Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science is designed to provide students with the theoretical knowledge and professional skills necessary to practise as a qualified medical radiation scientist.

There is an increasing demand for highly educated and adaptable medical radiation science professionals in response to the aging population and organic growth of the industry (medical imaging, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine). There has also been an evolution in the medical radiation sciences to a more integrative model where the boundaries between one discipline and the next are increasingly less defined. CSU's Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science is designed to anticipate industry demands and is in a unique position to offer graduates a competitive advantage in the employment market.

The equipment used by medical radiation scientists has become increasingly sophisticated in the past decade and a comprehensive knowledge of equipment function, operation and computer interfacing is required. With an emphasis on the techniques and equipment used in diagnostic radiography, nuclear medicine and in other imaging modalities (such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET)), this course will provide a rewarding and fulfilling career for people interested in a technically-oriented healthcare field.

Students at Port Macquarie Campus can study the Medical Imaging specialisation only. The Port Macquarie Campus offering is not available to international students.

This course offers the following specialisations:

Medical Imaging

The field of medical imaging, also known as diagnostic radiography, demands a high degree of academic study, as well as clinical expertise in routine and advanced medical imaging procedures. As a radiographer, you will be concerned with producing high-quality medical images of the human body for medical diagnosis through the operation of specialist equipment, such as administering ionising radiation (x-rays), or MRI pulses to the patient. You will also be responsible for the care and welfare of your patients and will seek to minimise their radiation exposure.

Nuclear Medicine

The nuclear medicine scientist/technologist enjoys a challenging and varied career working in public or private nuclear medicine practices. The training undertaken in this course involves biological tracers (radiopharmaceuticals) that are used for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. This specialisation details the administration and imaging of these radiopharmaceuticals within the patient to detect physiological abnormalities and deliver appropriate treatment. This specialisation requires formal training and education in clinical, instrumentation and computing aspects of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), PET, CT, MRI, ultrasound and newer hybrid systems (SPECT/CT and PET/CT).

Radiation Therapy

The profession of radiation therapy involves the design and delivery of radiation treatment plans for people diagnosed with cancer and other pathological conditions. High academic knowledge and clinical skills are needed to ensure quality patient treatments. As a radiation therapist you will develop radiation therapy treatment plans tailored specifically for each patient's condition, work as part of a team to ensure the accurate, safe delivery of radiation to treat the patient, and be involved in the care and wellbeing of people diagnosed with cancer and other pathological conditions.

Learning facilities

To make sure you are experienced in using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include:

• CR units
• a clinical ultrasound machine
• Philips PRISM 1000 Gamma camera and multiple Odyssey VP/FX/LX computers
• Vita medical technegas ventilation equipment
• GE 400AC SPECT Gamma Camera and camstar computer
• Fully equipped radiopharmacy laboratory
• ADAC - Sun Sparc Ultra - 10 interfaced computer system for image analysis.

Professionals teaching you

The clinical and technical aspects of the course are taught by dedicated professionals with years of collective industry experience. Fundamental areas of the course are complemented by experienced physicists and anatomists/physiologists with a deep understanding of the needs of clinical medical imaging and nuclear medicine.

Additional admission requirements

Refer to the workplace learning section for information on:

• Immunisation
• National Criminal Record Clearance 

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.