Modern medical practice and advancement relies on the work of medical laboratory scientists. Discover how medical and clinical research supports increased capacity for diagnosis, development of new treatments and improved pathology investigation. Be equipped to work at the forefront of healthcare research and make a difference to communities in tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous contexts. In the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours), you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the relationship between microbiological, haematological and chemical testing in disease diagnosis across clinical and healthcare settings. You’ll explore many fields of medical science including microbiology, histology, molecular biology, haematology and transfusion science. Learn how to become a leader in healthcare contexts as you develop laboratory management, quality assurance and vital communication skills. Your medical laboratory science studies equip you with both extensive theoretical and medical knowledge as well as practical research and laboratory-oriented abilities. Develop hands-on skills and master advanced diagnostic and research techniques through training in JCU’s world-class research centres such as the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine. Put your theory into practice with placement opportunities in public hospitals and private laboratories in urban, rural and remote areas. Prepare for work in the real-world as you gain clinical and research training through working alongside expert professionals. You’ll discover firsthand the difference that medical laboratory science makes to individual patients and healthcare settings. You will be qualified to work anywhere in Australia as this degree is fully accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS).

JCU Medical Laboratory Science graduates are at the forefront of rapidly advancing scientific work in diagnostic pathology particularly in regional and remote areas. Graduates are adept at providing advanced diagnostic capacity to support health care in these regions. Graduates pursue careers in public and private hospitals, laboratories, clinics and government agencies. They seize opportunities across Australia and internationally. As this degree is accredited with AIMS, you can become a Certified Medical Scientists (CMLS) and work in hospital and private diagnostic pathology laboratories. You may also find employment as a medical laboratory scientist in a variety of settings. You may also choose to continue on with further coursework or higher degree research by study. You may choose to continue on with further coursework or higher degree research by study with the Master of Public Health.