Master of Medical Radiation Science

course overview

The Master of Medical Radiation Science is offered in four specialist areas: computerised tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, radiographic image interpretation and nuclear medicine.

In addition students may opt to enrol in the generic course rather than one of the specialisations. The generic Master of Medical Radiation Science course is aimed at radiographers, radiotherapists and nuclear medicine scientists.

This postgraduate course is designed for practising medical radiation scientists to advance both their technological expertise and academic understanding of the chosen specialisation, whilst continuing clinical work in these areas. The Australian Radiography and Nuclear Medicine professional bodies recognise the value of postgraduate study as a means of keeping pace with rapidly changing technology in these fields, as well as of enhancing research.

On completion of 64 points of study (including any credit granted), students may elect to exit the course with a Graduate Diploma. This option applies to the generic course and to all specialisations except Nuclear Medicine. The Postgraduate Diploma does not include research project subjects generally found in the Masters.

The specialisations

Master of Medical Radiation Science (Computerised Tomography)

Recent advances in computerised tomography (CT) have made this well-established imaging modality an even more important tool in patient management. A Master of Medical Radiation Science (CT) degree has been developed for those working in the field of CT. This specialisation covers all aspects of modern CT practice. Students have the opportunity to research some aspect of CT for their final project.

Master of Medical Radiation Science (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

The Master of Medical Radiation Science (MRI) has been developed for those working in magnetic resonance imaging. This specialisation informs students of today's technology and also prepares them for the advances of tomorrow. In the final year, students have a chance to research a topic from MRI.

Master of Medical Radiation Science (Radiographic Image Interpretation)

This specialisation will meet the needs of students working in both Australia and overseas. It si designed to will give students an in-depth appreciation of medical images, in order to enhance their radiographic practice and allow them to make more informed decisions regarding radiography. This specialisation will also better equip students to give informal verbal radiographic opinions to referring clinicians, within the scope of professional codes of conduct. It will prepare the student for a radiographic reporting role if that is appropriate for the country in which they are working. This specialisation may be done entirely by coursework or may include the research project subjects.

Master of Medical Radiation Science (Nuclear Medicine)

The Master of Medical Radiation Science (Nuclear Medicine) specialisation has been developed for those working in the field of Nuclear Medicine. The course covers all aspects of modern nuclear medicine practice including advanced instrumentation, radiopharmacy and procedures and CT for Nuclear Medicine. Elective subjects include areas such as clinical education and management. Students have the opportunity to undertake original research in some aspect of Nuclear Medicine.

Master of Medical Radiation Science - generic course

The generic Master of Medical Radiation Science course provides students with a high degree of flexibility in their choice of subjects. It allows them to pick from a wide variety of suitable medical radiation science and health electives. Students can tailor their course to best suit their individual professional needs and preferences. Further, they have the option of doing the course entirely by coursework or by including the research project subjects if desired.

In addition to being available to Radiographers and Nuclear Medicine Technologists, the generic Master course is also open to Radiotherapists.

Admission requirements

To ensure that academic standards in this program are maintained at a high level, strict prerequisite requirements will be applied to each applicant.

For admission to the generic Master of Medical Radiation Science, and to each of the course specialisations with 16 point entry credit, applicants must have attained or completed the following:

a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (or equivalent), in either Medical Imaging (for entry into all specialisations except Nuclear Medicine),
or

Nuclear Medicine (for entry into the Nuclear Medicine specialisation or generic Master of Medical Radiation Science course),
or

Radiotherapy (for entry into the generic Master of Medical Radiation Science course only) the 12-month structural internship set by the Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR) or the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM) and known as the professional development year (PDY), or equivalent

the Statement of Accreditation (issued by the AIR or the ANZSNM) or equivalent
and

at least two years of full-time equivalent clinical experience in the area of study specialisation, in addition to the PDY. (Note that overseas applicants who may not have formally completed a PDY will need to possess a minimum of three (3) years of relevant full-time equivalent clinical experience).

For admission to the generic Master of Medical Radiation Science and to the Nuclear Medicine specialisation with zero credit, applicants must have attained or completed the following:

Either possession of a Medical Radiation Science Bachelors degree or equivalent in Medical Imaging (for entry into the generic Master of Medical Radiation Science course)
or

Nuclear Medicine (for entry into the Nuclear Medicine specialisation or the generic Master of Medical Radiation Science course)
or

Radiotherapy (for entry into the generic Master of Medical Radiation Science course only), but with less than three (3) years of full-time equivalent clinical experience, or possession of a Medical Radiation Science postgraduate diploma qualification or equivalent in Medical Imaging (for entry into the generic Master of Medical Radiation Science course)
or

Nuclear Medicine (for entry into the Nuclear Medicine specialisation or the generic Master of Medical Radiation Science course), or Radiotherapy (for entry into the generic Master of Medical Radiation Science course only), and with five (5) years or more of full-time equivalent clinical experience.

English Language

Internet Access

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

enrolment pattern and unit details

Read Unit Details

Graduation requirements

To graduate from the Master degree, students must satisfactorily complete 96 points ( the equivalent of 12 subjects) comprising any credit awarded upon admission (in recognition of previous study and experience) and, during enrolment in the course, different combinations of compulsory specialisation subjects, restricted electives and project subjects. The actual subjects required for graduation vary with the specialisation and are listed under course structure.

Sub courses
Master of Medical Radiation Science Unit
English language proficiency
Internet access