University of Sydney Handbooks - 2014 Archive

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Master of Health Science (Medical Radiation Sciences) – MAHSCMRS2000

View semester session codes here.

Graduate Certificate of Health Science (Medical Radiation Sciences)

Course GCHSCMRS2000: Credit points for award: 24
Off-campus: part-time, 2 semesters

Year 1

Semester 1
Two electives [12] (see elective list below)
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 2
Two electives [12] (see elective list below)
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS

Graduate Diploma of Health Science (Medical Radiation Sciences)

Course GEHSCMRS2000: Credit points for award: 36
Off-campus: part-time, 3 semesters

Year 1

Semester 1
Two electives [12] (see elective list below)
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 2
Two electives [12] (see elective list below)
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS

Year 2

Semester 1
Two electives [12] (see elective list below)
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS

Master of Health Science (Medical Radiation Sciences)

Course MAHSCMRS2000: Credit points for awards: 48
Off-campus: part-time, 4 semesters

Year 1

Semester 1
Two electives [12] (see elective list below)
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 2
Two electives [12] (see elective list below)
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS

Year 2

Semester 1
Two electives [12] (see elective list below)
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 2
MRTY5024 Current Issues in Medical Radiations

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Peter Kench Session: Semester 2 Classes: Distance education, independent study, group discussions Assessment: 2000wd essay (50%), 2000wd essay (50%) Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
This unit of study is designed to facilitate learning through discussion of current issues of interest to practitioners working in the field of medical radiations. Journal articles which reflect topical debates will be studied. Students will be encouraged to discuss relevant articles both from their own area of practice and from other modalities within the field of medical radiations.
Textbooks
Essential reading supplied
Elective [6] (see elective list below)
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS

Medical Radiation Sciences Electives

Availability of electives may vary from year to year.
Semester 1
BACH5085 Clinical Teaching and Supervision

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Session 1g Classes: Online learning mode Assessment: Assignment (100%) Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Department permission required for enrolmentin the following sessions:Session 1g
This unit of study is concerned with exploring current theory and best practice in teaching and supervision in clinical settings. Participants will be expected to develop a critical and research-informed understanding of the clinical setting as a highly complex and specialised context for student learning, and to investigate and argue for the application of teaching/learning strategies to a learning problem in their own clinical education contexts.
MRTY5039 CT Applications

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr Terry Jones Session: Semester 1 Classes: Distance education Assessment: 750wd essay (30%), 3000wd essay (70%) Practical field work: Access to CT scanner is expected Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
This unit covers the application of CT in the clinical environment, in order for students to develop and extend the theoretical skills acquired in MRTY5040 CT Practice I and MRTY5041 CT Practice II. The main learning activity in this unit of study is a small directed research project. It is preferable that students have completed CT Practice I & II prior to undertaking CT Applications as it is designed for advanced users.
Textbooks
Reference lists provided throughout course material. Some journal articles included
MRTY5040 CT Practice I

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr Terry Jones Session: Semester 1 Classes: Distance education Assessment: 2000wd essay (50%), 2000wd essay (50%) Practical field work: Access to a CT scanner is expected Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
CT Practice I includes both helical (Single and Multi-slice) and conventional computed tomography. The unit of study looks briefly at the historical development and physics of CT. The variables controlled by the radiographer are discussed with particular emphasis on the effect these parameters have on the resultant scan. A thorough understanding of these effects is essential if the radiographer is to obtain optimal images when scanning. Recording of the images obtained is discussed, with the rationale for the settings used and the reconstructions routinely performed. These basic concepts lead to the development of possible protocols for the CT scans most commonly ordered. Areas covered will include brain, thorax and abdomen. The unit will look critically at the choice of parameters for these protocols and situations when the parameters may need to be varied in order to obtain optimal images. Protocols will include patient booking, preparation, contrast media, scan plans, exposure factors, image reconstruction and recording, and patient care. CT Practice I is offered in distance education mode with internet support.The student is expected to have access to a CT scanner, although not necessarily at their place of work.
Textbooks
Reference lists provided throughout course material. Some journal articles included
MRTY5042 Digital Communications in Med Radiations

