Undergraduate - UnitRAD3051 - Medical imaging science and practice 1

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2015 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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18 points, SCA Band 2, 0.375 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational Unit	Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
Offered	Clayton First semester 2015 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Matthew Dimmock and Ms Ruth Druva

Synopsis

Computed tomography: scientific principles and operational modes. System components and image characteristics. Image reconstruction techniques, summation convolution back-projection. Fourier reconstruction and algebraic and iterative reconstruction methods. Helical/spiral and multislice CT systems. CT artefacts and quality assurance. Principles of CT dosimetry and radiation protection. Clinical CT examinations for the head, chest, abdomen and spine; CT sectional anatomy and imaging pathology. General radiography including contrast, trauma, paediatric and mobile imaging. Digital image processing, computer interfaces, medical image formats, the Dicom standard, image compression and the hospital Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS).

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

Explain the scientific principles underpinning computed tomography;
Describe and represent the physical configuration of axial, helical and multislice CT systems;
Explain and distinguish between the various data acquisition and image reconstruction processes used in CT and their characteristics;
Identify common CT artefacts, explain their cause and suggest methods to correct for them;
Apply radiation protection and dosimetry principles to the practice of CT;
Describe the principles underpinning advanced digital image processing, image distribution, data transfer and storage options used in specialised applications in medical digital imaging (such as scan reconstruction, 3-dimensional reconstruction, network architectures and DICOM standard for image exchange);
Explain the clinical rationale for the selection of CT scanning protocols, image display and reconstruction methods for CT examinations of the head, chest, abdomen and spine;
Implement and evaluate positioning methods, scanning protocols, image display and reconstruction routines for CT examinations of the head, chest, abdomen and spine;
Identify the CT appearances of the anatomical structures comprising the head, chest, abdomen and spine and distinguish between normal and abnormal structures as shown on CT;
Reach the level of competent student radiographer in general radiography including contrast, trauma, paediatric and mobile imaging;
Apply evidence based inquiry principles developed in second year to an advanced radiographic practice clinical issue.

Assessment

Written examination (3 hours) (40%)
MCQ CT postclinical exam (1 hour) (5%)
Online tests (20 minutes) (Hurdle) and Radiographic image evaluation exam (1 hour) (10%)
2 x SOLAR assignments (1,000 words each) (10%)
Clinical learning portfolio (25%)
Evidence based assignment (2,000 words) (10%)

Hurdle: All elements of assessment must be passed to pass the unit.