Course overview

Description

This course extends the students' undergraduate learning in the biomedical sciences with a focus on the knowledge and technical skill set required for research or employment in the diagnostic and research environments of clinical pathology. The first half of the course focuses on the six major disciplines of clinical pathology (biochemistry, haematology and transfusion science, immunology, anatomical pathology, genetics and microbiology) as well as key elements of professional practice (e.g. communication skills, occupational health and safety, quality control, ethics, regulatory/legislative frameworks). The course structure allows students to exit the course after the first year with a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pathology. The second year of the master's degree course provides students with advanced training in two or three of the aforementioned disciplines including relevant laboratory experience.

Course title
Master of Clinical Pathology (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
Award abbreviation
MCP
Course code
92510
Course type
Master's degree by coursework or by coursework and dissertation
Status
Current / 2024
Administered by
Biomedical Sciences

Course details

Intake periods
Beginning of year only
Attendance type
Full- or part-time
Articulation
The Master of Clinical Pathology has the following exit award: 92310 Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pathology (48 points) (48 points)
Credit points required
96
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester.
Professional accreditation
Master of Clinical Pathology (coursework or coursework and dissertation) is accredited by: Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS).
Standard course duration
2 years
Time limit
8 years
Delivery mode
Multi-mode
Locations offered
QEII Medical Centre
Domestic fee type
Postgraduate fee-paying/FEE-HELP
Available to international students
No
Course Coordinator(s)
Dr Clayton Fragall
Fees
Visit the fees calculator.

Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.

No study plans found for this course. See study plans for more information.

Specialisations

SP-ANTPY Anatomical Pathology
SP-CLBCH Clinical Biochemistry
SP-CLIMM Clinical Immunology
SP-CLMBY Clinical Microbiology
SP-HMTGY Haematology
SP-MOLEC Molecular Pathology

Course structure

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
NS
non-standard teaching period

All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.

Year 1

Take all units (48 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1MICR5829Foundations of Infectious Diseases
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51330 Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases
or 54540 Master of Infectious Diseases
or 92510 Master of Clinical Pathology
or 01810/52520 Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Infectious Diseases
lectures/tutorials: 3 hours per week; labs/demonstrations: 4 hours per week
S2PATH5121Clinical Biochemistry
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
the Master of Clinical Pathology 92510
or other relevant postgraduate degree as determined by the Faculty.
lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials/labs/workshops: 4 hours per week
S2PATH5131Anatomical Pathology
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
the Master of Clinical Pathology 92510
or other relevant postgraduate degree as determined by the Faculty.
lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials/labs/workshops: 3-4 hours per week
S1PATH5141Clinical Immunology
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
the Master of Clinical Pathology 92510
or other relevant postgraduate degree as determined by the Faculty.
lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials/labs/workshops: 3-4 hours per week
S2PATH5151Molecular Pathology
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
the Master of Clinical Pathology 92510
or other relevant postgraduate degree as determined by the Faculty.
lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials/labs/workshops: 4-5 hours per week
S1PATH5161Laboratory Haematology
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
92510 Master of Clinical Pathology (ID 383)
learning chunks and lectures: up to 2 hours per week; labs: 3 hours per week; tutorials: 3 hours per week
S2PATH5181Transfusion Science
Prerequisites
PATH5161 - Laboratory Haematology
lectures: up to 2 hours per week; labs: up to 3 hours per week; tutorials: up to 3 hours per week
S1PATH5191Clinical Laboratory Skills
Prerequisites
92510 Master of Clinical Pathology (ID 383)
or 54540 Master of Infectious Diseases (ID 1899)
Incompatibility
PATH5511 Clinical Laboratory Skills 1 (ID 3685)
and PATH5514 Clinical Laboratory Skills 2 (ID 3687)
4-5 lectures per week and a 3-hour tutorial every 3 weeks

