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Master of Nuclear Medicine

The information on this page applies to future students. Current students should refer to their faculty handbooks for course information.

The Master of Nuclear Medicine prepares graduates who hold an undergraduate degree for professional practice as a nuclear medicine technologist. Nuclear medicine technologists have responsibility for critically analysing images and data to determine whether they are of a high diagnostic standard; for performing quality control procedures in all aspects of their work and for ensuring that they provide a high level of patient care. As this course leads to eligibility to practice, you will be assisted in achieving prescribed professional competencies through practical and theoretical skill acquisition and by undertaking clinical fieldwork placements.

You will undertake clinical placements in centres which are part of both the public and private sectors and will have the opportunity to develop an understanding of the career path you have chosen and its place in the modern medical environment. The pace of work in the MNM is reflective of postgraduate expectations, as is the level and complexity of the issues dealt with in the degree, including research project design.

Units of study

Units of Study overview

Full units of study list

Further course information

Study plan

You will follow a prescribed course of study with a total 96 credit points (cp) incorporating fifteen core units (90cp) and one elective units (6cp).

Progression rules

The Master of Nuclear Medicine requires the completion of 96 credit points (cp) of units of study comprising 90cp of core units; and 6cp of elective units, chosen either from the list of elective units in the Table as shown in the Faculty handbook.

Capstone experience

A number of clinical and professional fieldwork opportunities are scheduled as part of the course. Fieldwork provides hands on experience with real clients in a supervised environment allowing students to combine academic study with the practical abilities required of the Nuclear Medicine profession.

As part of this course eligible students also have the opportunity to take part in the ‘FHS Abroad' program which involves academic study and a 4-6 week placement with non-government organisations and other development agencies in one of a small number of countries in South and South East Asia. This experience (valued at 6 credit points) enables students to gain a real understanding of global health and make a lasting difference to communities worldwide.

Course outcomes and further study

Graduate opportunities

Graduates of the Master of Nuclear Medicine work in a field of medicine that uses radio-nuclides in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Responsibilities include the preparation and administration of radiopharmaceuticals to patients and the acquisition and computer analysis of diagnostic functional images using sophisticated instrumentation. Therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals are prepared for administration and are used in the treatment of specific diseases. New developments in both instrumentation, such as positron emission tomography (PET), and radiopharmaceuticals produced from a cyclotron make this a rapidly evolving and exciting technology. Demand is high for nuclear medicine scientists in Australia and overseas. Work is available in private imaging practices and public and private hospitals throughout Australia. You may have the opportunity to do your professional development year in the United Kingdom or New Zealand, and the final qualification will allow you to work overseas like many of our graduates.
A testimonial from one of our graduates
Jessica Redding
Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Professional Development Year)
Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
" I had always been interested in medical imaging and found the clinical placements in this course great because they have the potential to lead to a Professional Development Year position upon completion of the course. After completing my degree I was fortunate to get the opportunity to live and work abroad. I am currently completing my professional development year as a nuclear medicine technologist at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, in London, UK.

Course accreditation

Graduates are eligible for provisional accreditation with the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine. To practice in Australia, all graduates must complete a twelve-month internship (‘National Professional Development Program’) in an approved hospital or practice before full accreditation is granted.

Further study

Eligible graduates may consider an additional three years of study with us as a research candidate for the higher research degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) http://sydney.edu.au/health_sciences/research_innovation/index.shtml. The PhD is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake in-depth study in a specialised area under the supervision of an academic staff member with expertise in your field of research.

The award of the degree in the health sciences will enhance your profile as a genuine researcher and expert in your chosen field, afford opportunities as a published researcher, and may lead to an academic appointment, or to a research appointment with a government or industrial research and development organisation.

How to apply

Domestic students

How to apply

Applications for the Sydney Master of Nuclear Medicine are made though the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) - www.uac.edu.au. On-time applications for the March Semester close on the last working day of October. This course is not offered in the July semester intake.

Admission requirements

A successful applicant for admission to the Master of Nuclear Medicine requires;

* A PhD, master's or bachelor's degree from an Australian
institution or equivalent.
* A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.5 or greater (approximately
equivalent to a credit average or better) assessed on the
highest ranked tertiary qualification presented.

International students

How to apply

Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University's International Office, (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent), or (iii) through the Universities Admissions Centre, for students applying on the basis of a current Australian Year 12 secondary school examination, or studying either an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.

Admission requirements

A successful applicant for admission to the Master of Nuclear Medicine requires;

* A PhD, master's or bachelor's degree from an Australian
institution or equivalent.
* A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.5 or greater (approximately
equivalent to a credit average or better) assessed on the
highest ranked tertiary qualification presented.

Fee disclaimer

Domestic students

*(1)Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount

This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2011 your student contribution may differ.

Annual review

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution please refer to the University's Future Student's online webpages at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/domestic_undergraduate/costs/calculating_costs.shtml

*(2)Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee

This 2012 tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student represents the fee that is payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFSTL your fee will differ.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information in this prospectus, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Faculty Handbook and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents

International students

International tuition fees for postgraduate students

This 2012 tuition fee for international postgraduate students represents the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFSTL your fee will differ.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_postgraduate_coursework or http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_postgraduate_research

In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.