309868 v.3 Bachelor of Science (Medical Imaging Science)

BSc(Curtin) OR BSc(Hons)(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 055611G
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 4 Years

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Course Overview

Bachelor degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications.

Medical Imaging (Diagnostic Radiography) is the practice of taking medical images of patients' internal body parts. A range of technologies are used, including radiography, fluoroscopy, angiography, computed tomography, mammography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine. These images are usually used to confirm or exclude a medical diagnosis, to advise on the treatment of illness, monitor patient progress, or provide medical screening. Medical imaging professionals act as part of a health care team, make decisions regarding the nature and extent of individual imaging procedures, and provide doctors and other medical specialists with informed opinions on the images they collect. As they deal directly with patients and the general public, they must be sensitive to the needs of ill or traumatised people, and possess excellent interpersonal skills.

Professional Recognition

Graduates from this program will receive full accreditation from the Australian Institute of Radiography, which will enable the graduate to obtain employment within Australia and be registered in those States having such legislation upon graduation. Full accreditation enables the graduate to seek appropriate positions within or outside Australia.

Career Opportunities

Medical imaging professionals are usually employed in the medical imaging/radiology departments of large teaching hospitals, private and country hospitals, and private radiological clinics. Graduates may work in more general areas of practice, including general radiography, emergency departments, operating theatres, intensive and coronary care units, neonatal and paediatric departments and mammography. Professionals may eventually specialise in particular areas of practice, or in specific techniques such as computed tomography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging or picture archiving and communication systems (PACS). Graduates may also pursue more technical careers in medical physics or biophysics, quality control, radiation health, or with equipment manufacturers. Managerial careers within medical imaging service departments are also possible, as is pursuing further education or research. Curtin's medical imaging graduates are highly regarded and employment opportunities are readily available, in both metropolitan and rural and regional areas. There is high industry demand, and you will be qualified to work anywhere in Australia, and in many locations internationally.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.

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Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au and include flexible entry pathways.

Applicants require Physics 3A/3B and Mathematics 3C/3D or Mathematics: Specialist 3C/3D STAT is not accepted for entry to this course.

Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.

Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to a bachelor degree with honours and some graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.

Specific Course Completion Details

A first aid qualification (Senior First Aid Certificate or equivalent) is required prior to undertaking clinical medical imaging placements. The Western Australian Department of Health has a mandatory requirement that all students undertaking clinical placements in public health facilities must be able to provide upon request a current criminal screening check. Therefore a Police Clearance is also required prior to undertaking clinical medical imaging placements. Students are required to undergo screening for and vaccination against a range of infectious diseases before beginning clinical medical imaging placements.

Course Entry/Completion Note

Applicants for this course should refer to the Clinical Health Sciences section of the faculty website

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Course Organisation

Bachelor degrees typically contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from to pursue learning in a specialised area of study.

The Medical Imaging Science degree shares a partly common inter-professional first year with students in the Faculty of Health Science. This gives you a general foundation in the health care environment, along with foundation studies in medical imaging. From second year, several interconnecting strands of study then build on this foundation knowledge: •Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology: Students study human biology, followed by planar and cross-sectional anatomy and pathology. This allows you to assess the structures seen in various medical images, and leads to recognising alterations from normal appearance. •Medical Physics and Instrumentation: This develops a thorough understanding of the technology associated with medical imaging, from radiation physics to image development, dosimetry and radiobiology. •Medical Imaging Practice: Preparation for the clinical environment and skills in patient management and image acquisition are established. This includes understanding different types of patients, and how to communicate effectively with patients, their accompanying persons and work place colleagues. University-based skill development occurs in the early stages, followed by increasing clinical experience as the course progresses. •Evidence-based Practice and Research: Using the best quality imaging procedures to get the best possible diagnosis from the best possible practice is the key. You will learn how to undertake research, and develop evidence-based practice as a dominant means of decision making. A full-year research project is part of the fourth year of the program. All of these strands are integrated with and support the clinical experience program Prospective students are advised that this program requires the full participation in laboratory practical sessions and the clinical program where manual skills, including the ability to lift, manipulate imaging equipment and position fellow students and patients for imaging examinations, independently, are an essential part of the development of the graduate. In addition, all students must participate fully in laboratory practical sessions including acting as subjects for their peer group and as mock patients for other students.

Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply discipline knowledge to undertake radiographic procedures in a safe and accurate environment; develop clinical practices using evidence practice research

2. think critically and reflectively about radiographic factors including clinical information, patient condition and exposure quality to ensure a diagnostic outcome

3. apply an enquiring approach to the management of patients and the assessment of imaging requirements and outcomes

4. communicate effectively and appropriately with different work groups and patient groups, taking into account age, health condition and cultural background when communicating with patients

5. using modality knowledge and available patient information assess what imaging is required to appropriately answer the clinical question; recognising the advantages and limitations of available equipment/systems provide a safe and accurate radiographic examination

6. assess and critically evaluate information independently using technological facilities to remain informed about current imaging theories/issues; use this information appropriately in professional settings including written and oral presentations;

7. demonstrate cognisance of current international standards within the profession and apply these in practice

8. manage patients in a manner that respects them as individuals, is culturally sensitive and ethically appropriate

9. work effectively, ethically and cognisant of medico-legal boundaries within the imaging team; take responsibility for own actions, and is able to mentor colleagues.

Duration and Availability

Four years full-time only.

Location and delivery Mode

Year	Location	Period	All*	Internal	Partially Online Internal^	External	Fully Online#
2014	Bentley Campus	Semester 1		Y
2014	Bentley Campus	Semester 2		Y

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.

Course Structure				Hrs/Wk	Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
309778	v.1		Medical Physics 161	4.0	25.0
313391	v.3		Human Structure and Function 100	4.0	25.0
313394	v.3		Foundations for Professional Health Practice 100	4.0	25.0
311116	v.1		Introduction to Medical Imaging Science 101	5.0	25.0
					100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
311118	v.1		Medical Imaging Practice 112	6.0	25.0
314510	v.1		Health and Health Behaviour 130	3.0	12.5
314512	v.1		Evidence Informed Health Practice 130	2.0	25.0
312649	v.4		Indigenous Cultures and Health 130	2.0	12.5
313401	v.3		Functional Anatomy 100	4.0	25.0
					100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
309794	v.2		Medical Imaging Practice 233	3.0	25.0
309786	v.2		Medical Imaging Sectional Anatomy 203	3.0	25.0
309787	v.2		Clinical Medical Imaging Practice 213	5.0	25.0
311123	v.2		Medical Imaging Instrumentation 223	6.0	25.0
					100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
309795	v.3		Medical Imaging Practice 244	3.0	25.0
309788	v.2		Clinical Medical Imaging Practice 224	16.0	25.0
310282	v.3		Medical Imaging Instrumentation 234	6.0	25.0
311215	v.4		Medical Imaging Pathology 214	5.0	25.0
					100.0
Year 3 Semester 1
311126	v.2		Comparative Medical Imaging Science 305	4.0	25.0
311127	v.3		Professional Medical Radiation Practice 305	2.0	25.0
309789	v.2		Clinical Medical Imaging Practice 335	21.0	25.0
312178	v.1		Medical Imaging Interpretation 305	3.0	25.0
					100.0
Year 3 Semester 2
309790	v.2		Clinical Medical Imaging Practice 346	3.0	25.0
311128	v.2		Medical Imaging Practice 356	3.0	25.0
311699	v.1		Science Research Methodologies 451	4.0	25.0
312173	v.1		Imaging Informatics 306	4.0	25.0
					100.0
Year 4 Semester 1
312186	v.1		Medical Imaging Research Project 497	3.0	37.5
309796	v.3		Medical Imaging Specialisation 417	3.0	25.0
311338	v.1		Clinical Medical Imaging Practice 457	40.0	37.5
					100.0
Year 4 Semester 2
309799	v.2		Medical Imaging Specialisation 428	3.0	25.0
311340	v.1		Clinical Medical Imaging Practice 468	40.0	37.5
311341	v.1		Medical Imaging Research Project 498	3.0	37.5
					100.0

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Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Science and Engineering on telephone (08) 9266 4600, email ssse@curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://scieng.curtin.edu.au

Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.

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