Laboratory Medicine
Laboratory Medicine is divided into six major areas of study: clinical biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion serology, histopathology, diagnostic cytology, medical microbiology, medical biotechnology and immunology.
All disciplines involve the study, examination and analysis of body fluids and tissues to provide information essential for the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Leading to
Bachelor of Science
(Laboratory Medicine)
Careers include
- Pathologist
- Biotechnologist
- Forensic Scientist
- Veterinary Pathologist
- Biomedical Scientist
You Laboratory Medicine Pathway
If you have…
✓ Completed Year 12 with an ATAR (or the equivalent in your country).
Diploma of Health Sciences (Stage 2)
8 university level units studied over 2 semesters. Equivalent to Year 1 of the corresponding Curtin degree.
Direct Entry into Year 2 at Curtin University
Graduate with a Bachelor of Health Science (Laboratory Medicine).
Or if you have…
✓ Completed Year 11 (or the equivalent in your country).
Diploma of Health Sciences (Stage 1)
8 pre-university level units are studied over 2 or 3 trimesters.
Diploma of Health Sciences (Stage 2)
Equivalent to year 1 of the corresponding Curtin Bachelor Degree.
Diploma of Health Sciences Units (Stage 1)
CRICOS Code 087942A
Students must complete the following core units and three elective units:
Core Units
- Academic Communication Skills
- Academic Research and Writing
- Essential Mathematics
- Human Biology
- Information and Media Technologies
Elective Units (Select three)
- Accounting
- Design Skills
- Economics
- Introduction to Design Computing
- Media Culture & Communications
- Management
- Marketing
- Physics
- Project Management
- Programming
- Technical Mathematics
Diploma of Health Sciences Units (Stage 2)
CRICOS Code 087942A
Students must complete the following core units:
Core Units
- Foundations of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
- Foundations for Professional Health Practice
- Foundations of Biomedical Sciences
- Human Structure & Function
- Indigenous Cultures & Health Behaviours
- Integrated Systems Anatomy & Physiology
- Introduction to Biological Chemistry
- Introduction to Chemistry
Laboratory Medicine Diploma of Health Science (Core Units - Stage 2)
Stage 2 Units – 25 Credit Points Each
Foundations of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Students critically appraise public health and clinical epidemiological research literature and perform basic statistical analysis. You will encounter basic statistical and graphical description and analysis of epidemiological and biomedical data with appropriate graphs, tables, and summary measures; statistical inference and statistical hypothesis testing applied to problems in health and clinical medicine using parametric and non-parametric tests; calculation of common epidemiological measures of disease frequency and association such as incidence rate, prevalence, attributable risk, risk ratios and odds ratio; role and significance of inferential statistics such as confidence intervals and probability values.
Foundations for Professional Health Practice
Introduction to ethical decision making in the context of professional health practice. Application of academic standards and development of skills required for studying at university. Introduction to professional requirements which impact on the safety and quality of client centred service/care when working in a health setting. Examination of differences in Australian and international health systems. Students will learn the value of diversity in inter-professional practice through working in teams. Students will reflect on their learning and begin to develop lifelong learning skills.
Foundations of Biomedical Science
This unit is an introduction to the theory and application of disciplines in the biomedical sciences: microbiology, immunology, histopathology, haematology, biochemistry and molecular genetics. Themes include the basic theory of the cellular and molecular components that form the foundations of biomedical science, the investigation of disease and infectious agents, occupational health considerations, the use of specialised equipment and testing of biological samples in a professional manner. The role and function of medical and research laboratories will also be explored.
Human Structure and Function
Anatomical organisation of the body and the relationships between body systems and cells. Human requirements for metabolism and life. The structure and function of the body. Basic control and interactions of the circulatory, respiratory, digestive and excretory systems. Primary defence against microorganisms. Mechanisms for growth, repair and reproduction.
Indigenous Cultures and Health Behaviours
Integrated Systems Anatomy & Physiology
An integrated approach to the study of body systems correlating structure and function of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems together with their endocrine and neural control. Students will investigate the interaction of these systems in normal body functioning and in selected altered body states.
Introduction to Biological Chemistry
This unit is an introduction to biological chemistry for students who have passed CHEM1003 Introduction to Chemistry. This unit will build on Introduction to Chemistry by providing examples of chemistry with relevance to biological systems. It will relate properties of biological molecules to aspects of chemical bonding to allow identification of their physical and chemical properties. It will further build on your skills in chemical reactions and numeracy developed in Introduction to Chemistry and introduce some chemical measurement techniques of relevance to biological systems. It will illustrate the role of functional groups in controlling the function, behaviour and reactivity of organic molecules, focussing on application to biological molecules. The importance of solution pH in many biological systems will be introduced, along with the properties of acids and buffer solutions.
Introduction to Chemistry
This unit is an introduction to the fundamental nature of matter for students who have not previously studied chemistry. A range of chemical processes that underpin a broad array of disciplines will illustrate the importance of and di erences between chemical and mathematical representations of reactions and reactivity. The physical phenomena resulting from bond types and their resulting intermolecular forces will explain the properties of natural and man-made processes and materials. Using examples from nature and biology the role of the certain groups in ascribing reactivity and function of organic molecules will be highlighted.
2021 Fees
Australian Students
Course | Per Unit | Total Fees ($AUD) |
---|---|---|
Diploma (Stage 1) | 1,950 | 15,600 |
Diploma (Stage 2) | 2,050 | 16,400 |
International Students
Course | Per Unit | Total Fees ($AUD) |
---|---|---|
Diploma (Stage 1) | 3,125 | 25,000 |
Diploma (Stage 2) | 4,562.50 | 36,500 |
Entry Requirements
Australian Students
Course | Entry Requirements |
---|---|
Diploma (Stage 1) |
Year 11 with 50% |
Diploma (Stage 2) |
Minimum ATAR 60 OR AQF Certificate IV OR equivalent Foundation Year grades |
International Students
Diploma (Stage 1) | Diploma (Stage 2) | |
---|---|---|
General Certificate of Education (GCE) | GCE O-Level with 4 passes | Minimum of 3 points from 3 GCE A-Level OR 2 points from 1 GCE A‐Level and 2 points from AS‐Level |
International Baccalaureate (IB) | Completion of Year 1 Diploma with at least 18 points (minimum of 4 subjects) | Minimum of 22 points over 6 IB units in one sitting |
Global Assessment Certificate (GAC) | Enquire at Curtin College | Enquire at Curtin College |
For more information about entry requirements and pre-requisites for Australian and International applicants:
We accept students from a variety of academic backgrounds, as well as students who have completed alternative training. We also accept students with work and/or life experience:
Entry Options Student & ARAR ProfilesIntakes
Diploma of Health Sciences (Stage 1)
February | June
Diploma of Health Sciences (Stage 2)
February
Duration
Diploma of Health Sciences (Stage 1)
2-3 Trimesters (8-12 months)
Diploma of Health Sciences (Stage 2)
2 Semesters (12 months)
Note: This is a full-time course at Curtin’s Bentley campus.
Next Intake February 2021 (Stage 1 & Stage 2)
Apply now for the Diploma of Health Sciences, leading to year 2 of the Bachelor of Science (Laboratory Medicine) at Curtin University.
Apply TodayWhy choose Laboratory Medicine?
This is the only degree program in laboratory medicine in Western Australia accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.