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Assoc Prof Roger Fulton Session: Semester 1 Classes: Distance education Assessment: discussion (10%), 1500wd essay (30%), 3000wd essay (60%) Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
This unit of study provides students with an understanding of digital image fundamentals, such as image acquisition, storage and transmission and implications on image quality and dose. Image management and the communication systems needed to facilitate patient care procedures will be examined, including PACS, DICOM, RIS, tele-radiology and record and verify systems. This unit also provides the student with the opportunity to examine computer based methods to efficiently utilise staff time and resources within a Medical Radiation Sciences department.
Textbooks
Reference lists provided throughout course material. Some journal articles are included
MRTY5043 Directed Studies A

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Peter Kench Session: Semester 1 Classes: Distance education Assessment: Negotiated assessment (100%) Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
The unit allows the student, in collaboration with the University supervisor and the student`s employer, to tailor the content and mode of presentation to suit the needs of the student and the workplace. For example, new technology or procedures may be introduced into the workplace, necessitating changes in the knowledge, skills and attributes of the student. The student must initially present a proposal to the PG coursework coordinator. Upon preliminary approval, a supervisor will be appointed and a firm contract will be negotiated and agreed upon by all parties prior to semester commencing to achieve the desired educational outcomes. The unit of study may comprise, for instance, a literature review covering the development and applications of a new technology, it may comprise a personal reading and study program, it may involve specific workplace experience and analysis or it may comprise a combination of these elements. It may not be possible for all students to enrol in this subject, as it depends strongly upon the provision of suitable resources and experiences in the workplace, plus cooperation and commitment from the student`s employer. Students wishing to study MRTY5044 Directed Studies B must first complete Directed Studies A.
Textbooks
Some journal articles are included
MRTY5051 MR Theory

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Roger Bourne Session: Semester 1 Classes: Distance education Assessment: Assignment based on assessment of an exemplar according to the UoS marking criteria (10%), Assignment based on practical exercise via online access to an MR system (45%), Assignment based on textbook and online resources (45%). Practical field work: One of the two main assignments is based on practical exercises via online access to an Earth`s field MR imaging system (Internet access required) Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
This unit addresses the principles of magnetic resonance imaging. The areas addressed will be the principles of NMR, image contrast, factors affecting image formation, plus pulse sequences used from Spin Echo through to current fast imaging and Echo Planar techniques. The applications of MRI in medical imaging will be addressed with the effects of signal-to-noise ratio, fat saturation, artefacts and flow effects being discussed. The biological effects and aspects of patient safety will be included in this subject. The delivery will be in distance education mode and will utilise a range of media, including printed material.
Textbooks
McRobbie, Moore & Graves, MRI from Picture to Proton, United Kingdon: Cambridge University Press (2006). Online content "Introductory NMR and MRI" available from http://www.youtube.com/user/magritek.
MRTY5052 MR Applications 1

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr John Robinson Session: Semester 1 Classes: Distance education Assessment: 2500wd essay (50%) and 2500wd essay (50%) Practical field work: Access to an MRI is expected Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
This unit will study the applications and protocols of MR imaging in the central nervous system. The assessment in this unit will be by submission of clinical assignments, so students will need access of one or two days per week to a MRI unit.
Textbooks
Printed notes of MR imaging of the CNS with current journal articles is supplied for this unit of study.
MRTY5058 Quality Management in Medical Radiations

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Assoc Prof Roger Fulton Session: Semester 1 Classes: Distance education Assessment: 2x 2500wd essay (2x50%) Practical field work: Access to a medical radiation department is expected Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
Quality management has become an important part of the operation of the medical radiations department. A well-developed quality assurance program can provide confidence that the intended quality is being achieved and maintained. This unit of study presents the theory of quality management and relates it to the day-to-day operations of the medical radiations department. Examples will be presented from the fields of radiography, nuclear medicine and radiation therapy, and students will have the opportunity to design or critique their own quality management system. The unit will be presented in distance learning mode.
Textbooks
Essential reading is supplied
MRTY5090 Advanced Multiplanar Anatomy A

