Venue: City Campus
Starting date: 3 March 2008
Application deadline: 16 November 2007

AUT encourages early application.
Late applications will be accepted if the programme is not full.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• University Entrance, including
  NCEA: 14 Level 3 credits in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics including Statistics
  CIE: Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics including Statistics

Note: Entrance to university does not guarantee admission to a specific programme of study.

SPECIAL ADMISSION

Applicants over 20 years of age who do not hold a university entrance qualification (such as NCEA or CIE above) may qualify for university entrance via Special Admission.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for whom English or Māori is not their first language are required to provide proof of an acceptable pass/grade gained in an accepted English language test. 

SPECIALISATIONS:

Clinical Chemistry
Haematology
Histology
Immunology
Medical Cytology
Medical Microbiology
Transfusion Science

THE KEY SKILLS YOU WILL ACQUIRE

• Accurate observation
• Collection and recording of results of tests
• Interpretation of test results

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

This degree prepares you for a career in a diagnostic laboratory or a medically related occupation. Registered medical laboratory scientists work in public hospitals and private laboratories. Their work consists of Diagnostic laboratory testing in all specialisations. Other career paths include:

• Laboratory management
• Diagnostic reagent manufacture
• Marketing of medical equipment and reagents

FURTHER STUDIES

Graduate Certificate in Applied Science
Graduate Diploma in Applied Science
Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours)
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science
Master of Applied Science
Master of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy

PAPERS

FIRST YEAR
145611 Scientific Communication 5
715184 Statistical Models 5
775111 Microbiology
775212 Organic Chemistry I
775214 General Chemistry
775511 Histological Techniques
775613 Human Anatomy and Physiology IA
775614 Human Anatomy and Physiology IB

SECOND YEAR
775102 Biological Chemistry
776115 Genetics
776511 Clinical Chemistry I
776513 Haematology I
776515 Medical Microbiology I
776520 Immunology and Virology
776521 Transfusion Science I
777120 Molecular Genetics

THIRD YEAR
776518 Pathology I
776519 Pathology II
777003 Research Project
PLUS:
1st Specialisation A
1st Specialisation B
2nd Specialisation A
2nd Specialisation B
FROM THE FOLLOWING:
777531 Clinical Chemistry II
777532-Clinical Chemistry III
777533-Haematology II
777534-Haematology III
777535-Immunology II
777536-Immunology III
777537-Medical-Microbiology II
777538-Medical-Microbiology III
777539-Transfusion-Science II
777540-Transfusion-Science III
777542-Histology
Note: Some specialisations have limited places or are not offered every year, so students cannot necessarily be guaranteed their preferred choice.

YEAR FOUR
Clinical Placement (Medical Laboratory Science Clinical Training papers).
Please note that clinical placement may be anywhere in New Zealand or Australia and AUTUniversity cannot guarantee an Auckland placement.
All year four final examinations are held at the end of the year.