About our school
The School of Dentistry and Health Sciences was formed in 2008. The new school brings together CSU's rich history of health professional education in Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Nutrition and Dietetics. These disciplines have been joined by the new disciplines of Dentistry and Oral Health, which will have their first intake of students in 2009.
Medical Imaging
CSU has provided graduates from its undergraduate programs in Diagnostic Radiography and Medical Imaging since 1980. The Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging) focuses on the techniques, protocols and equipment used in diagnostic radiography, and in other imaging modalities, to prepare graduates for a career in this highly technical area of health care.
A Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging) conversion course is also offered to enable qualified radiographers to upgrade to academic degree level. The course is available to those holding either Australian tertiary institution awarded Associate Diploma and Diploma qualifications or non-Australian qualifications, which are not recognised as being an Australian three-year, full-time degree equivalent. This course is purely academic does not usually include a clinical practice component.
All undergraduate programs in Medical Imaging are accredited by the Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR). Following a Professional Development Year, in an accredited hospital or practice, graduates may be eligible for a Statement of Accreditation from the AIR. Graduates from the conversion program will have to meet the clinical competency requirementsof the AIR to be eligible. The Statement of Accreditation enables graduates to practice in all Australian States and Territories and a number of overseas countries.
Nuclear Medicine
In the late 1990s, CSU commenced an undergraduate program in Nuclear Medicine. The training undertaken in this course involves preparation and imaging of radioactive compounds (radiopharmaceuticals), which are used for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. The nuclear medicine scientist/technologist enjoys a challenging and varied career working in public or private nuclear medicine practices. The course details the preparation, imaging and analysis of the biodistribution within the patient of a wide variety of radiopharmaceuticals to detect small changes in organ or tissue function. The equipment used by nuclear medicine scientists/technologists is highly sophisticated. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the physical, instrumentation and data processing principles that underpin patient scanning, analysis and interpretation. Graduates of the course are eligible for full accreditation with the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM) on completion of a Professional Development Year (PDY) in an accredited nuclear medicine practice. An honours program in Medical Radiation Science is offered to students as either an additional fourth year of study full time or part time over 2 years.
Nutrition and Dietetics
In 2000 the CSU offered the Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Dietetics) program which is the first of its kind offered outside a metropolitan area in Australia. A growing community and government concern with the health of Australians and the role of nutrition has raised the profile of the work of dietitians and their importance to public health. A demand exists for dietitians in rural communities and a range of research studies and professional literature indicates a need for a rural perspective to dietitian education. Graduates work professionally as dietitians in a range of clinical, private practice and industry settings. The Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Dietetics) degree received full accreditation by the Board of the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) in 2007. As a result of this accreditation, all graduates of the Bachelor degree are now eligible to apply for DAA membership with Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) status.
All of the above programs and Oral Health will be available from the Wagga Wagga campus and the Dentistry will be offered on the Orange campus.
Ultrasound
The post graduate ultrasound courses commenced in 2000 and are fully accredited by the Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry. Sonographers have a high level of decisional latitude and responsibilty in the workplace and are currently rated in the top 5 professions in demand in Australia. The popular CSU programs offer students the opportunity to study a structured, distance education program that is relevant to their professional needs. Students must be employed in a general ultraound department a minimum of three days per week, with appropriate supervision, for the duration of the course. Postgraduate diploma students graduate with skills commensurate with the beginning practitioner, whilst Masters students continue with a research component that aims to inform clinical ultrasound practice.
Dentistry and Oral Health to commence in 2009
The Federal Government announced funding for the new CSU Dentistry program in the 2007/8 Budget on 8 May 2007.
The new program is due to commence in 2009 with pre-clinical and clinical facilities in Orange (dentistry) and Wagga Wagga (oral health) and Dental Education Clinics in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst and Dubbo in New South Wales.
Students enrolling at CSU's Orange or Wagga Wagga campuses will have the opportunity to undertake clinical training at Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst or Dubbo in later years or in other locations
CSU will offer a 3 year Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy/Hygiene) for students interested in admission as para dental professions and a 5 year Bachelor of Dental Science for admission as a dental practitioner. The University will work with the Australian Dental Association (NSW) and Australian Dental Council to ensure accreditation of the programs for admission purposes.
Work has already commenced on the construction of new buildings, including dental clinics, for Charles Sturt University's new $65.1 million School of Dentistry and Health Sciences.
Honours and Postgraduate courses
An honours program is offered to students completing 3 year undergraduate health programs. This program is an additional fourth year of study (or 2 years part time while you commence your career).
A number of postgraduates programs, by both course work and research, are offered through the School. They include:
- Postgraduate Diploma of Medical Radiation Science - with specialisations in CT, MRI or Radiographic Image Interpretation
- Postgraduate Diploma of Medical Ultrasound
- Master of Medical Radiation Science
- Master of Medical Radiation Science - with specialisations in CT, MRI or Radiographic Image Interpretation
- Master of Medical Radiation Science - Nuclear Medicine
- Master of Medical Ultrasound
- Master of Health Science - research masters
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Doctor of Health Science