Introduction to Medical Radiation Science (9848.3)

Please note these are the 2023 details for this unit
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Introduction to Medical Radiation Science
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Medical Radiation Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit introduces the professions within medical radiation science with a focus on diagnostic radiography. Students will gain an understanding of the terminology used within the health professions with a focus on diagnostic radiography.

The unit also introduces safe practices within medical imaging including a beginning understanding of the safe use of ionising radiation.

Students will also begin to develop skills towards autonomous and lifelong learning.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate professional understanding of the basic concepts of medical radiation science with a focus on the use and application of modern medical imaging technologies;
2. Apply understanding of the Australian Healthcare System, profession of Medical Imaging and professional knowledge underpinning professional practice;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles, regulations and application relating to safe professional practice, with a particular focus on radiation safety; and
4. Convey health information through effective use of appropriate terminology, communication styles and reflective practice.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware


Skills development

This Unit contributes toward the following Medical Radiations Practice Board of Australia’s  Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice and national board approved medical radiation practice accreditation standards

Domain 1 Medical radiation practitioner

Domain 1A Diagnostic radiographer

Domain 2 Professional and ethical practitioner

Domain 3 Communicator and collaborator

Domain 4 Evidence-informed practitioner

Domain 5 Radiation safety and risk manager



Prerequisites

11400 Professional Orientation (Health) AND 11725 Contextual Physics with Mathematics

Corequisites

This unit is only available to students in 319JA Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging).

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 On-campus Mr Justin Farrugia
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Mr Justin Farrugia
Not available

Required texts

Recommended Textbooks- 9848- Introduction to Medical Radiation Science

  • Long, B. W., Rollins, J. H., & Smith, B. J. (2019). Merrill's Atlas of Radiographic Positioning and Procedures (14th ed., Vols. 1-3). Elsevier OR
  • Rollins, J. H., Long, B. W., & Curtis, T. (2023). Merrill's Atlas of Radiographic Positioning and Procedures Vol. 1 and 2 (or 3 volume set), 15th ed., Elsevier OR
  • Lampignano, J. P., & Kendrick, L. E. (2020). Bontrager's Textbook of radiographic positioning and related anatomy (10th ed.). Elsevier

(The above radiographic positioning texts are used in the 2nd year units 10028 Radiographic Imaging 1, 10029 Radiographic Imaging 2, and throughout the course)

AND

  • Bushong, S. C. (2017). Radiologic Science for Technologists: Physics, Biology, and Protection (11th ed.). St. Louis, Elsevier Mosby

(This is the same text as required for the 2nd year unit 10026 Physical Principles of MRS)

 

  • Carlton, R., Adler, A., & Balac., V. (2019). Principles of radiographic imaging: an art and a science (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning Inc.

 

  • Adler, A., & Carlton, R. (2019). Introduction to Radiologic and Imaging Sciences and Patient Care (7th ed.). St. Louis, Elsevier Saunders.

Submission of assessment items

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is not available to students in this unit as per the Assessment Policy.

Unit Moderation and Referencing Guidelines

Assessment items undergo thorough moderation processes through the Discipline of Medical Radiation Science. Please refer to the Assessment Policy and the Assessment Procedures.

 

Correct and consistent referencing is an important component of producing professional and credible academic work. Referencing is to follow APA Style Guidelines (American Psychology Association). Information to support APA style referencing is available on the UC library website at http://canberra.libguides.com/c.php?g=599301&p=4148716.

 

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

Attendance and active involvement in lectures and laboratories is expected. Lectures are recorded (unless there are technical issues) so that you can review the lecture material again after the lecture. Recorded lectures are accessed through UC Learn/ Canvas site for this unit. In the event of a technical issue if lectures are unable to be recovered it is the students responsibility to review material.

Lab sessions are not recorded. 

Required IT skills

This unit involves face to face classes. If an online class is required this would occur in real time using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn teaching site. The Virtual Room allows you to communicate in real time with your lecturer and other students. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality we recommend a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, go to the Virtual Room in your UCLearn site and 'Join Course Room'. This will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room.

MRS Laboratory sessions are conducted in person and involve use of a computer based simulation software program. You will be provided with instruction on how to access and use this program. Basic computing skills are assumed.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None