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Warren Reed Session: Semester 1 Classes: Distance education Assessment: 2000wd essay (60%) and 1500wd essay (40%) Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
Detailed anatomy of the musculoskeletal system and vascular systems of the thorax is presented in this unit. The advantage of specific planes with respect to the demonstration of specific pathologies will be discussed. While this unit is targeted at professionals working with CT and/or MRI, it could also be directly relevant to professionals working with SPECT and those using CT and MR images in radiation therapy planning. A basic knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy is assumed. The unit will be presented in distance education format with no requirement for attendance on-campus.
Textbooks
Readings are provided
MRTY5098 Radiographic Image Interpretation A

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr Stephen Littlefair Session: Semester 1 Classes: Distance education Assessment: Continuous assessment (100%), no exam Practical field work: Image interpretation (online) Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
This unit will provide the student with image interpretation skills and knowledge of the radiological and clinical indicators which are utilised to identify pathology of the appendicular skeleton. The unit aims at enabling the practitioner to achieve a level of competency sufficient to participate in a "red dot" system.
Textbooks
Readings are provided
Semester 2
BACH5042 Teaching Clinical Reasoning

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Distance mode: independent and online learning. Assessment: Assignments (100%) Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
This unit of study is concerned with exploring theories, models and research of clinical reasoning and decision-making from the medical, nursing and allied health literature. You will be introduced to a range of strategies to facilitate the development of clinical reasoning, and have the opportunity to explore the research literature relevant to the teaching of clinical reasoning, and to plan the application of strategies to a learning problem your own clinical educational context.
Textbooks
Higgs, J., Jones, M., Loftus, S., & Christensen, N./Clinical Reasoning in the Health Professions./3rd/2008/9780750688857/
MRTY5024 Current Issues in Medical Radiations

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Peter Kench Session: Semester 2 Classes: Distance education, independent study, group discussions Assessment: 2000wd essay (50%), 2000wd essay (50%) Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
This unit of study is designed to facilitate learning through discussion of current issues of interest to practitioners working in the field of medical radiations. Journal articles which reflect topical debates will be studied. Students will be encouraged to discuss relevant articles both from their own area of practice and from other modalities within the field of medical radiations.
Textbooks
Essential reading supplied
MRTY5041 CT Practice II

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr Terry Jones Session: Semester 2 Classes: Distance education Assessment: 2000wd essay (50%), 2000wd essay (50%) Practical field work: Access to a CT scanner is expected Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
CT Practice II includes specialist CT examinations such as dental CT, QCT and 3-D CT applications including angiography. This unit of study does not cover CT anatomy in depth. The basic physics of these CT applications will be covered in this unit. The unit will look critically at the choice of parameters for these examinations and situations when the parameters may need to be varied in order to complete an optimal examination. Protocols for these examinations will include patient booking, preparation, contrast media, scan plans, exposure factors, image reconstruction and recording, and patient care. CT Practice II is offered in distance education mode. Content for this unit of study will be provided by professionals currently involved in specialist CT areas. Access to a CT scanner performing at least one of the specialist functions is advisable.
Textbooks
Resource list provided in course material. Basic journal articles supplied
MRTY5044 Directed Studies B

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Warren Reed Session: Semester 2 Classes: Distance education Prerequisites: MRTY5043 Assessment: Negotiated assessment (100%) Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
The unit allows the student, in collaboration with the University supervisor and the student`s employer, to tailor the content and mode of presentation to suit the needs of the student and the workplace. For example, new technology or procedures may be introduced into the workplace, necessitating changes in the knowledge, skills and attributes of the student. The student must initially present a proposal to the PG coursework coordinator. Upon preliminary approval, a supervisor will be appointed and a firm contract will be negotiated and agreed upon by all parties before semester commencing to achieve the desired educational outcomes. The unit of study may comprise, for instance, a literature review covering the development and applications of a new technology, it may comprise a personal reading and study program, it may involve specific workplace experience and analysis or it may comprise a combination of these elements. It may not be possible for all students to enrol in this subject, as it depends strongly upon the provision of suitable resources and experiences in the workplace, plus cooperation and commitment from the student`s employer.
MRTY5053 MR Applications 2

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr John Robinson Session: Semester 2 Classes: Distance education Assessment: 2x 3500wd essay (2x50%) Practical field work: Access to MRI is expected Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
This unit will study the applications and protocols of MR imaging of the musculoskeletal system focusing on the knee, hip, wrist and shoulder joints. The assessment in this unit will be by submission of clinical assignments, so students will need access of one or two days per week to a MRI unit.
Textbooks
Printed notes of MR imaging of the MSK with current journal articles relating to MR imaging of the shoulder, hip, knee, elbow and wrist joints are supplied for this unit of study.
MRTY5056 Patient/Practitioner Communication

