Discovery
Make a world of difference. Discovery could literally make the world a different place.
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The opportunities are endless
Whether you’re a school leaver, an industry professional who’s interested in up-skilling, or looking for a new career, a world of discovery awaits with Southbank Institute science-based courses. With science offering endless opportunities, we provide Advanced Diploma, Diploma and Certificate level qualifications and university pathways - to provide foundational and specialist skills so there’s bound to be something to suit your career goals.
» Download our latest printed Sciences program guide (PDF, 568k).
Or, for the latest detailed course information keep reading…
Laboratory Technology is the foundational training for all our science specialisations. A Laboratory Technician or Scientific Technical Officer assists scientists by using scientific equipment to take measurements, accurately record the results and present the results ready for analysis. Lab Techs may work as part of a team on specific projects or independently on sample testing. It’s important that a Lab Tech has an eye for detail and can work accurately and precisely.
Day in the life of a Lab Technician
- Collecting samples ‘in the field’. Depending on the industry you’re working in it could be environmental samples of water or soil, or if you’re in the forensics field it could be blood or fibre from a crime scene.
- Head back to the lab and analyse your samples through a range of tests using state-of-the-art equipment.
- The tests you run will be specific to what you’re looking to find or diagnose.
- Draft a report of your findings and make your conclusions linking back to the original request.
- In many cases you may even be able to make a preliminary diagnosis.
Pathology is the scientific study of diseases and conditions, their causes and development. Pathology testing is used by doctors, nurses and specialists to diagnose and monitor human diseases by analysing blood and other human samples. Your work in this area assists in the overall health management of a patient and you may be involved in cutting edge research that contributes to curing a disease.
Forensics is one of the most well known health sciences with popular TV programs such as CSI putting it in the public domain. It is the science of analysing evidence of situations or from crime scenes to assist in investigation or to provide impartial evidence. Your analysis could assist in solving a crime and bring someone to justice!
Food science looks at what food is made up of and how it changes when it’s processed, from harvesting to cooking and eating. The food science industry covers many areas including the development of new food products, food preservation, food packaging, consumer sensory analysis and food manufacturing processes. You could discover how to feed the world’s growing population!
Pharmaceuticals concentrates on the development, production and supply of pills and medicines to treat diseases and conditions. This important work can help to treat common diseases like the flu or more serious conditions like schizophrenia. The pharmaceutical industry saves thousands of Australians from hospitalisation, surgery and death each year as they use medicines discovered by organisations working in this area. You could discover a life changing treatment!
Environment and sustainability focuses on the scientific analysis of environmental problems and the solutions to these issues. The atmosphere, including global warming and pollution, is one of the most popular fields in this industry and one that many people are concerned about. Your analysis of a micro-environment could discover the chain of events to fill the ozone hole!
Analytical chemistry contributes to many other scientific areas such as forensics and environment. It looks at the separation and identification of the chemical parts making up natural and artificial materials. A huge range of experiments and tests are used to analyse the make up of a material which all help create more advanced tools to provide better chemical analysis and information.
Biosciences is the science of using living things, and parts of living things (organisms) to produce goods and services, often with the aim of improving the quality of human life. For example, manipulation and modification of organisms can improve the quality and availability of food, radically change healthcare and help reduce the environmental impact of humans. You could make a real difference to the human race in this area.
It’s a career with loads of options. There are a large number of organisations employing Lab Techs with work in a wide range of industry specialisations so there a good chance there will be something for you.
University pathways
Studying science at uni is a dream for many students and not getting the right Overall Position (OP) score isn’t the end of university study. Since Southbank TAFE changed to Southbank Institute we have focused on opening up doors for students to gain access into universities. Our pathways to university opens up the following options…
- You could benefit from guaranteed entry into uni - no reapplying through QTAC
- Significantly reduce the time it takes to get a degree (usually 3 years)
- Get at least two qualifications plus great practical and theoretical skills - that’s what appeals to employers.
Adv. Diploma of Laboratory Operations + QUT, Bachelor of Applied Science = 4yrs
Adv. Diploma of Laboratory Operations + Griffith University, Bachelor of Science = 4yrs
Adv. Diploma of Laboratory Operations + University of the Sunshine Coast, Bachelor of Biomedical Science = 3.5yrs
Adv. Diploma of Laboratory Operations + University of the Sunshine Coast, Bachelor of Environmental Science = 3.5yrs
Study now, pay later
Study now, pay later is available on our full fee paying Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations university pathway courses. This is funded through an interest free Commonwealth loan (called VET FEE-HELP) which assists eligible students to pay for their tuition fees. For more information click here.
Last updated 8 October, 2010