Bachelor of Health (BHEA) - BHealth

QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Toowoomba campus: 906901; Distance education: 906905; Fraser Coast campus: 916901

Contact us

Program focus

The Bachelor of Health (Laboratory Medicine) aims to provide education and training for careers as a medical scientist in the private and public pathology laboratory sectors. The degree will also provide training for a career as a biomedical scientist with a research capability and/or a biomedical science support role. All theory courses will be available on-line by flexible delivery with a number of courses are offered in dual mode. That is, on-campus (ONC) and by external mode (EXT). Practical experience will be gained by structured placement in a pathology laboratory and/or by attendance at residential schools.

Career opportunities

Medical scientist and technicians; research scientists; medical, clinical or research technicians in the university, health or biotechnology sectors. Health, medical and scientific product marketing.

Program aims

The Bachelor of Health (Laboratory Medicine) aims to provide education and training for medical scientists to service the public and private pathology laboratory industry. A secondary aim is to provide graduates that will be able to play a role in the biomedical arena including research, technical, advisory and commercial roles.

Program objectives

Graduates from the Bachelor of Health will:

• demonstrate a sound knowledge and practical skills to function as a medical scientist in a general pathology laboratory

• demonstrate a sound knowledge and practical skills to function as a medical scientist in the disciplines of haematology, transfusion science, histology, clinical biochemistry and microbiology within a pathology laboratory

• be able to demonstrate a sound grounding in biological sciences with a major emphasis on human health and disease

• have a working knowledge of the fundamentals of Chemistry

• be capable of applying these principles to problem-solving

• be capable of interacting with people trained in other disciplines towards the solution of common problems in biology, biomedical science and pathology

• possess skill in drawing upon the growing content of knowledge in these disciplines

• have demonstrated competence in laboratory techniques and the use of instrumentation relevant to the pathology laboratory services

• have an awareness of the principles of laboratory safety as applicable in the areas studied in the program

• be able to prepare concise, accurate reports of experimental work

• be competent in the use of statistics and data analysis

• be able to use computers to assist them to obtain and analyse data and solve problems in the areas studied in the program

• be able to access appropriate scientific literature and understand and apply the results of scientific research at a level appropriate to a new graduate

• be skilled in the communication of ideas and concepts

• be motivated to sustain life-long learning

• be aware of the social, moral, and legal responsibilities of professional medical students

• be qualified for admission to an appropriate professional body

• possess skills and knowledge that allow successful career diversification on graduation.

Admission requirements

For entry into the Bachelor of Health (Laboratory Medicine) program, applicants will require Queensland Senior School Certificate (Year 12) or equivalent with the following:

• English (four semesters Sound Achievement) or equivalent. International applicants must have met the University's English language requirements or have completed the University's ELICOS/EAP.

  Study in one of Biological Science, Chemistry, Physics or Multi-strand Science or equivalent.

Students must be willing to undertake and submit the requirements of the University of Southern Queensland and Queensland Health for clinical placement. These include:

1. evidence of Hepatitis B immunity

2. a signed Qld Health Student Orientation Checklist, Qld Health Placement Deed and a Qld Health Placement Privacy and Consent Deed

3. a signed USQ Student Clinical Placement Policy Declaration

Candidates for admission to this program must satisfy the normal USQ entry requirements for undergraduate programs. Please refer to Section 2.2 of the Admissions Policy, Section 2.2.1 (for Australian students) and Section 2.2.3 (for international students).

How to apply

Domestic students

Application for undergraduate programs may be made through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). The same procedure applies whether you plan to study on-campus or by distance education.

If you completed Year 12 at a Queensland secondary school you will be assessed for entry on the basis of your Overall Position (OP) or equivalent score. Year 12 students from other states or territories are considered for entry on the basis of their UAI, ENTER or TER and the subject prerequisites indicated. Other applicants will be based on their overall Rank.

International students

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of your higher education and you as a student pay a student contribution amount, which varies depending on the courses undertaken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called HECS-HELP.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Program structure

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Health (Laboratory Medicine) a candidate must complete or be exempted from courses with a total value of at least 24 units according to the following recommended enrolment pattern.

Candidates may take an option of exiting the BHEA after successful completion of 2 years full time study or equivalent (16 units) with an AHEA Associate Degree of Health. Candidates wishing to undertake this option should consult the program coordinator.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 8 years to complete this program.

IT requirements

Students should visit the USQ Recommended Hardware and Recommended Software sites to check that their computers are capable of running the appropriate software and versions of Internet web browsers and to check the minimum and recommended standards for software.

Recommended enrolment pattern