Overview
A Medical Laboratory Science student in one of our teaching labs.
The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc) degree was introduced in 1992, to meet the needs of the medical diagnostic laboratory profession for a science-based academic qualification. The four-year programme includes a comprehensive grounding in health sciences and specialised training in the various laboratory disciplines, such as microbiology, biochemistry and haematology with an emphasis on laboratory testing.
Entry to the Medical Laboratory Science programme is most commonly gained by first enrolling in the competitive Health Sciences First Year programme (BSc), in your first year of university study.
The Division of Health Sciences website has further information on Health Sciences First Year and admission to the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science programme.
Graduates can expect to gain early recognition and registration as Medical Laboratory Scientists in New Zealand, and can also work in most other countries. Medical Laboratory Scientists play a major part in helping to diagnose and treat diseases. There are many opportunities for postgraduate study, either in Medical Laboratory Science, or in one of the related health sciences such as forensic pathology, or molecular pathology.
The role of Clinical Scientist is becoming established in New Zealand. In this role Medical Laboratory Scientists with advanced training will work more closely with clinicians to assist with patient care.
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc) programme requirements
| Year | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year | Note: Students enrolled in the Health Sciences First Year course will be required to achieve a satisfactory mark in a standard diagnostic English test or another approved measure of achievement. | 126 |
| 2nd year |
MELS 208 Introduction to Diagnostic Pathology MELS 223 Infection and Immunity (for BMLSc) MELS 230 Biochemistry (for BMLSc) MELS 241 Human Biology: Cells to Systems (for BMLSc) MELS 251 Physiology (for BMLSc) |
45 18 18 18 21 |
| 3rd year |
MELS 301 Diagnostic Chemical Pathology MELS 302 Haematology and Transfusion Science MELS 304 Principles of Pathology MELS 305 Elements of Histotechnology MELS 306 Medical Microbiology |
30 30 15 15 30 |
| 4th year |
Two of: MELS 401 Advanced Diagnostic Chemical Pathology MELS 402 Clinical Microbiology MELS 403 Clnical Virology MELS 404 Diagnostic Molecular Pathology MELS 405 Cytopathology MELS 406 Haematology MELS 407 Histopathology MELS 408 Transfusion Science MELS 409 Clinical Immunology MELS 410 Medical Laboratory Science for Rural Health |
120 |
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2023 Calendar and supplementary material.