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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

310692 v.2 Master of Medical Sonography

MMedSono(Curtin).

This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas



Course Overview

Master degrees (coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.


The modality of medical ultrasound within the field of medical imaging has seen rapid development over the past decade. Applications of ultrasound include obstetrics, musculoskeletal, vascular, abdominal and small part imaging. Medical ultrasound examinations are becoming a more requested medical test and sonographers, who perform these examinations, are in high demand. Sonographers produce ultrasound images and provide an informed opinion on each examination.


Professsional Recognition

The Master of Medical Sonography course is fully accredited by the Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR)


Career Opportunities

A sonographer conducts dynamic diagnostic examinations with the use of high definition ultrasound imaging equipment covering a wide range of clinical areas. These include obstetrics and gynaecology, abdominal, vascular, musculo-skeletal, paediatrics, breast, and the superficial glands.


Additional Course Expenses

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



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. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a bachelor degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma.


Entry to the Master program requires a recognised bachelor degree in medical imaging science or a related area. Those applicants without a medical imaging science background will need to demonstrate evidence of tertiary level human biology and psychology as well as provide referees for patient based clinical experience. A supplementary application form is also required.


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.


Student has completed: Diploma of Medical Ultrasonography Part 1 from the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine - CRL granted 310700 Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation 511 (25 credits) and 310701 Sectional Anatomy, Embryology and Pathophysiology 511 (25 credits). Student has completed: Diploma of Medical Ultrasonography Part 2 from the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine and are registered as an Accredited Medical Sonographer through the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry. - CRL granted 310700 Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation 511 (25 credits) and 310701 Sectional Anatomy, Embryology and Pathophysiology 511 (25 credits) and up to an additional three units at departments discretion (75 credits). Student has completed Graduate Diploma in Medical Sonography (ASAR Accredited) - CRL granted 200 credits.


Intermediate Awards

A student who has successfully completed the requirements of an approved intermediate award may apply for graduation in that award subject to approval of Head of School/Department. Fees apply. Intermediate awards approved for this course:


Graduate Diploma in Medical Sonography. Graduate Certificate in Ultrasound.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

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


The course will be offered on an external basis with entry into the course in either semester one or semester two. A limited selection of units will be offered if students commence in semester two. A requirement of five of the units is that the student be employed and participating in clinical ultrasound examinations at least three days per week.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. demonstrate understanding of various scientific philosophies at a deep level, and articulate how they are executed and tested in the context of medical research

2. use higher order thinking tools in critical, creative and reflective ways to identify and understand a research problem relating to medical sonography

3. use systematic research and evaluation skills to assess scholarly literature and current data relevant to a medical research problem

4. communicate the results of a specific research problem in a scholarly style through written dissertations, oral presentations and professional papers

5. apply and appraise established and emerging technologies within the context of the chosen research area to help determine the results of the research problem

6. cultivate ongoing research and intellectual interests within the field of medical sonography

7. provide evidence of adhering to international standards of practice in a chosen medical research field

8. integrate the principles of human rights and cultural diversity as they relate to medical research

9. work independently and demonstrate ethical and professional leadership within teams when working on a research problem


Duration and Availability

This fee paying course is only offered on a part-time external study basis 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
310701 v.1   Sectional Anatomy, Embryology and Pathophysiology 511 4.0 25.0
310699 v.1   Clinical Sonography 512 4.0 25.0
  50.0
Year 1 Semester 2
310694 v.1   Sonography of the Abdomen and Reproductive System 512 4.0 25.0
310700 v.1   Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation 511 4.0 25.0
  50.0
Year 2 Semester 1
310698 v.1   Obstetric Sonography 521 4.0 25.0
310697 v.1   Musculoskeletal Sonography and Advancements in Ultrasound 522 4.0 25.0
  50.0
Year 2 Semester 2
310695 v.1   Superficial Parts and Paediatric Sonography 521 4.0 25.0
310696 v.1   Advanced Doppler and Vascular Sonography 522 4.0 25.0
  50.0
Year 3 Semester 1
13152 v.3   Health Research Methods 681 4.0 25.0
310688 v.1   Medical Imaging Science Project Proposal 600 6.0 25.0
  50.0
Year 3 Semester 2
310689 v.1   Medical Imaging Science Project / Practicum 650 11.0 50.0
  50.0



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.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.