Master of Medical Laboratory Science

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Charles Darwin University

Program Overview

The Master of Medical Laboratory Science is a 2-year, 160-credit-point professional postgraduate degree that prepares biomedical and health-science graduates to play a direct role in diagnosing, monitoring and treating disease through laboratory medicine. Students gain advanced expertise across haematology, microbiology, clinical chemistry, anatomical pathology, genomics and transfusion medicine while combining laboratory-based learning with extensive professional experience in accredited diagnostic laboratories.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students establish their diagnostic laboratory foundations through MLS200 Haematology 1, MLS211 Introduction into Clinical Chemistry and MLS582 Bacteriology, developing an understanding of blood disorders, biochemical testing and microorganisms relevant to human disease. As the year progresses, study expands into diagnostic haematology, biotechnology and genomics, clinical chemistry, pathophysiology, histology and histochemistry, giving students a broad base across the principal medical laboratory disciplines.

Year 2:
Students move into more specialised diagnostic areas through MLS500 Anatomical Pathology, MLS501 Immunohaematology and MLS512 Mycology, Virology & Parasitology, while HEA527 Research Skills for Health Professionals introduces research methodology relevant to contemporary healthcare. Professional preparation culminates in MLS600 Professional Placement 1 and MLS610 Professional Placement 2, where students apply their knowledge within accredited diagnostic laboratories under professional supervision.

Learning outcomes: Analyse and interpret patient specimens | Apply diagnostic laboratory techniques | Understand pathological processes underlying disease | Perform and evaluate haematological, biochemical and microbiological investigations | Apply genomic and biotechnology principles | Work safely and ethically in diagnostic laboratories | Interpret laboratory results for patient care | Apply research skills within medical laboratory science

Professional alignment (accreditation): Graduates are eligible to apply to the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) for professional recognition. CDU's Medical Laboratory Science discipline page also identifies its medical laboratory science courses as nationally recognised and AIMS accredited, providing important professional alignment for graduates seeking careers as medical laboratory scientists in Australia and potentially internationally.

Reputation: CDU sits within the top 23% of universities worldwide in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. Its graduate outcomes are another major strength: the 2024 Graduate Outcomes Survey identifies CDU as the number one dual-sector university for graduate employment outcomes, while CDU reports its postgraduate graduates earn approximately 6% more than the Australian national average.

Official Master of Medical Laboratory Science course page

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Practical training is central to this degree, with students progressing from specialist diagnostic science subjects into 16 weeks of compulsory professional placement. Placements are undertaken under the supervision of hospital scientists in NATA and ISO 15189-accredited laboratories, allowing students to experience the quality, safety and professional standards expected in real diagnostic pathology environments. CDU sources the placements, giving students structured exposure to professional laboratories rather than leaving them to secure their own experience.

Students can build their practical expertise through:

16 weeks of professional placement: Students complete two professional placement components, MLS600 Professional Placement 1 and MLS610 Professional Placement 2, providing substantial workplace exposure before graduation.
Accredited diagnostic laboratories: Placements take place under hospital-scientist supervision within NATA and ISO 15189-accredited laboratory environments, exposing students to professional diagnostic standards and quality-control processes.
Royal Darwin Hospital and Palmerston Regional Hospital: CDU identifies these hospital laboratories among its medical laboratory science placement environments, giving students opportunities for exposure to hospital-based diagnostic pathology.
Private pathology providers: Placement partners named by CDU include Western Diagnostics and Australian Clinical Labs, providing experience within commercial diagnostic pathology services.
Forensic laboratory exposure: CDU lists NT Police Forensics among its medical laboratory science placement environments, creating opportunities for students to see how laboratory methods can be applied beyond conventional hospital pathology.
Research laboratory exposure: Students may undertake approved placements with the Menzies School of Health Research, one of Australia's leading medical research institutes and a long-standing CDU partner.
Veterinary diagnostic science: Berrimah Veterinary Laboratory is another placement environment listed by CDU, broadening students' exposure to laboratory diagnostics and disease investigation.
Interstate placement opportunities: CDU states that medical laboratory science students may also have the option to complete approved placements interstate, expanding the range of professional environments available.
Genomics and biotechnology training: SBI254 Biotechnology and Genomics introduces contemporary genomic science alongside the program's diagnostic pathology training, complementing laboratory disciplines such as bacteriology, haematology and clinical chemistry.
Research preparation: HEA527 Research Skills for Health Professionals provides research training that can support future work in diagnostic research, biomedical science or postgraduate research.

Software and digital tools: CDU does not identify a single compulsory commercial software package for this program on its official course information. The practical emphasis is instead on diagnostic laboratory methods, instrumentation, genomic science and professional laboratory practice, so software and analytical platforms may vary according to the individual discipline and placement setting.

Official CDU Medical Laboratory Science facilities and placement information

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for careers across diagnostic pathology, medical and biomedical research, forensic science, public health and pharmaceutical or biotechnology environments. Typical career directions include Medical Laboratory Scientist, Diagnostic Pathology Scientist, Medical Research Scientist and Forensic Scientist, with specialist opportunities in haematology, microbiology, clinical chemistry, histology and transfusion medicine.

The course supports professional progression through a combination of accreditation, extensive placement experience and CDU's employability services:

CDU Careers Centre: Students can access career and employability advice covering job searching, CV development and interview preparation, as well as individual career support through CDU's online Careers Centre.
Employer and job connections: The Careers Centre advertises vacancies and other opportunities from employers and connects students with internships and employment opportunities while they study.
Career workshops: CDU provides online and face-to-face workshops covering résumé and cover-letter preparation, selection criteria, interview skills and LinkedIn profile development.
Industry-linked placement network: CDU identifies placement environments including Royal Darwin Hospital, Palmerston Regional Hospital, Western Diagnostics, Australian Clinical Labs, NT Police Forensics, Berrimah Veterinary Laboratory, Menzies School of Health Research and Oz Pathology.
AIMS professional recognition: Graduates are eligible to apply for professional recognition through the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists, strengthening their professional standing for careers in medical laboratory science.
Strong university-wide employment outcomes: CDU is identified by the 2024 Graduate Outcomes Survey as the highest-performing dual-sector university for graduate employment, providing strong broader evidence of graduate employability.
Graduate salary outcomes: CDU reports that its postgraduate graduates earn around 6% more than the Australian national average, although this is a university-wide figure rather than a salary specific to this master's degree.
Regional and rural healthcare: CDU specifically highlights graduates' ability to contribute to diagnostic laboratory services in regional and rural communities, where broadly trained medical laboratory scientists can have an important healthcare role.
Graduation outcomes: Career sectors officially highlighted by CDU include diagnostic pathology, research, forensic science, public health, education, biomedical science and the pharmaceutical industry.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates interested in research can progress towards a PhD or another Higher Degree by Research, subject to satisfying the relevant research admission requirements. CDU's Medical Laboratory Science discipline information specifically notes that graduates may choose to complete a PhD and move into research, while CDU offers higher-degree research opportunities across health and medical research disciplines.

Official Master of Medical Laboratory Science course page