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr John Atyeo Session: Semester 2 Classes: Distance education, on line independent activities, independent research activities Assessment: 2x2500 written assignments (2x50%) Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
This unit extends the patient communication skills of the health science practitioner. It aims to make the practitioner more effective at giving and receiving information when interacting with the patient. The enhancement of listening skills will be encouraged, with an emphasis on patient empowerment, support, advice and counselling. Students will be encouraged to become reflective practitioners in the area of communication, and to become active consumers and evaluators of communication in its broadest context.
Textbooks
No specific text recommended. Primary and secondary library sources to be accessed by student
MRTY5087 Advanced MR Theory

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Roger Bourne Session: Semester 2 Classes: Distance education Prerequisites: MRTY5051 Assessment: 1x2000wd essay (50%) and 2500wd essay (50%) Practical field work: Access to MRI is expected Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
This unit of study is designed to articulate with the unit MRTY5051 MR Theory, and expand the practitioner's understanding of flow phenomena and the techniques of TOF-MRA, PC-MRA and CE-MRA. The applications of all these in medical imaging will be thoroughly explored and would require the practitioner to have access one or two days a week to a magnetic resonance imaging site. The delivery will be in distance education mode and will utilise a range of media, including printed material.
Textbooks
Printed notes of MR imaging with journal articles are supplied for this unit of study.
MRTY5091 Advanced Multiplanar Anatomy B

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr John Robinson Session: Semester 2 Classes: Distance education Assessment: Two major and one minor web based assessments with a range of true/false MCQ multiple answers, fill in missing blank style questions (100%) Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
Detailed anatomy of the brain is presented in this unit. The regions studied are the brain stem, cranial nerves and nuclei, cerebellum, diencephalon, cerebral hemisphere and cortex, basal ganglia, limbic system, ventricular system and the blood supply. The practical component involves interpretation of soft copy MR images. The advantage of specific planes with respect to the demonstration of specific pathologies will be discussed. While this unit is targeted at professionals working with CT and/or MRI, it could also be directly relevant to professionals working with SPECT and those using CT and MR images in radiation therapy planning. A basic knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy is assumed. The delivery will be in distance education mode and will utilise a range of media, including printed material.
Textbooks
Printed material containing anatomy descriptions are supplied in this unit of study
MRTY5099 Radiographic Image Interpretation B

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr Stephen Littlefair Session: Semester 2 Classes: Distance education Assumed knowledge: MRTY5098 Assessment: Continuous assessment (100%), no exam Practical field work: Image Interpretation (online) Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
This unit will provide the student with image interpretation skills and knowledge of the radiological and clinical indicators which are utilised to identify pathology of the axial skeleton and abdomen. The unit aims at enabling the practitioner to achieve a level of competency sufficient to participate in a "red dot" system.
Textbooks
On-line and paper based study notes supplied
MRTY5100 Radiographic Image Interpretation C

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr Stephen Littlefair Session: Semester 2 Classes: Distance education Assumed knowledge: MRTY5098 Assessment: Continuous assessment (100%), no exam Practical field work: Image Interpretation (online) Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
This unit will provide the student with image interpretation skills and knowledge of the radiological and clinical indicators which are utilised to identify the more common pathology of the respiratory system. The unit aims at enabling the practitioner to achieve a level of competency sufficient to participate in a "red dot" system.
Textbooks
On-line and paper based study notes supplied
MRTY5106 Breast Imaging

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Peter Kench Session: Semester 2 Classes: Distance education mode: independent learning package with email support Assessment: discussion forums (15%), case study (30%) and reflective portfolio (55%) Campus: Cumberland Mode of delivery: Distance Education
This unit will provide an integration of mammography theory and practice and includes the context of breast cancer and breast screening; the fundamentals of mammography, both digital and film/screen; radiation physics; positioning techniques and radiographer and client interaction. An overview of emerging technologies in breast cancer detection is also provided.
Textbooks
Essential reading (articles, book extracts) provided in course notes
Notes
See Faculty Electives chapter for the list of Faculty electives.