Study Medical Laboratory Science at Otago

What is a medical laboratory scientist?

Medical laboratory scientists are skilled health professionals who provide the laboratory-based tests and assays necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. 70% of diagnoses made by clinical staff (such as doctors) depend on laboratory tests. In fact, the practice of modern medicine would not be possible without medical laboratory scientists.

In addition to working in hospital and community diagnostic laboratories, medical laboratory scientists play important roles in other areas such as medical research, forensic science, and biotechnology.

Medical laboratory science covers a wide range of subjects. As a medical laboratory scientist, you can choose to become a specialist in one particular area after you graduate:

• Chemical pathology – Changes in blood chemistry relating to illnesses like diabetes, cancer, drug dependency, and heart disease.
• Haematology – Detection of diseases related to blood such as leukaemia and bleeding disorders.
• Histology and cytology – Microscopic analysis of tissues and cells to identify abnormalities observed in cancer biopsies and cervical smears.
• Immunology – Tests for changes in the immune response indicating infection, gluten and other allergies, and autoimmune diseases.
• Microbiology and virology – Detection of harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites causing diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia, and skin infections.
• Transfusion science – The use of blood products and blood group identification is essential for organ transplantation, blood transfusion, and clotting factor deficiencies.
• Molecular diagnostics – Nucleic acid testing has a wide range of applications. The ability to detect gene abnormalities has significantly advanced diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.

Why study Medical Laboratory Science?

The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc) is the only degree that enables you to enter the pathway to register as a medical laboratory scientist.

In the diagnostic medical laboratory, theoretical knowledge is combined with cutting edge technologies and sophisticated instrumentation to provide rapid, accurate, and reliable results that are used by clinicians for the correct diagnosis and treatment of patients. The test results that medical laboratory scientists provide have an immediate impact on the care of patients, especially those who are critically ill.

The knowledge you acquire in the BMLSc degree will be directly applicable to your work as a medical laboratory scientist.

Demand for faster testing and constant monitoring of patients has taken some tests out of the laboratory to patients’ bedsides. This is called ‘point-of-care’ testing. Another new role is that of the clinical scientist, a position of responsibility achieved through time in the medical laboratory workforce and further training.

Background required

There are no subject requirements for entry into the Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) programme, but we recommend you take Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in Year 13.

If considering tertiary study before enrolling in HSFY, you are strongly advised to contact Health Sciences Admissions beforehand.

Admission to the BMLSc programme

The BMLSc is a four-year degree, including Health Sciences First Year (HSFY).

All applicants seeking admission under the HSFY category must have passed all seven HSFY papers with at least a B- grade (65%) overall average. UCAT (the University Clinical Aptitude Test) is not required.

The Admissions Committee will firstly select from those applicants who are applying under Single Programme Preference. Thereafter if places are still available, the Committee will select from the applicants that have applied to multiple Health Sciences restricted entry programmes.

There are other routes of admission for students who have completed two or more years of University study, or who are University graduates. International students should apply under the International category for admissions.

For more information about applying for admission to the programme, see otago.ac.nz/healthsciences

Postgraduate study

If scientific research is your passion, a postgraduate degree provides an opportunity to further your education. If you gain your BMLSc with credit or distinction, you are eligible to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science (PGDipMLSc). This is a one-year programme which can be undertaken in most areas of medical laboratory science.

If you then gain your PGDipMLSc with credit or distinction, you can undertake a further year of research and study to gain a Master of Medical Laboratory Science (MMLSc).

There are opportunities for high-achieving students to progress to a PhD through a further three-year programme of research and study.

Career opportunities

The University of Otago BMLSc is an internationally-recognised qualification.

It enables you to work around the world in:

• Hospital and community diagnostic laboratories
• Health research groups in universities, Crown Institutes, and the private sector
• Companies supplying scientific instrumentation (research and development, sales, technical support)
• Biotechnology companies
• Forensic science
• Diagnostic and clinical education
• Laboratory management
• Veterinary pathology laboratories
• Hospital mortuary technicians

Career diversity is something we value. In addition to working in hospital and community diagnostic laboratories, medical laboratory science graduates often pursue other roles in medical science in the public and private sectors.

Qualifications

Explore your study options. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages:

• Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science (PGDipMLSc)
• Master of Medical Laboratory Science (MMLSc)

Key information for future students

• Domestic students
• International students

Contact us

Dr Heather Brooks
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science Course Director
Department of Pathology, Otago Medical School
Email heather.brooks@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/medlabsci

This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.

Regulations on this page are taken from the 2021 Calendar and supplementary material.