Medical Imaging (M.Sc. / P.Grad.Dip.)

Overview

Introduction to Medical Imaging (M.Sc./P.Grad.Dip.)

The M.Sc. in Medical Imaging is offered by the Department of Clinical Medicine and is designed for qualified radiographers. Students on the M.Sc. pursue a particular strand – Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine or Radiation Safety and Interventional Radiography. In addition, a number of core common modules will be taken.

The M.Sc. in Medical Imaging is delivered over 12 continuous months, with lectures every Friday. Students are also required to spend a minimum of 15 hours per week undertaking a clinical placement in a Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine or Radiography Department, for the duration of the course. This placement is a central part of the course and all applicants must have access to a placement. The taught component of the course runs from late September to May. At this stage, students who have successfully completed the taught component may opt to exit the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Imaging. From May to August, students eligible to proceed to M.Sc. level will undertake an independent research project presented in the form of a dissertation. Successful completion of the research component of the programme leads to the award of M.Sc. in Medical Imaging.

Course Aims

The main aim of the course is to train and qualify Radiographers in the practice of either Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Safety and Interventional Radiography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging or Computed Tomography. The practical clinical experience required in each strand of the M.Sc. will be gained in the student’s own department. The Nuclear Medicine strand is designed to give a solid academic base in the understanding of the safe use and management of isotopes, and a high level of practical experience in Nuclear Medicine imaging techniques. The Radiation Safety and Interventional Radiography strand aims to provide a solid academic background in the legislative framework governing radiation protection and a high level of practical experience in clinical Interventional Radiography. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging strand is designed to give a solid academic basis in the understanding of MR imaging, and a high level of practical experience in MRI techniques and in the safe use of MR imaging and associated equipment. The Computed Tomography strand is designed to give a solid academic basis in the understanding of Computed Tomography, and a high level of practical experience in Computed Tomography techniques and in the safe use of Computed Tomography imaging and associated equipment. The research methods and dissertation element of the course is designed to develop the student’s research skills.

Course Structure

In 2022-23, applications will be accepted for the following strands of the MSc in Medical Imaging:
•    Nuclear Medicine
•    Computed Tomography
 
Intake dates for other strands:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging: next intake September 2023 (runs every 2nd year)
Radiation Safety and Interventional Radiography: next intake to be confirmed

The M.Sc. in Medical Imaging will incorporate both taught and practical components, with the taught component forming a substantial part. It is a course requirement that the student must spend a minimum of 15 hours per week on clinical placement in either a Nuclear Medicine Department, an Interventional Radiology Department, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Department or a Computed Tomography Department, as appropriate for the strand on which the student has enrolled.

The M.Sc. course consists of taught modules (60 ECTS) and a research project culminating in a written thesis of 20,000 words (30 ECTS).

The list of common core taught modules currently available to students on the Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Safety and Interventional Radiography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography strands are:

Medico-Legal Aspects and Ethics, Risk Management and Clinical Audit (10 ECTS)
Clinical Practice (10 ECTS)

Mandatory additional modules in the Nuclear Medicine strand are:

Physics and Instrumentation, and Computer Technology, Radiation Protection and Quality Control (15 ECTS)
Clinical Applications of Nuclear Medicine and Hybrid Imaging (15 ECTS)
Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology applied to Nuclear Medicine (5 ECTS)
Radiopharmacy (5 ECTS)

Mandatory additional modules in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging strand are:

Physics, Instrumentation and Computer Technology of MRI (10 ECTS)
MR Imaging Techniques and Protocols, Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology I (10 ECTS)
MR Imaging Techniques and Protocols, Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology II (15 ECTS)
Safety and QA in MR (5 ECTS)

Mandatory additional modules in the Radiation Safety and Interventional Radiography strand are:

Practical Aspects of Radiation Protection and Radiation Protection Legislation (10 ECTS)
Physics, Instrumentation and Computer Technology (10 ECTS)
Quality Management and Quality Control (5 ECTS)
Interventional Imaging Techniques and Protocols, Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology (15 ECTS)

Mandatory additional modules in the Computed Tomography strand are:

Physics, Instrumentation and Computer Technology of CT (10 ECTS)
CT Imaging Techniques and Protocols, Anatomy and Pathology I (10 ECTS)
CT Imaging Techniques and Protocols, Anatomy and Pathology II (15 ECTS)
Radiation Protection and QA in CT (5 ECTS)

All students proceeding to the dissertation component will also take the following module:

Research Methods and Dissertation (30 ECTS)

Career Opportunities  

This course allows qualified radiographers to gain a comprehensive knowledge in Medical Imaging and advance graduates' career prospects both in terms of promotion eligibility and post-graduate training.

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