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Entry to the BMLSc programme

What are my chances of getting into the BMLSc programme? Isn't it competitive, like medicine?

As long as you complete the seven papers in Health Sciences First Year, you have a very good chance of entering the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc) programme.

Read the guidelines for admission on Division of Health Sciences website

I've done some university study already, and now want to change to the BMLSc. Is this possible?

Yes. Depending on your previous studies and your grades, you may be able to enter the second year classes directly. Very occasionally, graduates or students with several years' previous study may be invited directly into the third year.

If you have been studying health science topics, you may be exempt from studying some of the second year papers.

If your previous studies have not included much science, you may be asked to take some of the Health Sciences First Year papers.

Health Sciences First Year website

Adding extra papers

Can I take extra papers in the degree?

Approval to take papers not listed in the degree schedule must be gained from the Board of Studies for Medical Laboratory Science and signed off by the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences). You will need to meet with the Course Director about your choice of paper(s). Students with good to excellent grades are more likely to gain approval than those with poorer grades.

Can I choose any number of papers?

It is recommended that students choose to do only one extra paper in semester 2 of the second year of the degree. In exceptional circumstances, students may gain approval to take an extra paper in third year.

Which subjects can I get approval for?

Any subject which will enhance your BMLSc is approved. Popular choices in the past have been statistics/biostatistics, maths, physics, computer science, genetics, and language or culture papers.

What if there are timetable clashes?

Generally only one exceptional timetable clash is allowed. Avoid picking a paper with multiple clashes. You must give priority to your BMLSc papers (MELS paper code).

How do I enrol in an extra paper?

Having gained approval from the Board of Studies and Pro-Vice Chancellor, you can enrol in your extra paper in eVision under Certificate of Proficiency.

Email ask@otago.ac.nz for detailed information about the process of adding extra papers.

Special examinations and special consideration

What is a “special exam”?

It is a second chance for students to sit an examination because of either failure with a D grade (i.e. 40–49%) or if a student was unable to sit the main examination for an acceptable reason (illness, bereavement etc.).

When I am eligible to sit a special exam?

To be eligible to sit a special exam, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. Was not able to sit an exam for an acceptable reason. To learn more about this, please refer to the university policy regarding “Special Consideration in Final Examination”, or
  2. Have failed either or both of the following:
    • The previous final written examination with a D grade (40–49%)
    • The internal assessment component with a D grade (40–49%)

To be eligible for a special exam, you must have passed at least 50% of the total points of the academic year. To learn more about this, please refer to the University Calendar “Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science; (6) Examinations”.

For example, look at the following scenarios:

  • If Tom, a second year student, got an overall 42% (D) in MELS 230 and 49% (D) in MELS 223 while he passed all other papers, then he can sit special exams for both papers. This is for two reasons: (1) he failed with D grade (not “E”, i.e. less than 40%); (2) both papers are weighted 18 points each, making the total of failed papers 36 points out of total of 120 points for the second year. Thus, he has passed more than 50% of the point of the second year.
  • If Alice, a second year student, got an overall 46% (D) in MELS 241 and 38% (E) in MELS 223 while she passed all other papers, then she can sit the special exam for MELS 241 only. She is not allowed to sit a special exam for MELS 223 and she must re-take the paper in the following academic year if she wants to continue her BMLSc degree.
  • If Mark, a second-year student, got 48% (D) in MELS 230 and 49% (D) in MELS 208, he won't be able to sit a special exam for any of them. That's because the total failed points are 63 points (18 points for MELS 230 + 45 points for MELS 208), which is more than 50% of the total points of the academic year (total of 120 points). Mark must re-take both papers in the following academic year if he wants to continue his BMLSc degree.

Do I keep the mark I get in the special exam? (i.e. is it possible to get an A+ after I sit my special exam?)

Only if you are sitting a special exam because of accepted special considerations (please refer to When am I eligible to sit a special exam?). In this case, you keep any grade you get from sitting the special exam. But if you are taking the special exam because you have failed the first time, then you only get 50% if you pass (i.e. if you get 50% or 100%, you still get only 50%, but if you get less than 50%, then you fail the special exam).

If I fail the special exam, what happens next?

Then you have to apply to re-take the paper in the following academic year. Please note the following in the University Calendar (Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science; (6.d) Examinations):
(6.d) Any candidate who is repeating a paper shall not normally be admitted to a special examination for that paper.

Do all level-three papers have pre-requisites from level-two? (i.e. if I have to retake one paper from level-two, can I still take some papers from level-three at the same time, aiming to graduate earlier?).

In order to move to the third year of BMLSc degree and start taking level-three papers, students MUST pass ALL PAPERS from second year. I.e. a student that is re-taking a single paper from second year, will be only doing this paper (out of the BMLSc schedule) through the following academic year with no possibility of taking any paper from the following levels of BMLSc degree. Students may take papers outside of the BMLSc schedule during the repeating year.