Year 2

Note: For students electing the Master of Clinical Pathology by coursework, take all unit(s): from (i) Group A (12 points); (ii) Group B (18 points) and (iii) any three specialisations from groups D, E, F, G, H, or I (18 points). For students electing the Master of Clinical Pathology by coursework and dissertation, take all unit(s): from (i) Group A (12 points), (ii) Group C (24 points) and (ii) any two specialisations chosen from groups D, E, F, G, H, or I (12 points)

Take all units (12 points):

Group A
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S2PATH5192Principles of Professional Practice
Prerequisites
PATH5191 Clinical Laboratory Skills (ID 3685)
or
PATH5511 Clinical Laboratory Skills 1 (ID 3685)
and PATH5514 Clinical Laboratory Skills 2 (ID 3687)
and PATH5181 Transfusion Science (ID 7957) and
PATH5122 Advanced Clinical Biochemistry (ID 5238)
or PATH5132 Advanced Anatomical Pathology (ID 5216)
or PATH5142 Advanced Clinical Immunology (ID 5207)
or PATH5152 Advanced Molecular Pathology (ID 5222)
or PATH5162 Advanced Laboratory Haematology (ID 5206)
or PATH5172 Advanced Clinical Microbiology (ID 5526)
Co-requisites
PATH5193 Clinical Pathology Practicum 1 (ID 7955)
Practicum placement: 140 hours Moderated forum discussion: 30 min per week (asynchronous) Workshops: 4 x 3 hours (synchronous)
NSPATH5193Clinical Pathology Practicum 1
Prerequisites
PATH5191 Clinical Laboratory Skills (ID 3685)
or
PATH5511 Clinical Laboratory Skills 1 (ID 3685)
and PATH5514 Clinical Laboratory Skills 2 (ID 3687)
and PATH5181 Transfusion Science (ID 7957) and
PATH5122 Advanced Clinical Biochemistry (ID 5238)
or PATH5132 Advanced Anatomical Pathology (ID 5216)
or PATH5142 Advanced Clinical Immunology (ID 5207)
or PATH5152 Advanced Molecular Pathology (ID 5222)
or PATH5162 Advanced Laboratory Haematology (ID 5206)
or PATH5172 Advanced Clinical Microbiology (ID 5526)
Co-requisites
PATH5192 Principles of Professional Practice (ID 7956)
Practicum placement: 140 hours.

For students in the course by coursework only, take all units in this group as per the sequence notes (18 points):

Group B
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2PATH5194Clinical Pathology Practicum 2
Prerequisites
PATH5191 Clinical Laboratory Skills
or
PATH5511 Clinical Laboratory Skills 1 (ID 3685)
and PATH5514 Clinical Laboratory Skills 2 (ID 3687)
and PATH5181 Transfusion Science (ID 7957) and
PATH5122 Advanced Clinical Biochemistry (ID 5238)
or PATH5132 Advanced Anatomical Pathology (ID 5216)
or PATH5142 Advanced Clinical Immunology (ID 5207)
or PATH5151 Molecular Pathology (ID 5219)
or PATH5162 Advanced Laboratory Haematology (ID 5206)
or PATH5172 Advanced Clinical Microbiology (ID 5526)
Practicum placement: 140 hours
S1, S2PUBH4401Biostatistics I
Prerequisites
enrolment in
honours
or postgraduate courses
lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials: 1.5 hours per week
S1, S2PUBH4403Epidemiology INonelectures: 60-70 minutes recorded lectures per week; online tutorial worksheets: ~ 2-3 hours per week

For students in the course by coursework and dissertation only, take all units in this group as per the sequence notes (24 points):

