Undergraduate Courses
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Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics Advanced (Honours)

The course information on this page is for new students commencing their degree in 2016 only. 

Students should follow the rules and requirements for the year that they commenced their course. The online course information for years prior to 2016 are available from the Archives link in the menu.

Students should also review current subject availabilities via the Subject Descriptions link in the menu.

Testamur Title of Degree:

Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics Advanced (Honours)

Abbreviation:

BMedRadPhysAdv(Hons)

UOW Course Code:

357

CRICOS Code:

085499J

Total Credit Points:

192

Duration:

4 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Home Faculty:

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences

Intake Session(s):

Autumn/Spring

Delivery Mode:

On-campus (Face-to-face)

Delivery Campus / UAC Code:

Wollongong / 757603

Additional Information:

Course Finder

Overview

The Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics Advanced (Honours) degree is designed to produce graduates with the specialist skills necessary to find employment in hospital radiation oncology and nuclear medicine departments, in academic institutions or industry. Graduates understand radiation interactions, dosimetry, detectors and instrument design related to medical physics, health physics, nuclear physics, radiation safety, and accelerator and reactor physics. Computer programming related to cancer treatment planning, particle transport and medical imaging is also taught.

The Honours year is entirely devoted to Medical Physics topics. It has a substantial 24-credit point research component which is carried out in collaboration with community, local, state or federal organisations. This research project is supported by three special subjects which deal with the major activities of a Medical Radiation Physicist: Medical Imaging; Nuclear Medicine; Radiobiology and Radiation Protection.

Professional medical physicists from major hospitals in the State will deliver key lectures and practical work as well as co-supervising thesis work. Students will find that they will move easily into employment and/or postgraduate work in this specialised area.

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics Advanced (Honours) will be able to:

  1. Compare medical radiation related instrumentation and apply techniques associated with diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology.
  2. Analyse theoretical, practical and professional information and communicate knowledge, ideas and procedures to other health care professionals/practitioners, researchers and other key stakeholders.
  3. Employ independent learning strategies to self-evaluate and update professional knowledge of innovations in medical radiation physics
  4. Apply knowledge of the basic structure and function of the human body relevant to clinical diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology.
  5. Appraise radiation and radioactivity, its properties, units of measure, dosimetry measurement concepts and methods.
  6. Compare radiation safety practices and procedures associated with diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology.
  7. Consolidate and synthesise knowledge of the biological effects of radiation and its application for radiation safety and for radiation treatment.
  8. Perform the clinical support procedures required of a medical physicist in a professional and ethical manner.
  9. Integrate knowledge of a variety of fundamental physical laws to analyse behaviour and properties of physical systems.
  10. Exercise critical thinking, initiative and judgment in understanding complex concepts and constructing new understandings in contemporary physics. 

Course Structure

The normal full-time load for a Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics Advanced (Honours) is required to complete 192 credit points. All students must complete the required number of credit points and satisfy all course requirements for a degree before graduation - refer to course structures below.

In their final year, each student must prepare a project or thesis on a research topic under the supervision of an academic staff member. The research project is 24 credit points. Other subjects to compete in year four are listed in the course program.

Students must maintain a Weighted Average Mark of 80 to stay in the course. Students who do not maintain this will be transferred to the Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics.

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Year 1
MEDI111 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology I 6 Autumn
MATH187 Mathematics 1: Algebra and Differential Calculus 6 Autumn
PHYS141 Fundamentals of Physics A 6 Autumn
MEDI112 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology II 6 Spring
MATH188 Mathematics 2: Series and Integral Calculus 6 Spring
PHYS142 Fundamentals of Physics B 6 Spring
Plus TWO electives from the General Schedule (6cp each)
Year 2
MATH201 Multivariate and Vector Calculus 6 Autumn
MATH203 Linear Algebra 6 Autumn
PHYS205 Advanced Modern Physics 6 Autumn
PHYS235 Mechanics & Thermodynamics 6 Autumn
MATH202 Differential Equations 2 6 Spring
PHYS215 Vibrations, Waves & Optics 6 Spring
PHYS225 Electromagnetism and Optoelectronics 6 Spring
PHYS255 Radiation Physics 6 Spring
Year 3
PHYS305 Quantum Mechanics 6 Autumn
PHYS325 Electromagnetism 6 Autumn
PHYS365 Detection of Radiation: Neutrons, Electrons and X Rays 6 Autumn
PHYS366 Physics of Radiotherapy 6 Autumn
PHYS375 Nuclear Physics 6 Spring
PHYS385 Statistical Mechanics 6 Spring
PHYS396 Electronic Materials 6 Spring
Plus ONE elective from the General Schedule (6cp)
Year 4
PHYS451 Nuclear Medicine 8 Spring
PHYS452 Medical Imaging 8 Autumn
PHYS453 Radiobiology and Radiation Protection 8 Spring
PHYS457 Research Project 24 Annual, Spring/Autumn

Honours

The Honours grade will be calculated in accordance with Method 3. For further information refer to the General Course Rules.

Credit Arrangements

Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Professional Recognition/Accreditation

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

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: eis@uow.edu.au
Email: Academic Program Director

Last reviewed: 24 March, 2016