See “Programme Requirements: Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science” in the University Calendar for a complete list of papers in the BMLSc degree.

Are there certain papers where I am not allowed to sit special exam if I failed?

No. As long as you meet all conditions to sit the special exam(s). Please refer to the university policy regarding “Special Consideration in Final Examination”.

What if I have special circumstances around exams such as illness or bereavement? Am I still able to sit a special exam?

Yes. But you have to apply for Special Consideration through eVision. Please refer to the university policy regarding “Special Consideration in Final Examination”.

Is sitting a special exam because of special consideration any different than sitting an exam because of failing? How?

Yes. Mainly if you sit a special exam because of special considerations (with accepted reason), your actual grade will be entered on eVsion. (Please refer to Do I keep the mark I get in the special exam?)

What kind of “special considerations” can be considered for special exams?

There are a wide range of acceptable reasons that can be accepted as a good reason of missing the final exam (e.g. illness, death of a close relative, …. etc), and hence granted acceptance to sit a special exam with the possibility to keep the grade you will get in this exam.

However, this process is not done through the MLSc home Department (Pathology) but through the university administration. To learn more about this, please refer to the university policy regarding “Special Consideration in Final Examination”.

Email ask@otago.ac.nz for advice about applying for special consideration.

When do special exams usually take place?

End of January or early February.

Will the special exams be in the same format as the previous final exams? (MCQs, SAQs, essays, … etc).

Usually they will be, but not necessarily! … However, students have the right to be provided with the front page of the exam ahead of time, and it will contain the exam structure.

If the student was not provided with this front page ahead of time, they can contact the paper convener and ask for it, and it will be provided to them before the exam.

Will the special exam be easier compared to the previous final exam?

No. It will be at the same level as the previous final exam.

Choosing fourth-year papers

How many papers will I take at 4th year?

Two papers from the list MELS 401 to MELS 410, one in each semester. Details of these papers can be found at the below links:

Are there any guidelines for choosing fourth year papers besides own preference?

You are required to state your paper preferences by choosing two papers as your first choice and two alternative papers. While every effort is made to provide students with their first choices, this is not always possible. Where first a first choice paper is unavailable, the Course Director will select from your alternative list.

It's up to you which papers you take. However, we recommended you take at least one of the major sub-disciplines, i.e. haematology, chemical pathology, microbiology, histology.

If you are interested in getting across-the-board experience in haematology, transfusion science, chemical pathology and microbiology in one paper, consider choosing MELS 410 Medical Laboratory Science for Rural Health.

Where will my placements be?

Using the SONIA software, you can enter your choice of location and an alternative location in case your primary choice is unavailable. If you wish to do each placement in a different locations, please make that clear.

Particular locations are prioritised according to need:

  1. Students who have to be in specific locations e.g. for family or employment reasons, are given priorities for their chosen locations.
  2. Students to who prefer to be in specific locations have the next level of priority.

When do I choose the fourth year papers / place of placement?

Around Easter of the first semester of the third year. Prior to this, you will be provided with information about the different papers you can take and how to apply for them using the software programme SONIA.

When do I find out about my choices for the fourth year papers / location of placement?

Usually in the period mid-August to mid-September. (Please refer to When do I choose the fourth-year papers / place of placement?)

Are there certain rules I must follow to get approval for my choice of papers/place of placement?

Students must abide by the Fourth-Year Student Placement Policy:

  • The Course Director and Administrator are responsible for negotiating 4th year BMLSc student placements.
  • Students must not under any circumstances attempt to contact host laboratories or negotiate their own placements.
  • Students must not engage a friend / family member to contact host laboratories on their behalf.
  • The choices of sub disciplines and locations stated in the student preference form cannot be changed at a later date unless there is a very compelling reason, as agreed with the Course Director.
  • The Course Director and Administrator will accept suitable placement offers on behalf of students without further negotiation with the students.
  • If student preferences for sub discipline and/or location cannot be met, the Course Director/Administrator will contact the student to discuss other acceptable options.
  • Host laboratories retain the right to cancel any placement at any time before the start date.

Can I do my placements overseas?

Overseas placements are cancelled due to COVID‑19 until further notice.

In normal times, students who wish to do their placement overseas must write a “letter of intent” explaining their reasons. Please note that overseas placements are not open to international students because of visa issues. For further information, see "Studying overseas in fourth year".

How are placements arranged?

Lists of student preferences are sent to the relevant medical laboratories by the Course Director / Administrator. Laboratories have the final say regarding allocating students.

Some laboratories will ask to interview students over the telephone before making up their mind about offering placements. If you are called to an interview, make sure you refresh your knowledge about the relevant sub-discipline beforehand.

Is there a list of places of placement in New Zealand to choose from?

You will be provided with this information early in third year.

