Basic HTML Version
Health Sciences
197
Course content
This four-year honours degree gives you a broad academic base
on which to develop the clinical skills of radiation therapy. It
qualifies you to analyse, evaluate and make clinical decisions
and to initiate, participate in and encourage research in cancer
and radiation therapy. There are both theoretical and clinical
components to this degree, the emphasis being more on the
theoretical component in the first two years and more on the
clinical and research component in the last two years. The
contact hours are high in this course and the subjects are taught
through lectures, laboratory-based practical sessions, workshops,
tutorials and clinical placement in the hospital setting.
A significant clinical component is integral to this course.
The clinical sites are the radiation therapy departments attached
to the St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network at St Luke’s,
St. James’ and Beaumont Hospitals in Dublin; Cork University
Hospital; University College Hospital Galway; the Mater Private
Hospital, Dublin; St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, Dublin; the
Galway Clinic; the Limerick Clinic; the Beacon; the Hermitage
Clinic and Whitfield Clinic.
The duration of the clinical placement is 1 month in Junior
Freshman (first) year, 2 months in Senior Freshman (second)
year, 3 months in Junior Sophister (third) year and 5 months
in Senior Sophister (fourth) year. Part of the clinical placement
takes place during the vacation periods and clinical placement
consists of 35 hours per week.
The Freshman years
In the Freshman (first and second) years, the course covers the
basic sciences – physics, chemistry and biology. You will also
study the structure and function of the human body through
anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and genetics, and will be
introduced to modules covering in the following areas: psychology,
pathology, research methodology and statistics, cancer medicine,
radiation physics and professional attitudes and skills.
A clinical component (clinical placement) will introduce you to
radiation therapy and will develop your understanding of the
complexities of the cancer patient pathway.
The Junior Freshman year
In the Junior Freshman (first) year, there are approximately
20-30 hours per week in class.
First year subjects will cover the following areas
n
Biological principles and practices
n
Chemical principles and properties
n
Anatomy 1
n
Physics for radiation therapy 1
n
Principles and practices of cancer care 1
n
Psychology and communication 1
n
Clinical practice (clinical placement) 1
The Senior Freshman year
Second year subjects will cover the following areas
n
Biochemistry
n
Physiology
n
Anatomy 2
n
Physics for radiation therapy 2
n
Principles and practices of cancer care 2
n
Radiographic anatomy
n
Psychology and communication 2
n
Research methodology and statistics
n
Clinical practice (clinical placement) 2
The Sophister years
In the Sophister (third and fourth) years, you will study more
specialist subjects that are specifically related to cancer and
patient care, and complete a research project in this area.
The Junior Sophister year
Third-year subjects will cover the following areas
n
Principles and practices of cancer care 3
n
Physics for radiation therapy 3
n
Radiobiology
n
Radiation therapy treatment planning
n
Treatment localisation and verification
n
Research methodology and statistics
n
Clinical practice (clinical placement) 3
The Senior Sophister year
Fourth year subjects will cover the following areas
n
Principles and practices of cancer care 4
n
Radiation therapy treatment simulation and planning
n
Health care management
n
Research project
n
Clinical practice (clinical placement) 4
Assessment
This course assesses both the theoretical and clinical
subjects by a variety of methods including written end-of-year
examinations, continuous assessment, individual and group
project work, oral examination, practical exams and case
studies. A clinical portfolio and research project are a substantial
component of the assessment processes in your final year.
Career opportunities
There is a worldwide need for radiation therapists. The broad
scientific content of the degree also means that you will be well
qualified to start a career in research and development, medical
technology, or the marketing of products associated with cancer
medicine in particular, and in the health sector generally.
Did you know?
n
Information days
are held throughout the year for
students interested in finding out more about radiation
therapy. For details of the next information day, please
contact Daléne Dougall on: + 353 1 896 3234
Further information
Tel: + 353 1 896 3248 / 3234
E-mail
