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 by physical, chemical, biochemical and biological methods to provide information essential for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. First year of the course provides a foundation in life and general sciences together with attention to communication skills. The first year medical laboratory science units form a basis for the study of individual disciplines in the second year. The second year of the course introduces cellular and tissue aspects of pathology and study of the individual discipline areas of laboratory medicine. In the third year there is opportunity to specialise in three major disciplines along with study of general subjects important across medical sciences. The second half of third year involves full-time clinical placements in a hospital or private pathology laboratory. This clinical placement continues in the first semester of the fourth year. The final semester of the course continues study in the chosen discipline along with opportunity to study core topics and case studies that draw together student knowledge and learning experiences from all discipline areas.
