Master of Medical Laboratory Science (MMLSc)

Overview

The Master of Medical Laboratory Science (MMLSc) degree and preceding Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science (PGDipMLSc) allow a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc) graduate to pursue a full-time research option, possibly leading on to a PhD. These postgraduate qualifications also allow experienced medical laboratory scientists with unrelated or no previous university study to undertake research-based qualifications which may assist them into research and academic careers. Potential candidates should note that there is a strong focus on assisting the individual to develop self-directed research skills. These postgraduate qualifications are not designed to provide practising medical laboratory scientists with updates on their area of practice.

Regulations for the Degree of Master of Medical Laboratory Science (MMLSc)

1. Admission to the Programme

   1. Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
   2. Every applicant shall have qualified for the Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science with credit or distinction, or have equivalent qualifications acceptable to the Board of Studies for Medical Laboratory Science.

2. Structure of the Programme

   1. The degree will be awarded upon the submission of a satisfactory thesis embodying the results of research undertaken under supervision. The candidate shall have one or more supervisors, at least one of whom shall be a member of the staff of the University.
   2. The topic of the thesis and the supervisors of the research shall be approved by the Board of Studies for Medical Laboratory Science.
   3. The research should be of a kind that a diligent and competent student should complete within one year of full-time study.

3. Duration of the Programme

   A candidate shall normally follow a programme of study for the equivalent of not less than one year of full-time study and not more than two years of full-time study. Exceptions shall be permitted only with the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).

4. Examination

   1. The thesis shall be assessed by at least two examiners, at least one of whom shall be external to the University.

   2. The candidate's supervisor shall not be an examiner but may make a report on the work of the candidate to the Head of Department concerned.

   3. Each examiner shall supply a written report on the thesis and recommend a mark and grade on the basis of the thesis as submitted, and an overall result selected from the options as specified in clause (d) below.
   4. The examiners may recommend that a thesis:
      1. be accepted without amendments;
      2. be accepted subject to amendments being made at the discretion, and to the satisfaction, of the Head of Department concerned:
      3. does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, but may be revised and resubmitted for examination;
      4. does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, and should be rejected without right of resubmission.
   5. Amendments (regulation 4(d)(ii)) and revisions (regulation 4(d)(iii)) shall be completed by a specified date to be determined by the Head of Department concerned.
   6. A candidate shall be permitted to revise and resubmit a thesis for examination once only.
   7. If a revised and resubmitted thesis is finally accepted, the result shall be either 'Pass' or 'Fail' (i.e. ungraded) and without eligibility for the award of the degree with distinction or credit.
   8. Where examiners cannot agree on a result, the Head of Department concerned should so report to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) or nominee who shall arrive at a decision after consulting a referee who should normally be external to the University.
   9. The candidate may be required to take an oral examination in the field of knowledge in which the thesis lies.

5. Level of Award of the Degree

   The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.