Medical Radiation Sciences

Courses of study

There are three streams in the discipline of Medical Radiation Sciences: diagnostic radiography, nuclear medicine and radiation therapy. Studies in all three streams are available by coursework and research at postgraduate level and in the area of diagnostic radiography at undergraduate level; some postgraduate courses are offered in off-campus mode. See Chapter 13 for details of graduate courses and Chapter 19 for information on research degrees offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences.

All the courses are designed to stress the importance of developing a lifelong attitude to learning and provide graduates with a wide range of generic attributes. These skills allow them to develop not only within their chosen profession, but to branch into different careers as new opportunities arise. Qualifications are recognised worldwide and many of our graduates work overseas.

Professional information

A diagnostic radiographer is a qualified health professional who uses a range of modalities to provide images and data for the diagnosis and treatment of injury and disease. Diagnostic radiographers have the skills and knowledge to produce medical images and critically analyse these and data generated to determine whether they are diagnostically adequate and appropriate for radiological interpretation. In the radiology department, the diagnostic radiographer will usually work with the radiologist, however, outside the department they may work with a range of medical specialists in a variety of areas. Diagnostic radiographers are involved with digital imaging systems such as magnetic resonance imaging, a very sensitive method of imaging some parts of the body that is a rapidly expanding speciality, allowing the radiographer to be on the cutting-edge of advances in technology and associated research.

A nuclear medicine technologist works in the field of medicine that uses radionuclides in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. A nuclear medicine technologist€™s responsibilities include the preparation and administration of radiopharmaceuticals to patients and the acquisition and computer analysis of diagnostic functional images using sophisticated instrumentation. Nuclear medicine technologists have responsibility for critically analysing images and data to determine whether they are of a high diagnostic standard, for performing quality control procedures in all aspects of their work and for ensuring that they provide a high level of patient care.

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 CT scans and treatment simulators, 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, since patients undergo treatment for several weeks.

Graduates from each of the three streams are required to work for one year in an approved clinical centre before receiving full accreditation from their respective professional associations.

Health professionals working in any of the fields described above must combine technical competence and expertise with a high level of communication and interpersonal skills. At all times they must maintain a high level of concern for the care and safety of patients. As health professionals they are an integral part of the medical team.

Further information

T: +61 2 9351 9161
Website: sydney.edu.au/health_sciences

Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiation Sciences)

Note: This undergraduate course is only offered in diagnostic radiography. See page 97 for further information on postgraduate courses.

Admission requirements

There are no specific prerequisites for admission to the Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiation Sciences) course. The general admission requirements apply. However, prospective students would benefit from undertaking mathematics, and either one of physics, chemistry, or biology at HSC level. Good oral English communication skills are assumed as a large component of the course involves dealing directly with people in clinical settings.

Honours

Students are advised to contact the diagnostic radiography honours course coordinator for specific information related to the Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiation Sciences) honours program.

Course outline

The course outline for the diagnostic radiography program is presented in Table 3.1, the nuclear medicine program is presented in Table. 3.2 and the radiation therapy see Table 3.3. The honours program is presented in Table 3.4. Units of study are described in Chapter 7.

Table 3.1: Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiation Sciences) Diagnostic Radiography Pass

Table 3.2: Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiation Sciences) Nuclear Medicine Pass

Table 3.3: Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiation Sciences) Radiation Therapy Pass

Table 3.4: Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiation Sciences) Honours

Notes to the tables

1. Clinical placements

Due to clinical education placements some academic semesters are not run over the entire 16 weeks. Academic teaching and assessment will be condensed to fit with these placements.

2. Honours

Students have the option to enrol in the honours program in full-time mode or part-time mode. Students in full-time mode complete their honours over one year ie two full-time semesters. Students in part-time mode complete their honours over two years ie two part-time semesters in year 4 and two part-time in year 5.

Clinical Education

For further information on Clinical Education visit:
http://sydney.edu.au/health_sciences/clinical/

Course rules