Postgraduate - Course3433 - Master of Medical Ultrasound

This distance education course is aimed at health care professionals who are working in clinical ultrasound for a minimum of three days per week and who wish to develop proficiency in the provision of medical ultrasound and obtain further training in the area of medical ultrasound research. The course is structured to enable exit at:

• Graduate Certificate in Medical Ultrasound (24 credit points)
• Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound (48 credit points)
• Master of Medical Ultrasound (72 credit points)

The Graduate Certificate introduces the students to the introductory concepts of ultrasound and then enables a focus in a particular branch of clinical ultrasound. A Graduate Diploma is required to obtain accreditation with the Australasian Sonographers Accreditation Registry (ASAR) which will enable the successful graduate to practice as a qualified sonographer. The Masters extension of the program enables development of advanced practice and research skills. The course resources are provided mainly on line. The material is structured to guide the student through the material on a weekly schedule with exercises that ensure the course retains a clinical focus.

A graduate from the Master of Medical Ultrasound will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following:

• the potential biological consequences of ultrasound, sonographic and optimisation of instrumentation and quality assurance
• professional ethics, guidelines and standards for the conduct of clinical ultrasound, medico-legal issues, patient care, infection control and professional communication.
• the principles underpinning scientific research and their application

The first two years of the course provide a sound knowledge and understanding of embryology, anatomy and pathophysiology as a solid foundation to ultrasound methodology. The areas of practice covered include abdominal, breast, thyroid, reproductive, obstetric, musculoskeletal, paediatric, neonatal, post-operative and vascular ultrasound. The final year focuses on developing research skills.

Assessment

Assessment includes written assignments, theory and image recognition exams, clinical skills examinations, research reports and presentations.

Students must be engaged in clinical ultrasound for a minimum of three (3) days per week in order to proceed beyond the first two (foundation) units: SON4000 - Physics of medical ultrasound and instrumentation and SON4010 - Embryology, anatomy and pathophysiology. This is required in order for students to develop appropriate practical skills. Students may enrol in the foundation units without a clinical training placement, but will not be able to progress any further in the course without a clinical placement. Monash University cannot assist students in gaining clinical training placements.

This course is accredited by the Australasian Sonographers Accreditation Registry.

This course comprises 10 units.

Year one

Semester one

• SON4000 Physics of medical ultrasound and instrumentation
• SON4010 Embryology, anatomy and pathophysiology

Semester two

• SON4020 Sonographic professional skills and sonography of the breast and thyroid
• SON4021 Sonographic abdominal imaging

Year two

Semester one

• SON4022 Sonographic imaging of the reproductive system
• SON4023 Obstetric sonography

Semester two

• SON4024 Musculoskeletal, neonatal and paediatric sonography
• SON4025 Sonographic vascular and postoperative imaging

Year three

Semester one

• MFM4016 Introduction to research methods

Semester two

• SON5000 Ultrasound research

Students may exit this course with a Graduate Certificate in Medical Ultrasound or Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound, providing all requirements of that award have been met.

Master of Medical Ultrasound