Undergraduate - Course1963 - Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging

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, evidence based practice, and research methods. In final year, students complete either a research project in an aspect of medical imaging and radiation sciences of interest to them or extended study in sonography and an in depth literature review of a selected medical imaging topic.

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 legal obligations, professional communication, and research methods
• 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
• 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 radiographic projections
• critically evaluate radiographic and medical images
• effectively participate under close supervision in a range of digital vascular, abdominal ultrasound and MRI examinations
• apply research principles, methods and findings to professional practice while adhering to the codes of professional conduct as set out by the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia.

Special requirements

Health requirements

For the protection of other students, patients and themselves, students in the Master of Medical Radiations course should comply with certain precautionary procedures.

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.

Students enrolled in the Master of Medical Radiations are required to meet the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Immunisation and Infection Risk Policy (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/immunisation/). Students should accept the responsibility for having a satisfactory immunisation status prior to the commencement of the clinical components.

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. Immunisations include diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis B.

Police checks and Working with Children checks

Organisations that host clinical and community placements require students to have current Police checks 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 these 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.

Clinical practice

This course requires students to undertake off-campus clinical placements. In the clinical setting students will have an opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision. Attendance is mandatory for the clinical component of each unit.

Where a student's skill or knowledge is found to be inadequate, access to the clinical component of the unit will be denied. A student may be withdrawn from a clinical practicum if required skills and knowledge are deemed inadequate, or on other grounds deemed appropriate by the Head of Department. This may impact on a student's course progression, however, students will be given the opportunity to repeat any relevant unit/s.

Clinical expenses

Students are responsible for all travel and accommodation expenses during clinical placement. Uniforms and accessories are required for clinical placements and students will be notified regarding purchase arrangements upon commencement.

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.

This course comprises 16 compulsory units.

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.

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.

First year

First semester

• RAD1021 Radiologic physics
• RAD1031 Radiologic biology 1
• RAD1061 Radiographic science and practice 1

Second semester

• RAD1012 Radiographic science and practice 2
• RAD1082 Radiologic biology 2

Second year

First semester

• RAD2051 Radiographic science and practice 3
• RAD2061 Radiologic biology 3

Second semester

• RAD2012 Radiographic science and practice 4
• RAD2092 Radiologic biology 4 and sectional anatomy

Third year

First semester

• RAD3051 Medical imaging science and practice 1
• RAD3061 Medical imaging science (ultrasound)

Second semester

• RAD3042 Medical imaging science and practice 2
• RAD3092 Magnetic resonance imaging (physics and technology

Fourth year

• RAD4000 Radiography and medical imaging work experience
• RAD4070 Research in medical imaging (24 points), or RAD4080 Selected topics in medical imaging (24 points),
• RAD4160 Advanced medical imaging and clinical skills (24 points),

Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging
Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging (with Honours)

Where more than one award is listed the actual award conferred may depend on units/majors/streams/specialisations studied, the level of academic merit achieved, or other factors relevant to the individual student's program of study.