Undergraduate Handbook 2001 - Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging

Monash University: University Handbooks: Undergraduate Handbook 2001: Subjects indexed by faculty
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Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging

General information
Accreditation
Admission and selection
Health requirements
Police checks
Course structure
Subjects for the BRadMedImag

To apply for registration as a medical imaging practitioner in Victoria, a person must obtain a Statement of Accreditation from the Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR). Successful completion of the four-year Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging will enable graduates to receive their Statement of Accreditation and apply to the Medical Radiation Technologists Board of Victoria for registration.

Admission and selection

Quota

In 2001 it is expected that the first-year intake will be 30 students. In addition to these places, the faculty will offer a limited number of first-year places to suitably qualified overseas students on a full-fee paying basis as well as to local students.

Selection

To be eligible for selection into the course an applicant must apply through the VTAC system and complete a Monash Radiography Application Form.

VCE prerequisites

The prerequisites for entry into radiography at Monash are:
(a) a study score of at least 25 in English
(b) a study score of at least 25 in Physics
(c) a study score of at least 25 in Specialist Mathematics or Mathematical Methods

Selection procedure

1. All applicants must complete a Monash Radiography Application Form, which is to be returned to the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences by 30 November. The information on the form will be used to supplement that already supplied to VTAC.
2. Selection will be made on the basis of the ENTER and will involve a two-stage process with a middle band of approximately 20 per cent.

Middle-band selection

Applicants who have achieved a study score of at least 30 in Biology will be deemed to have an ENTER up to one percentage point higher. An interview may be required during the selection period in the first half of January.

Admission to first year with equivalent qualifications

Students who have not achieved their entrance qualifications in Victoria must hold qualifications which in the faculty's opinion are equivalent to those held by local candidates. The qualifications must include the same prerequisite subjects as those for local candidates outlined above. Such applicants must demonstrate at least the same level of academic merit as that which is required for local applicants.

Applications from non-school leavers

Applicants presenting with either partially complete or completed tertiary qualifications will be considered for entry to the radiography course. In considering such applications the faculty selection committee will take account of an applicant's entire academic record and motivation as evidenced by the responses in the Monash Radiography Application Form. An interview may be required during the first half of January 2001. Applications for later-year entry may be considered. Applicants for later-year entry must clearly demonstrate to the faculty selection committee that the content of their previous studies is at least equivalent to the Monash radiography course components for which they are seeking exemption.
If you wish to apply for the Monash radiography course, please note that the guide for prospective students which contains the appropriate application form is published by the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), 40 Park Street, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205. This guide is available from VTAC in July or August and applications for courses close during September. Non-school-leaver applicants must also complete the Monash Radiography Application Form obtainable from the faculty office after Monash Open Day, 6 August.
Monash University students applying solely for a transfer to the Monash radiography course must complete the Monash Internal Transfer Form, available from the faculty office after Monash Open Day, 6August. A VTAC application is not necessary.

International students

Places are available in the first year of the radiography course for international students (overseas full-fee-paying students). These students come from overseas to study in Australia under student visas and return overseas upon completion of their degree.
Selection of international students is determined on the basis of each applicant's academic qualifications. In addition to original documentary evidence of such qualifications, applicants may be required to attend for an interview which would assess their verbal command of the English language.
Prospective applicants should be aware that the fee charged for the course will be set annually, taking into account inflation and other factors.

Health requirements

For the protection of other students and themselves, students in the radiography course should comply with certain precautionary procedures. These consist of confidential tests for immune status (including blood tests and skin tests), receiving vaccines and having X-rays where the evidence indicates these are appropriate and there are not specific contraindications in individual cases.
This policy is in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council advice that educational institutions training students in health sciences should ensure that such students are protected as far as possible by vaccination against risks of infection.
The faculty recommends that all students accept responsibility for having up-to-date immunisations before commencing the radiography course. Immunisations recommended are diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis and hepatitis B.
Prospective students should note that on enrolment, students are provided with detailed written information and, as appropriate, counselling about the effect that HIV or hepatitis B infection may have on the ability of health care workers to practise their profession. In addition, arrangements will be made by the faculty for every student to have a personal consultation early in the first year with an infectious diseases physician. At this time, a check for each student's immunity to diseases such as tuberculosis will be conducted and students will be offered personal advice and counselling about infectious diseases and their personal health.

