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Master of Radiation Therapy

The MRT aims to prepare graduates who hold an undergraduate degree for professional practise as a radiation therapist. As this program leads to eligibility to practice, students in the course will be assisted in achieving prescribed professional competencies through practical and theoretical skill acquisition and by undertaking clinical fieldwork placements. Students undertake clinical placements in centres which are part of both the public and private sector.

During these placements they have the opportunity to develop an understanding of the career path they have chosen and its place in the modern medical environment. The pace of work in the MRT is reflective of postgraduate expectations, as is the level and complexity of the issues dealt with in the degree, including research project design.

A radiation therapist is responsible for the accurate and precise planning, calculation and delivery of radiation to cure or relieve the symptoms of malignant disease. A radiation therapist is involved in the localisation of the treatment area using treatment simulators and CT scans, the design and calculation of the treatment technique using sophisticated three-dimensional computerised planning systems, and the daily treatment of patients. They also provide emotional, social and educational support to their patients and because patients undergo treatment for several weeks, radiation therapists have the opportunity to develop friendly and supportive relationships with their patients.

Honours

(Not available to students commencing after 2010. This information is for continuing students only.)

The honours dissertation will follow the University policy regarding length of written output, that it should not exceed 20,000 words: www.usyd.edu.au/ab/policies/Guidelines_Terms.pdf. Honours grades will be determined by the performance of students in the honours dissertation as well as related units of study and follow university guidelines on assessment of coursework masters honours:
www.fhs.usyd.edu.au/learn_teach/mhonsmrkngmatrx.doc.

Course outline

The course will be offered full time at a postgraduate level leading to the award of the degree, Master of Radiation Therapy. The degree will be offered at the pass or honours level.

The general structure of the course is two years, full time with four semesters of four six-credit-point units including theoretical and clinical units of study, as based on a 16 week teaching calendar. Clinical placements will occur both during semester times and outside normal semester times as detailed in the clinical placement calendars.

The course outlines for the Master of Radiation Therapy at both pass and honours levels are presented in Tables 13.3 and 13.3.1. See Chapter 20 for unit descriptions and a list of faculty and research electives.

Table 13.3: Master of Radiation Therapy (Pass)

Unit of study Credit points A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition Session
Course code SC135: Credit points for award: 96
On-campus: full-time, 4 semesters

Year 1
Semester 1
BIOS5092
Bio Sciences for Health Professionals 		6      Semester 1
MRSC5011
Professional Practice Rad Therapy 1 		6      Semester 1
MRSC5034
Clinical Studies Radiation Therapy 1 		6      Semester 1
MRSC5047
Medical Radiation Sci Radiation Therapy 		6    N MRSC5002
Semester 1
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 2
MRSC5003
Foundations of Health Care Practice 		6      Semester 2
MRSC5012
Professional Practice Rad Therapy 2 		6    P MRSC5011 Professional Practice Rad Therapy 1
Semester 2
MRSC5035
Clinical Studies Radiation Therapy 2 		6    P MRSC5034 Clinical Studies Radiation Therapy 1
Semester 2
Elective [6] (see elective list below Table 13.3.1)
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS

Year 2
Semester 1
HIMT5067
Evidence Based Health Care 		6      Semester 1
MRSC5024
Professional Practice Rad Therapy 3 		6    P MRSC5012 Professional Practice Radiation Therapy 2
Semester 1
MRSC5036
Clinical Studies Radiation Therapy 3 		6    P MRSC5035 Clinical Studies Radiation Therapy 2
Semester 1
MRSC5042
Medical Radiation Science Rad Therapy 2 		6    P MRSC5002 Medical Radiation Science 1
Semester 1
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 2
MRSC5025
Professional Practice Rad Therapy 4 		6    P MRSC5024 Professional Practice Radiation Therapy 3
Semester 2
MRSC5037
Clinical Studies Radiation Therapy 4 		6    P MRSC5036 Clinical Studies Radiation Therapy 3
Semester 2
MRSC5043
Medical Radiation Science Rad Therapy 3 		6    P MRSC5042 Medical Radiation Science Rad Therapy 2
Semester 2
MRSC5044
Advanced MRS Practice 		6    P MRSC5013 Professional Practice Radiography 3 or MRSC5022 Professional Practice Nuclear Medicine 3 or MRSC5024 Professional Practice Rad Therapy 3
Semester 2
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS

Table 13.3.1: Master of Radiation Therapy (Honours)

Unit of study Credit points A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition Session
Note available to students commencing after 2010.
Course code SC136: Credit points for award: 96
On-campus: full-time, 4 semesters

Year 2
Last offered 2011
Semester 1
MRSC5021
Honours Dissertation B 		6    P MRSC5008 Honours Dissertation A
Semester 1
MRSC5024
Professional Practice Rad Therapy 3 		6    P MRSC5012 Professional Practice Radiation Therapy 2
Semester 1
MRSC5036
Clinical Studies Radiation Therapy 3 		6    P MRSC5035 Clinical Studies Radiation Therapy 2
Semester 1
MRSC5042
Medical Radiation Science Rad Therapy 2 		6    P MRSC5002 Medical Radiation Science 1
Semester 1
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 2
MRSC5025
Professional Practice Rad Therapy 4 		6    P MRSC5024 Professional Practice Radiation Therapy 3
Semester 2
MRSC5037
Clinical Studies Radiation Therapy 4 		6    P MRSC5036 Clinical Studies Radiation Therapy 3
Semester 2
MRSC5043
Medical Radiation Science Rad Therapy 3 		6    P MRSC5042 Medical Radiation Science Rad Therapy 2
Semester 2
MRSC5044
Advanced MRS Practice 		6    P MRSC5013 Professional Practice Radiography 3 or MRSC5022 Professional Practice Nuclear Medicine 3 or MRSC5024 Professional Practice Rad Therapy 3
Semester 2
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS

Graduate entry electives

Unit of study Credit points A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition Session

Electives
Electives may be taken from within or outside the Faculty of Health Sciences, subject to availability, prerequisites and minimum student enrolment. Students must discuss their choice of eelctive with their academic adviser prior to enrolment. Students may choose to select from the following suggested pool of electives
BACH5341
Research & Inquiry in Health Professions 		6    N BACH3126, BACH4047, BACH5268, DHSC7002, DHSC7005
Semester 1
Semester 2

Course rules

 

Master of Radiation Therapy


These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.

Course resolutions

1 Course codes

Code

Course title

SC135

Master of Radiation Therapy

2 Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for this course is full time only.

3 Master's type

The master's degree in these resolutions is a professional master's course, as defined by the Coursework Rule.

4 Admission to candidature

(1)
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on academic merit, according to the following admissions criteria.
(2)
Admission to candidature for the Master of Radiation Therapy requires a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, in a health-related discipline, or an equivalent qualification.

5 Requirements for award

(1)
The units of study that may be taken for this course are set out in the Table of Units of Study for the Master of Radiation Therapy.
(2)
To qualify for the award of the Master of Radiation Therapy a candidate must complete 96 credit points of units of study comprising:
(a)
90 credit points of core units; and
(b)
6 credit points of elective units, chosen either from the list of elective units in the Table or, with the approval of the Dean, from any postgraduate units offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences or by any other faculty in the University.

6 Transitional provisions

(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2011 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016. The Faculty may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.