Advanced Radiotherapy Practice (M.Sc. / P.Grad.Dip.)
- Duration: 2 years part-time
- Admission Requirements: See bottom of this page
- Closing Date: 31st July 2013
- Course Director(s): Michelle Leech
- Course Coordinator(s): Laura Mullaney
- Course Email(s): laura.mullaney@tcd.ie
- Course Tel(s): 353 1 896 3254
Apply
To apply, click on the relevant Apply Link below- Advanced Radiotherapy Practice (M.Sc. / P.Grad.Dip.), 2 Year(s) Part Time
- Advanced Radiotherapy Practice (Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning) (M.Sc. / P.Grad.Dip.), 2 Year(s) Part Time
Course Details
Strand 1: Advanced Radiotherapy
This course aims to develop students' knowledge and skills in the advanced radiotherapy management of cancer patients and to enable students to critically evaluate and participate in research in this area.
The course will provide knowledge of advanced clinical practice for radiation therapists, develop the role of the radiation therapist and provide skills required to further research into cancer management in the radiotherapy department.
On completion of this strand, students will be able to demonstrate:
- The ability to use evidence-based medicine to underpin their radiation therapy practice
- An understanding of the manifestation of treatment-related side effects and their management.
- Proficiency in undertaking research in the field of radiation therapy.
- An understanding of management processes and their application in oncology.
- An awareness of the psychological issues associated with cancer care
- Familiarity with radiological anatomy and the acquisition of optimal imaging for radiotherapy.
Year 1 consists of six taught modules (60 ECTS).
Students who progress to Year 2 will undertake a research dissertation (30 ECTS). The dissertation will be submitted by the end of September of the second year. Students who pass the taught component and have completed 60 ECTS may exit with a postgraduate diploma if they do not wish to proceed to the dissertation in Year 2.
This course builds on the basic knowledge gained in undergraduate study and clinical practice. Suitable candidates for the course will be radiation therapists with a relevant honours undergraduate degree, minimum grade II.1, or equivalent. Prospective candidates will be interviewed.
Strand 2: Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning
This course develops students' skills in the area of radiotherapy treatment planning. All components of treatment planning are taught from 3D Conformal Radiotherapy to IMRT treatment planning and treatment planning for specialist techniques such as stereotactic radiotherapy and brachytherapy.
On completion of this strand, students will be able to:
- Prepare 3D and IMRT treatment plans
- Analyse and discuss treatment plans for specialist techniques
- Undertaking research in the field of radiation therapy treatment planning
- Identify radiological anatomy and discuss optimal imaging for radiotherapy, from diagnosis to on-treatment verification.
- Understand the principles of contouring and become proficient in contouring for prostate radiotherapy.
Year 1 consists of six taught modules (60 ECTS).
Students who progress to Year 2 will undertake a research dissertation (30 ECTS). The dissertation will be submitted by the end of September of the second year. Students who pass the taught component and have completed 60 ECTS may exit with a postgraduate diploma if they do not wish to proceed to the dissertation in Year 2.
This course builds on the basic knowledge gained in undergraduate study and clinical practice, although prior knowledge of treatment planning at undergraduate level is not assumed. Suitable candidates for the course will be radiation therapists with a relevant honours undergraduate degree, minimum grade II.1, or equivalent. Prospective candidates will be interviewed.
Admission Requirements
Applications will be accepted from those who:
- Hold a primary degree in Radiation Therapy or Medical Physics
- Hold an equivalent qualification
- Have confirmed access to a treatment planning department (Treatment Planning strand only).
Candidates cannot be accepted onto the programme unless they have access organised at the time of application. Otherwise satisfy the course admission committee that they have the ability to complete and benefit from the course.