Police checks

Organisations that host clinical placements may require students to have obtained a police check regarding their suitability to undertake such placements. All enrolled and prospective students are advised that they may be required to obtain and pay for a police check prior to undertaking the clinical placements in their course.

Course structure

The subjects included in this innovative curriculum will be managed and taught by committees of representatives from diverse academic and clinical departments to ensure vertical and horizontal integration in teaching and assessment methods. The basic sciences will be appropriately contextualised in relation to the clinically oriented subjects to ensure relevance and rigour throughout all years of the course. Likewise, the clinical studies subjects are designed to interface with the academic subjects so that at the time students are introduced, for example, to the central nervous system they experience and participate in clinical imaging examinations and procedures intended to display the system in its coronal, sagittal and axial planes.
In addition, the curriculum has been designed in accordance with the philosophy of the Professional Accreditation and Education Board (PAEB), which has resolved to support the new course. The two-stage accreditation process of the course by the PAEB is currently under review.
RAD1021 (Radiologic physics) in first semester of first year provides the physical and mathematical principles underpinning the radiographic imaging and methods subject groupings. RAD1072 (Radiologic dosimetry and safety) in second semester of first year underpins the third-year subject RAD3062 (Mammography and medical imaging dosimetry).
The introduction to computers, undertaken in the context of RAD1041 and RAD1092 (Radiographic professional skills 1 and 2), forms the foundation of the information technology component of the subject RAD2052 (Medical imaging and methods 1 [DVI] and digital image processing 1) undertaken in second semester of second year.
The knowledge and skills developed in information technology and digital image processing in the subject RAD2052 (Medical imaging and methods 1(DVI) and digital image processing 1) is extended in the third-year subject RAD3011 (Medical imaging and methods 2 [CT]) and digital image processing 2, as well as in the fourth-year subject RAD4010 (Medical imaging and methods 3 [MRI]). Electives in integrated PACS environments and teleradiology, advanced MRI and advanced dosimetry will be offered in fourth year.
In RAD1031 (Radiologic biology 1), the student is introduced to the foundation principles of human biology, genetics, anatomy, physiology and pathology. These principles will enable students to understand the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system and the respiratory system studied in detail in RAD1082 (Radiologic biology 2), the gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and urinary systems studied in RAD2021 (Radiologic biology 3), the cardiovascular and lymphatic system studied in RAD2062 (Radiologic biology 4), the anatomical structure of the skull, brain and the central nervous system undertaken in RAD3031 (Radiologic biology 5). Embryology of the body systems, the structure and physiology of the reproductive organs, the anatomy and function of the endocrine organs, pregnancy and the development of the foetus, genotype and phenotype and the inheritance of sex will be studied in detail in the third-year subject RAD3072 (Radiologic biology 6).
RAD1041/RAD1092 and RAD2072, the radiographic professional skills subjects in first and second years, are closely related to the subjects RAD1011, RAD1062 and RAD2011 (Radiographic imaging and methods 1, 2 and 3) and RAD2052 (Medical imaging and methods 1 (DVI) and digital image processing 1). The laboratory and tutorial components of RAD1011/RAD1062 (Radiographic imaging and methods 1 and 2) will develop the requisite preclinical skills for successful participation in RAD1051/RAD1102 (Clinical studies 1 and 2). In a similar way, the laboratory and tutorial components of RAD3011 (Medical imaging and methods 2 (CT) and digital image processing 2) will prepare students for successful participation in RAD3041 (Clinical studies 5).

First year

First semester

First semester of first year covers the essential physics, mathematics and radiation protection principles underpinning radiography, the imaging methods for radiographic examinations of the upper and lower limbs and chest and the study of the psycho-social basis of illness and behaviour, patient care and communication skills -- RAD1011 (Radiographic imaging and methods 1), RAD1021 (Radiologic physics) and RAD1041 (Professional skills 1). An introduction to the biological sciences and the study of the musculoskeletal system including surface anatomy and radiographic anatomy, is provided and relevant clinical practice is undertaken -- RAD1031 (Radiologic biology 1) and RAD1051 (Clinical studies 1).

