Course Description
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.