Group C
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1PATH5113Research Project ProposalNone1 hour per week
S2PATH5114Research Communication
Prerequisites
PATH5113 Research Project Proposal and either (PATH5115 Research Project Part 1
or PATH5117 Research Project Part 1)
Co-requisites
PATH5116 Research Project Part 2
or PATH5118 Research Project Part 2
tutorial/workshops: 1 hour per week
S1PATH5115Research Project Part 1
Co-requisites
PATH5113 Research Project Proposal
at least 6 hours per week
S2PATH5116Research Project Part 2
Prerequisites
PATH5113 Research Project Proposal
and PATH5115 Research Project Part 1
Co-requisites
PATH5114 Research Communication
at least 6 hours per week

Anatomical Pathology specialisation

Take all units in this group as per the sequence notes (6 points):

Group E
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1PATH5132Advanced Anatomical Pathology
Prerequisites
PATH5131 Anatomical Pathology
lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials/labs/workshops: 4-5 hours per week.

Clinical Biochemistry specialisation

Take all units in this group as per the sequence notes (6 points):

Group D
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1PATH5122Advanced Clinical Biochemistry
Prerequisites
PATH5121 Clinical Biochemistry
lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials/labs/workshops: 4 hours per week

Clinical Immunology specialisation

Take all units in this group as per the sequence notes (6 points):

Group F
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1PATH5142Advanced Clinical Immunology
Prerequisites
PATH5141 Clinical Immunology
lectures: 3 hours per week; tutorials/labs/workshops: 3 hours per week

Clinical Microbiology specialisation

Take all units in this group as per the sequence notes (6 points):

Group I
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1PATH5172Advanced Clinical Microbiology
Prerequisites
MICR5829 Foundations of Infectious Diseases
Incompatibility
MICR5832 Diagnostic Medical Microbiology
lectures: 1–2 hours per week; practical classes (laboratory classes, tutorials and workshops): 4–6 hours per week

Haematology specialisation

Take all units in this group as per the sequence notes (6 points):

Group H
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1PATH5162Advanced Laboratory Haematology
Prerequisites
PATH5161 Laboratory Haematology (ID 5205)
lectures: Up to 2 hours per week; tutorials/labs/workshops: up to 6 hours per week

Molecular Pathology specialisation

Take all units in this group as per the sequence notes (6 points):

Group G
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1PATH5152Advanced Molecular Pathology
Prerequisites
PATH5151 Molecular Pathology
lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials/labs/workshops: 4 hours per week

See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.

Rules

Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures

1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.

(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.

Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules

2.(1) Except as stated in (2), a student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).

(2) A student who has previously achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the CARS module is not required to repeat the module.

(3) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.

English Language competency requirements

3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.

Admission requirements

4. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—

(a) a relevant bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;

and

(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of 65 per cent in the Level 3 units of a relevant major.

Admission ranking and selection

5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on—

(a) the Grade Point Average of the last year of study;

and

(b) the intake quota for the year

Articulations and exit awards

6.(1) This course has the following exit award:

  • 92310 Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pathology (48 points)

(2) A student who withdraws from the Master of Clinical Pathology course before completing it, but has completed 48 points from the list of first year units, may apply to the School to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pathology.

Course structure

7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 96 points which must include course core units and specialisation units. The course comprises the following specialisations:

  • SP-ANTPY Anatomical Pathology
  • SP-CLBCH Clinical Biochemistry
  • SP-CLIMM Clinical Immunology
  • SP-CLMBY Clinical Microbiology
  • SP-HMTGY Haematology
  • SP-MOLEC Molecular Pathology

(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.

Satisfactory progress

8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.

9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.

Progress status

10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.

(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—

(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';

(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';

(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.

11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.

Award with distinction

12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—

(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;

(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;

and

(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.

Deferrals

13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).

Additional rules
Specialisations

14.(1) This course leads to multiple specialisations.

(2) Students in the course by coursework only, must take specialisation-specific units comprising three specialisations in Year 2.

(3) Students in the course by coursework and dissertation, must take specialisation-specific units comprising two specialisations in Year 2.

Advanced standing

15. Owing to accrediting body requirements, advance standing is not permitted towards the requirements of this course.