Second semester

In second semester, students complete the imaging methods for the appendicular skeleton and commence imaging methods for the axial skeleton -- RAD1062 (Radiographic imaging and methods 2). The study of the musculoskeletal system and associated pathology and radiographic pathology is completed in RAD1082 (Radiologic biology 2) as is the study of the psycho-social basis of illness and behaviour, patient care and infection control in radiographic practice in RAD1092 (Professional skills 2). An introduction to radiation dosimetry and radiation biology is provided in RAD1072 (Radiographic dosimetry and safety). Relevant clinical experience is undertaken in RAD1102 (Clinical studies 2).

Second year

First semester

In first semester of second year, the subject RAD2011 (Radiographic imaging and methods 3) covers the technical and physical principles underpinning fluoroscopic imaging, the radiographic methods for mobile imaging, paediatrics, foreign body localisation, and the gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and urinary systems. In RAD2021 (Radiologic biology 3), students study the structure, function and disorders of the gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and urinary systems. Surface anatomy, radiographic anatomy including cross-sectional imaging anatomy and radiographic pathology. The principles of the pharmacology of radiographic contrast media are covered in RAD2031 (Pharmacology) and appropriate clinical experience is undertaken in RAD2041 (Clinical studies 3).

Second semester

In second semester, students develop an understanding of the role of information technology (IT) in medical imaging, study the contrast examinations for the vascular system, and are introduced to digital image processing in medical imaging in RAD2052 (Medical imaging and methods 1 (DVI) and digital image processing 1). They study the anatomical and physiological principles pertinent to the vascular system, common disorders and the relevant imaging anatomy and angiographic pathology in RAD2062 (Radiologic biology 4). RAD2072 (Professional skills 3) provides students with the knowledge of patient care required for the contrast examinations of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, urinary and vascular system. Clinical practice in contrast radiography, and medical imaging examinations is undertaken in RAD2082 (Clinical studies 4).

Third year

First semester

In first semester of third year, RAD3011 covers the technological and physical principles underpinning computed tomography (CT), radiation protection in CT, advanced IT, radiography of the skull and facial bones, CT methods for the whole body and myelography. The subject also extends the basic knowledge of digital image processing gained in second year. In RAD3031 students complete the axial skeleton and cover the anatomy and physiology of nervous tissue, the spinal cord and special senses including radiographic anatomy and pathology. The physical principles of ultrasound, instrumentation, the biological effects of ultrasound together with scanning methods for the adult upper abdominal organs are covered in RAD3021. Relevant clinical practice in CT and sonography of the abdominal viscera is undertaken in RAD3041.

Second semester

In second semester, students extend their sonographic studies into the field of male and female reproductive systems, breast and thyroid. The subject RAD3052 also introduces students to ethics in ultrasound and the application of the law and legal procedures in hospital and medical settings. RAD3062 introduces students to mammography and extends the knowledge of dosimetry gained in first year into its application to medical imaging examinations. Students will study human embryology, genetics, the structure and function of the reproductive organs, and the endocrine system in RAD3072. Clinical practice in abdominal sonography will occur in RAD3082

Fourth year

This year is not semesterised. In addition to the academic program, students must undertake a professional clinical placement (PCP) to meet the hour requirements of the AIR. RAD4010 (Medical imaging and methods 3 (MRI) covers the technological and physical principles underpinning magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), techniques and methods for MRI studies of the head and neck, spine, thoracic and abdominal regions, and extremities, the associated cross-sectional appearances and pathology. RAD4020 (Sonographic methods 3) extends the study of sonography into the principles of obstetric, peripheral vascular and extra cranial ultrasound imaging and methods. Relevant clinical experience in sonography will be gained in the subject RAD4050 (Clinical studies 8) and in MRI in RAD4040 (Clinical studies 7). The subject RAD4030 (Selective studies in medical imaging) will extend the students' knowledge and understanding of scientific research methodologies and basic research skills in radiography and medical imaging developed in earlier subjects. Students will be required to undertake a selected topic that will extend their knowledge and practical research skills in an aspect of radiography and medical imaging.