Who will supervise me during my fourth year?

Students in their fourth year will have a supervisor who is a member of the medical laboratory staff. In addition to the supervisor, the student may have additional tutor(s) who are also laboratory staff. Another supervisor from the University of Otago (the academic supervisor) will be the paper convener.

Students may be helped by other laboratory staff to work through their logbooks on a daily basis. The logbook is a record of the work carried out during fourth year, and must be completed to pass the paper.

What kind of assessment will I have?

The assessments of fourth year are usually: written assessments, a research project report, an oral presentation of the research and a final two-hour written examination. Your logbook will also be graded.

I read on the university website that BMLSc fourth year is distance learning. What is “distance learning”?

It's learning that occurs off-campus.

During distant learning, “audio conferences” are available and usually take place twice per semester. In these conferences, general notices are covered, changes in paper conveners, deadlines, and other updates regarding the course are discussed.

Do we attend any lectures/tutorials during fourth year?

Mostly it's one-on-one learning. Students get instructions from laboratory staff who act as their tutors. However, students may need to attend regular seminars or other activities in their host laboratory.

Who shall I see on the first day of my placement?

Usually the person the student will see on the first day is either the Placement Supervisor or the Placement Coordinator.

Students will receive a letter in January of their fourth year with all required information necessary to start their academic year. It will inform them when and where to go on their first day, and the person who will meet them on that day.

What is a “rural placement”?

If you choose a Rural Placement (MELS 410) you will be placed in a smaller laboratory in a rural or provincial area. You will gain experience in haematology, microbiology, chemical pathology, and also blood banking (mainly focusing on screening and crossmatching). Depending on the laboratory, you may have more patient and clinician interaction than would occur in a larger laboratory.

Studying overseas in fourth year

Because of COVID‑19, overseas placements are cancelled until further notice.

Is there a list of places of placement overseas to choose from?

Overseas placements are normally available in Australia (Sydney) and Denmark (chemical pathology only).

Does the university help in travel and/or accommodation arrangements?

No. The student should be able to arrange this on their own. However, if the student has any trouble with this, he/she may contact the Course Administrator of Medical Laboratory Science program who will be able to help in this matter:

Email admin.mlsc@otago.ac.nz

Students are responsible for financing their overseas placements.

Can the overseas study be done in any of the 10 papers of the fourth year?

It depends on the laboratory. Sydney, Australia has all disciplines (except for MELS 410 Medical Laboratory Science for Rural Health), the placement in Copenhagen, Denmark has only one sub-discipline, Advanced Diagnostic Chemical Pathology! (MELS 401).

Can it be either semester 1 or 2 of the fourth year?

Again, it depends on the laboratory. While placements in Sydney, Australia are available for both first and second semester, the placement in Copenhagen, Denmark is available for the first semester only.

If you have a student loan, you are advised to choose only one overseas placement. If you choose to do both placements overseas, you may be liable for interest on your student loan.

Are there any different aspects (e.g. in my assessments, learning, … etc.) in doing a placement overseas compared to do it in New Zealand?

No. Same procedures and rules (including the logbooks).

Graduation grades

When do we graduate?

Normally in early December, after the results of the final year have been approved by the Board of Examiners and Board of Studies. However, if a final-year student had to sit a special exam for any of his/her fourth year papers, then he/she will graduate in the following May instead.

What types of graduation grades I may get?

A student that achieves an overall graduation mark of 80% (A-) or above is awarded a “Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science with Distinction”.

A student that achieves an overall graduation mark between 70% and 79% (B/B+) is awarded a “Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science with Credit”.

A student that has a total graduation mark of less than 70% receives a “Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science”.

How is my graduation grade is calculated?

To understand how the graduation grade of the BMLSc is calculated, you should understand the following rules:

  1. The papers of Health Science First Year (HSFY) don't contribute to your final graduation grade. They mainly allowed you enter the program in the first place.
  2. The following years (second to fourth) are weighted differently, i.e.
    • BMLSc second year paper grades contribute 17% to your overall grade.
    • BMLSc third year paper grades contribute 33% towards your overall grade.
    • BMLSc fourth year paper grades contribute 50% towards your overall grade.

Papers from each year are weighted differently according to their points.

For example, look at the following scenarios:

John is a second year BMLSc student. He passed three papers in the first semester: MELS 251, MELS 230 and MELS 241. But they are not equal in weight. They are weighted 21, 18 and 18 points respectively. His marks are 72 (B), 55 (C) & 91 (A+) respectively. In his second semester he passed two papers: MELS 223 and MELS 208. They are 18 and 45 points respectively. His marks are 81 (A-) and 79 (B+) respectively.

So, his total percentage through the year is calculated as follow: ((72×21)+(55×18)+(91×18)+(81×18)+(79×45))/((100×21)+(100×18)+(100×18)+(100×18)+(100×45)) = 9153/12000 = 0.7628 So his total % is 76.28% in the second year.

