Course details

Summary

Medical laboratory scientists provide an essential role in the world of health science. As specialised health professionals, medical laboratory scientists provide information about a patient's state of health that is vital to the diagnosis of disease and monitoring of its treatment. The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science prepares you for a career in this exciting field.

You will develop skills in accurate observation and the collection, recording and interpretation of test results. Once you have completed this degree and fulfilled requirements of the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand, you can register and practise as a medical laboratory scientist.

Structure

Year 1

You will take eight compulsory papers: HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication; CHEM502 Biological Chemistry; MICR501 Microbiology; CHEM501 Principles of Chemistry; MELS501 Histology and Cytology; HEAL505 Human Anatomy and Physiology I; HEAL609 Human Anatomy and Physiology II; BIOL501 Biological Sampling and Interpretation.

Year 2

Papers cover the areas of biochemistry, genetics, clinical chemistry, haematology, medical microbiology, immunology and virology, transfusion science and molecular genetics:

CHEM602 Biochemistry; GENE601 Genetics; MELS601 Clinical Chemistry I; MELS602 Haematology I; MELS607 Medical Microbiology I; MELS605 Immunology and Virology; MELS606 Transfusion Science I; GENE701 Molecular Genetics.

Year 3

You study two medical laboratory science specialisation subjects in more depth, along with pathology, methods of research and professional practice and ethics. Specialisations can be chosen from: Clinical Chemistry, Haematology, Histology, Immunology, Medical Cytology, Medical Microbiology and Transfusion Science (not all are offered every year).

Year 3 papers: MELS603 Pathology I; MELS604 Pathology II; HEAL610 Methods of Research and Enquiry; HEAL708 Professional Practice and Ethics.

Plus select two specialising areas from the seven areas listed below:

• Clinical Chemistry (2 papers)
• Haematology (2 papers)
• Histology (2 papers)
• Immunology (2 papers)
• Medical Cytology (2 papers)
• Medical Microbiology (2 papers)
• Transfusion Science (2 papers)

Year 4

This year consists of two 15-week placements of 30 hours per week in New Zealand and/or Australia. New Zealand citizenship is required for a placement in Australia. AUT University cannot guarantee an Auckland placement.

Career opportunities

This degree prepares you for a career in a diagnostic laboratory. Registered medical laboratory scientists work in public hospitals and community laboratories doing diagnostic laboratory testing across all specialisations.

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

Entry criteria

Applicants must be 18 years old and have obtained a qualification equivalent to New Zealand year 13.

They must have the required subjects are Biology, Chemistry and Statistics and must be capable of meeting Health Practitioners Competence Assurance (HPCA) Act requirements and a Police clearance.

English Language requirements:

Minimum IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 overall with all bands 5.5 or higher; TOEFL iBT score of 80; Certificate in English for Academic Study (CertEAS) with B/B+ grade; GIE with B grade; CAE minimum overall score of 169; PTE minimum overall score of 50.