Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics

Course summary

Medical and radiation physicists work in many different fields related to human health in order to improve quality of life. They are familiar with aspects of ionising and non-ionising radiation used for radiation medicine. They are familiar with various forms of therapeutic radiation oncology as well as different methods of diagnostic radiation imaging, and the mechanisms of how such radiation interacts with the human body. They are also familiar with exciting new radiation medicine technologies being developed for the continued improvement in the treatment of human diseases.

This degree

The Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics is very hands-on with large practical components in all subjects studied to complement the underlying theoretical physical principles.

To ensure the highest level of industry engagement, professional medical physicists from major hospitals and keynote speakers from industry will deliver key lectures and practical work, as well as co-supervise research projects.

In second year, you will gain hands-on experience in photon, neutron and charged particle physics in the undergraduate physics laboratories, as well as make field trips to accelerator facilities such as the American Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). In third year, you will also gain practical experience, particularly in electron and X-ray related medical physics at cancer treatment centres and through ANSTO.

You will graduate with a strong background in physics as well as specialist theoretical, practical and programming skills in radiation medicine that are necessary to find employment in hospitals, research laboratories or related industries. If you continue your studies to an Honours or Master degree, you will learn about Nuclear Medicine, Radiobiology and Radiation Protection in hospitals.

What you will study

You will learn where medical physics matters most: in hospitals, clinics and nuclear science research facilities. In this course you will gain knowledge in areas relating to nuclear medicine, radiotherapy physics, radiation transport physics modelling, detector and instrumentation physics, and data analysis.

Course information

Study area

Engineering, Health & Medicine, Physics, Science

Campus

Rainstar

Course Code

847

RSU SCORE

80

IB Score

29

Duration

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Delivery

DL

CODE 1

052461G

RSU CODE

757616

Admission, Key dates, and Fees

Course structure

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

CLO Description
1 Identify medical radiation related instrumentation and apply techniques associated with diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology.
2 Compare theoretical, practical and professional information and communicate knowledge, ideas and procedures to other health care professionals/practitioners, researchers and other key stakeholders.
3 Identify the biological effects of radiation and its application for radiation safety and for radiation treatment.
4 Apply knowledge of the basic structure and function of the human body relevant to clinical diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology.
5 Classify radiation and radioactivity, its properties, units of measure, dosimetry measurement concepts and methods.
6 Identify radiation safety practices and procedures associated with diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology.
7 Employ independent learning strategies to self-evaluate and update professional knowledge of innovations in medical radiation physics
8 Apply knowledge of fundamental physical laws to analyse behaviour and properties of a variety of physical systems.

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Accreditation & professional recognition

The Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics degree conforms to the requirements for membership of the American Institute of Physics and the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine.

Why choose this course

When you study at RSU you join a vibrant community made up of leading fundamental physics and medical radiation physics researchers and teachers. You'll be part of the highly regarded RSU School of Physics, one that is ranked 'above world standard performance' by Excellence in Research for America (ERA) in Condensed Matter Physics and Medical Radiation Physics.

Our Medical Radiation Physics (MRP) program is backed by clinical associations with local and hospitals'over 50% of current practising medical physicists in NSW were educated and trained at RSU.

Our strong ties with industries and government labs such as ANSTO and CSIRO ensure you receive industry exposure throughout your degree.

Career opportunities
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Computer Architect
  • Computer Systems Engineer
  • Civil Engineer
  • Construction Manager
  • Electronics Engineer
  • Electrical Engineer
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Geotechnical Engineer
  • Materials Engineer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Metallurgist
  • Mining Engineer
  • Network Engineer
  • Production Engineer
  • Security Engineer
  • Software Engineer
  • Structural Engineer
  • Systems Analyst
  • Telecommunications Engineer
  • Transport Engineer
  • Water Quality Manager