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.

National Criminal Record Check

Students may be required to undergo a criminal record check and/or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration under the Child Protection Act 1998 as part of professional experience requirements. These checks are intended to identify people who might, because of convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, put students/clients' personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.

As such, prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a criminal record clearance or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration may limit practicum opportunities in some organisations and industries. Furthermore, criminal convictions involving violence or sexual offences may limit continued enrolment in a course and/or employment opportunities after completing the course.

If you have any queries regarding these matters, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Director.

Workplace learning

Clinical studies are an essential element of the course. Many clinical skills are gained and enhanced by practising in the clinical workplace through our clinical placement scheme.

Over the four years of academic study, medical radiation science students will be required to undertake 64 weeks of clinical placement (including a fourth year residency). The extent of clinical experience is required to ensure students gain the equivalent experience of the traditional professional development year (PDY) within their undergraduate studies. The Bachelor of Medical Radiation is undergoing accreditation from the Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR ) and from the Australia and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM). Following final accreditation, medical imaging and nuclear medicine students will be eligible for registration to practice within Australia and will be able to apply for the Statement of  Accreditation from the respective professional societies. Students graduate with a 'job ready' status, eligibility for full (rather than interim) accreditation and a competitive advantage in the employment market.

Travel, accommodation and any other costs associated with clinical studies are the responsibility of the student.

The Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science involves physical demands on students, particularly in clinical placements. These demands include lifting of patients and equipment, moving equipment, standing and walking for most of the working day and looking at monitor screens and bright light x-ray viewing boxes.

Any students who believe that they may have difficulty with these requirements are advised to contact the Course Coordinator or Student Equity Officer via info.csu on 1800 334 733 before enrolling.

Admission requirements

HSC subjects, or interstate equivalent, are not specified as a prerequisite for entry to the Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science. However, assumed knowledge includes NSW HSC mathematics and physics, or interstate equivalent.

For those without a background in HSC physics but accepted into the course, the University offers an eight-week STUDY LINK course in basic physics by distance education during December/January, and at other times throughout the year. This non-compulsory, fee paying short course is thoroughly recommended to anyone without a physics background. Contact info.csu on 1800 334 733 (free call) for more information.

Indicative ATAR

Due to limited places in the first intake of this course at Port Macquarie Campus, there is disparity in the ATAR between Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga campuses. The ATAR for both locations in the future is expected to be 70.00.

Physical capability

The Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science involves physical demands on students, particularly in clinical placements. These demands include lifting of patients and equipment, moving equipment, standing and walking for most of the working day and looking at monitor screens and bright light x-ray viewing boxes.

Any students who believe that they may have difficulty with these requirements are advised to contact the Course Coordinator or the Student Equity Officer via info.csu on 1800 334 733 before enrolling.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they

1. have undertaken an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average score of 6.5, and with scores of 6 or higher in each of the individual skill areas within the last 12 months;  or
2. undertaken a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 577 (or computerised TOEFL score of 233), with a Test for Written English Score (where reported) of at least 5.0 or an Internet-based score of 90 with a written score of 24 within the last 12 months; or
3. undertaken other equivalent examinations, as determined by the Board of Graduate Studies;  or
4. completed a university degree where the language of assessment is in English;

The Presiding Officer of the Board of Graduate Studies may, in special circumstances, on behalf of the Board waive the above proficiency requirements after consulting the relevant Dean, Sub-Dean and nominated Supervisor.

NOTE: A Faculty may require a higher standard of proficiency than that specified above for programs deemed to be linguistically demanding.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1