Program Overview

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Overview

Medical radiation science enables health professionals to diagnose, treat and monitor medical conditions or provide cancer therapy. Due to rapid technological advances, medical imaging and radiation therapy sectors are continuing to expand.

This course comprises foundation studies required for medical radiation science practice. Subjects include medical physics, anatomy, physiology and evidence-based practice; plus science and health sciences subjects that provide a grounding in the healthcare environment.

In your first year, you’ll study interprofessional course units with students from other health science and science disciplines. As your studies progress, you’ll major in Medical Imaging or Radiation Therapy.

You’ll also develop the ethical, medico-legal, cultural awareness and communication skills needed for the responsible care of patients.

During your course, you’ll undertake 45 weeks of clinical experience in hospitals, private practices and rural and regional health sites.

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the inherent requirements before applying.

Majors

You can choose to major in Medical Imaging or Radiation Therapy when you apply for this course.

Medical Imaging

Medical imaging professionals work with sophisticated diagnostic imaging modalities – including digital radiography, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, mammography and angiography equipment.

They produce images that are used to confirm or exclude a medical diagnosis, advise on a treatment or illness, monitor patient progress or provide medical screening.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapists have an integral role in the treatment, care and management of patients undergoing radiation therapy treatment, primarily in treating cancer types.

They use a range of complex technologies and equipment to design, develop and deliver radiation therapy treatment.

What jobs can the Medical Radiation Science course lead to?

Careers

• Medical imaging professional
• Radiation therapist

Industries

• Clinical research
• Health and safety
• Private medical practice
• Hospitals
• Technology supply
• Support services
• Tertiary education

What you'll learn

• Apply discipline knowledge to undertake medical radiation science procedures in a safe and effective manner; develop clinical practices using evidence-based research
• Think critically and reflectively about factors for safe and effective patient outcome delivery including clinical information, physical parameters, and patient, equipment and environmental conditions
• Apply an inquiring approach to the management of patients and the assessment of medical radiation science procedural requirements and outcomes through identification, access, evaluation and synthesis of information from credible sources
• Communicate effectively and appropriately with different workplace, healthcare and patient groups, taking into account age, health condition and socio-cultural background
• Use equipment/instrumentation knowledge and available clinical information to assess the medical radiation procedure required to appropriately address the clinical challenge/question, recognising the advantages and limitations of available equipment/instrumentation to provide a safe and effective patient outcome
• Assess and critically evaluate information independently to remain informed and advance practice
• Demonstrate cognisance of current international standards and practices within the profession and apply these clinically
• Manage patient care in a manner that promotes respect for individuals, is socio-culturally sensitive and ethically appropriate
• Work effectively, ethically and cognisant of medico-legal boundaries within the interprofessional healthcare team; take responsibility for own actions

Professional recognition and accreditation

This course is accredited by the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia.

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

ATAR pathway

• Minimum ATAR 90
• Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)
  • Physics ATAR and Mathematics Applications ATAR or Mathematics: Methods or Specialist ATAR or equivalent.

Alternative pathways

• Indigenous applicant
  • If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.
• STAT entry
  • Not accepted.

English requirements

• IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)
  • Writing: 7
  • Speaking: 7
  • Reading: 7
  • Listening: 7
  • Overall band score: 7

Fees and scholarships

Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees

• $9,300* (Commonwealth supported)

Location

• Curtin Perth

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice.

• Curtin Perth

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

Applications to the Bachelor of Science (Medical Radiation Science) outside of the standard intake, Semester 1, are available to students who have completed units in the preceding semester(s). These non-standard intakes allow students to enter the course after the first semester of the degree.

Course switching may be available for Semester 2 entry to applicants who meet all requirements and who have completed or are currently enrolled in MIRA1002 Introduction to Medical Radiation Science and achieved a minimum overall mark of 75%.