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

Introduction

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.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

Physics 3A/3B and Mathematics 3C/3D or Mathematics: Specialist 3C/3D

Specific Requirements

STAT is not accepted for entry to this course. Applicants for this course should refer to the Clinical Health Sciences section (see page 36). 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 (see page 5) 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.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability

Four years full-time only.

Course Organisation

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.

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, readers and other essential study materials.

Further Information

For more information contact the Career Consultant, in the Faculty of Science and Engineering on (08) 9266 4816, email careers@vesta.curtin.edu.au or visit our website www.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.

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.