Now, this percentage is going to contribute in his final grade by 17%. I.e. he already achieved 0.17×76.28 = 12.97% (out of 17%) towards his final graduation grade.

Can failing a paper affect my graduation mark? (e.g. graduating with distinction?)

No. You still can graduate with distinction even if you have failed one or more papers in the past as long as your final mark upon graduation is 80% or more

Do we have honours?

No. BMLSc degree does not have the option to have honours at the moment. Although some countries, like the UK, have honours for their Medical Laboratory Science degrees, but they usually see the BMLSc graduates of Otago as an equivalent to the British honours degree.

Professional registration and careers

What is a professional registration?

Graduates who have fulfilled all the requirements needed to be qualified Medical Laboratory Scientists are eligible for professional registration. Registration entitles them to practice their profession.

The Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand is the registration body.

Any requirements for professional registration besides graduation?

Yes. For full registration, the graduate needs to complete at least six months work in an accredited diagnostic laboratory.

Does professional registration cost any fees?

Yes.

The Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand website has more information.

When can I apply for registration after my graduation?

Graduates are encouraged to apply for “provisional registration” before their final results are released. Provisional registration provides the graduate pathway to full registration.

The Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand website has more information.

The Medical Sciences Council is informed of the final examination results by the Course Administrator. Students who have been successful will then be granted provisional registration.

If I have plans after my graduation (e.g. traveling abroad), is there a time-frame that I have to apply for registration within?

No. The BMLSc degree never goes out of date! Even with no practice for long time after graduation, graduates still can re-enter the profession. However, in such case it might take longer to gain full registration.

What are the job opportunities when I finish the degree?

Job opportunities in most branches of diagnostic laboratory work are currently very good—there are a diversity of employment options.

Our programme is accredited by Australia, so you can also expect to find work in Australia.

Salary varies between laboratories. Salary progression is generally by automatic annual increment for a period after you complete a six-month period working in a diagnostic laboratory (this six-month period is to meet competency requirements and full registration with the New Zealand Medical Sciences Council).

Postgraduate studies (including forensic science)

What postgraduate options does a BMLSc graduate has?

The postgraduate study options in Medical Laboratory Science are:

  1. Postgraduate diploma in Medical Laboratory Science (PGDipMLSc)
  2. The Master of Medical Laboratory Science (MMLSc)
  3. PhD

How do I choose between the available postgraduate study options?

To have a successful application for postgraduate study, the applicant must have a bachelor's degree (BMLSc or equivalent) with credit or distinction.

PGDipMLSc – The only option for a graduate holding only a bachelor degree (BMLSc) is the postgraduate diploma in Medical Laboratory Science. This diploma is considered the first step towards further postgraduate studies.

MMLSc – If the postgraduate students successfully finished the diploma either with credit (70-79%) or with distinction (80% or higher), then he/she is eligible to apply for a Masters in Medical Laboratory Science.

PhD – After the postgraduate student finishes their master's, high achieving students may be able to apply for PhD studies.

In special circumstances, a postgraduate student may be upgraded to a PhD without having to complete their masters (i.e. a student who is doing exceptionally well in a research project which has the potential to be a PhD project).

How long does it usually take to finish each of the postgraduate degrees available?

The postgraduate diploma and masters usually each take one year of full-time study. While a PhD usually takes at least three years of full-time study. For the maximum and minimum durations of the PGDip MLSc and MMLSc and part-time study options, see the University Calendar:

Where are these postgraduate degrees are available?

Within one of the Health Sciences campuses, i.e. Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington.

How competitive is the postgraduate entry?

It's not really competitive, but the applicant needs to demonstrate academic achievement. (Refer to Can the overseas study be done in any of the 10 papers of the fourth year?)

What is the advantage of finishing a postgraduate degree in Medical Laboratory Science?

Having postgraduate degree(s) in Medical Laboratory Sciences gives several advantages:

  1. Gaining more specialised knowledge and experience in research.
  2. The Master's and PhD degrees shorten the time required to become a “Clinical Scientist”, a scientific position that requires more training and has a more active role in providing clinical advice for diagnostic testing with patient care, and also can advise in treatment. To learn more about “Clinical Scientists”, please refer to The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia.
  3. A postgraduate degree may also be an advantage in gaining employment of some of the larger laboratories in New Zealand, who require specialists in certain areas, which include (but are not limited to) genetics and molecular diagnostics.
  4. A postgraduate degree widens career opportunities outside the profession.

I want to study forensic science. Can I do this if I take medical laboratory science?

The only way you can study forensic science in New Zealand is to take it as a postgraduate subject for a Master of Science (MSc) in Auckland.

If you're interested in this path, it's recommended you complete the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science degree, and do some biochemistry and chemistry study.

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