Skip to content | Change text size
Handbooks Courses Units
 
Monash University

Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging

NOTE: This course has been updated - please refer to the undergraduate handbook change register for details.

Course code: 1963 ~ Course abbreviation: BRadMedImag ~ Total credit points required: 192 ~ 4 years full-time ~ Managing faculty: Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Clayton - F/T only)

Course description

The course provides a professional education in general radiography, digital vascular imaging, computed tomography, general ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging to facilitate entry into the radiography profession. There is a strong emphasis upon the development of clinical competency in general radiography and computed tomography. Throughout the course, the biological sciences are closely integrated with radiologic science, and students develop a range of professional skills in relation to the assessment and management of patients. All students complete a research project in an aspect of medical imaging and radiation sciences of interest to them.

Course objectives

A graduate with the award of Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging will have acquired a basic knowledge and understanding of the scientific concepts underpinning modern radiologic physics; the psycho-social basis of illness and disease; professional ethics and communication; patient care; radiation protection, radiation biology and x-ray dosimetry; radiographic equipment, imaging instrumentation and positioning methodology; human biology, anatomy (with its cross-sectional representation by CT, ultrasound and MRI) and physiology; the applications of informational technology in the field of medical imaging; digital image processing; and the instrumentation and practical applications of sonography and MRI.

It is expected that graduates will have the skills to be able to communicate an understanding of the wider applications and the biological consequences of ionising and non-ionising; utilise radiation in the diagnosis and treatment of disease; design and implement strategies to minimise the radiation dose to patients; select the optimum system and implement projections; critically evaluate radiographic and medical images; effectively participate under close supervision in a range of digital vascular, abdominal ultrasound and MRI examinations; and apply research principles, methods and findings to professional practice while adhering to the codes of professional conduct as set out by the Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR).

Special requirements

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.

Upon 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. It is recommended that students discuss any concerns with their doctor or the University Health Service.

Police checks and Working with Children checks

Organisations that host clinical and community placements require students to have current Police and Working with Children checks regarding their suitability to undertake such placements. All enrolled and prospective students are advised that they will be required to obtain Police and Working with Children checks prior to undertaking their course. Working with Children checks are valid for five years and are available free. Police checks must be applied and paid for annually. However, in some community partnered programs, there may be a requirement to have a police check renewed every six months.

Course structure

The course is designed to ensure that all imaging and methods, radiologic biology and professional skills units are closely related and integrated with the clinical studies. To broaden career opportunities, a range of selective research studies is available in year four of the course.

Clinical placements commence in first semester of first year and continue throughout all four years of the course. The clinical placements can be in hospitals and clinics in the metropolitan area or rural locations (where travel may be required) to extended periods in year four (where more clinical experience in general radiography will be undertaken to meet the requirements of the profession).

Further study programs at the masters level and higher may be undertaken to enhance radiography career opportunities.

Honours

A candidate is awarded a degree with honours for meritorious performance throughout the course. All units which have a numerical mark are considered in the determination of an honours result. Greater weight is given to units in the later years of the course than to those in the earlier years.

Course requirements

First year

First semester
Second semester
  • RAD1062 Radiographic imaging and methods 2
  • RAD1072 Radiologic dosimetry and safety
  • RAD1082 Radiologic biology 2
  • RAD1092 Radiographic professional skills 2
  • RAD1102 Clinical studies 2

Second year

First semester
Second semester
  • RAD2052 Medical imaging and methods 1 (DVI) and digital image processing 1
  • RAD2062 Radiologic biology 4
  • RAD2072 Radiographic professional skills 3
  • RAD2082 Clinical studies 4

Third year

First semester
  • RAD3011 Medical imaging and methods 2 (CT) and digital image processing 2
  • RAD3021 Sonographic imaging and methods I
  • RAD3031 Radiologic biology 5
  • RAD3041 Clinical studies 5
Second semester
  • RAD3032 Advanced medical imaging
  • RAD3062 Breast imaging and professional skills 4
  • RAD3082 Clinical studies 6
  • RAD3092 Magnetic resonance imaging (physics and technology)

Fourth year

Students undertake either the work experience unit or the five academic units in first semester and then the opposite in second semester.

  • RAD4000 Radiography and medical imaging work experience
  • RAD4010 Medical imaging and methods 3 (MRI)
  • RAD4030 Selective studies in medical imaging
  • RAD4040 Clinical studies 7 (MRI)
  • RAD4050 Clinical studies 8 (CT and DSA)

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging has been accredited by the Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR). Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as radiographers with the Medical Radiation Practitioners Board of Victoria.

Contact details

Telephone: +61 3 9905 1212; email enquiries.radiography@med.monash.edu.au; visit http://www.med.monash.edu.au/bradmedimag