MC215 - Master of Medical Physics

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Plan: MC215 - Master of Medical Physics
Campus: City Campus

Overview

Program details
Purpose of the Program
Articulation and pathways
Entrance requirements
External accreditation and industry links
Student expenses and charges in addition to fees
Library, IT and specialist resources

Program details

Award title: Master of Medical Physics
Award abbreviation: MMedPhys
Total credit points: 192
Career: PGRD
Duration: 2 years full-time; 4 years part-time
Location: City Campus and Bundoora Campus
Owning school: Science (171H)
Owning school URL: www.rmit.edu.au/about/schools-colleges/science
ASCED code: 010301
CRICOS code: 080227G

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Purpose of the Program

The Master of Medical Physics is designed for physical scientists seeking specialist knowledge and skills in the field of medical physics.

You will develop knowledge of contemporary technological capabilities in diagnostic and therapeutic applications of radiation and other physical phenomena. You will be able to apply high level cognitive skills to the performance evaluation of medical equipment, analyse outputs, and diagnose problems. With initiative and a high degree of independence, you will be instrumental in the evaluation and implementation of new technologies and translation of research into professional practice. Your communication skills will position you as an important advisor to a team of professionals including oncologists, radiologists, therapists, technologists and biomedical engineers. Through the completion of a substantial research project in collaboration with an external institution, you will apply your specialised expertise to design and conduct research that addresses practical challenges facing scientists in this field.

As a graduate of this program, you will have the knowledge and skills necessary for employment as a professional Medical Physicist in the fields of Radiation Oncology, Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging or as a Radiation Safety specialist or Health Physicist in occupational or environmental radiation protection. This program meets the postgraduate tertiary education component of the requirements for Certification as a Medical Physicist by the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine.  It will also provide the opportunity to undertake a PhD by research, subject to higher degree (research) entry requirements.

BIOL2485 Research Project A (Planning) and BIOL2328 Research Project  B (Implementation) serve as a capstone experience in Year 2 of your program - the culmination of your medical physics studies. You will either identify a research project from a workplace scenario you have encountered or will be selecting a topic your academic supervisors or industry collaborators have proposed in relation to their research activities or clinical responsibilities. Your research project will have an industry consultant as a co-supervisor who will jointly assess the research project outcomes with the academic supervisor.

This program requires on campus attendance both at the City and Bundoora campuses with the majority of courses delivered at the City campus. It includes both face-to-face and on-line learning and teaching components.

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Articulation and pathways

If you have successfully completed one of the following qualifications majoring in physics you will be eligible for advanced standing as follows:

Qualification level

Advanced Standing

Remaining program duration

Bachelor degree in Science with a Physics Major at AQF Level 7

 Up to 12 credit points relating to some or all of the following courses:

  • PHYS2167 Radiation Physics & Laboratory

180 credit points

Bachelor of Science with a Physics Major (Honours)

Up to 24 credit points (subject to the courses completed in the Honours year.

  • PHYS2167 Radiation Physics & Laboratory
  • COSC2752 Programming Fundamentals for Scientists

 168 credit points

Applicants with Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master’s degree or PhD qualification majoring in a different discipline may also be eligible for advanced standing of up to 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full-time study). 

Information is available on the RMIT University website about how to apply for Credit Transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit

Upon completion of courses totalling 96 credit points you will be eligible to exit the program with the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics.

Upon successful completion of this program you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University, including PhD in Physics by research, subject to each program's entry requirements.

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Entrance requirements

MC215 Master of Medical Physics has been discontinued and will no longer accept new students from Semester 2 2023.

Program entry requirements

An Australian bachelor degree with a GPA of at least 2.0 out of 4.0 in a physical science, biomedical engineering or equivalent, having substantial physics and mathematics components.

International qualifications are assessed according to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).  

English language requirements

A minimum IELTS (Academic module) overall score of 6.5, with no band below 6.0; or equivalent.   For equivalents to English entry requirements, see the English equivalents web page 

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants with a bachelor degree in physics, or in science with a physics major, may be elgible for credit. See the Articulation and Pathways section for more information

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External accreditation and industry links

The Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM) oversees a Professional Accreditation program which recognises and certifies experienced medical physicists. Medical Physicists are employed clinically in the fields of radiotherapy, medical imaging, nuclear medicine, and in the associated research and regulatory activities in non-hospital institutions.

To be Certified as a professional medical physicist in Australia, you must complete the requirements stipulated by the ACPSEM. This includes:

  1. Undergraduate Bachelor of Science (Physics major and strong maths subjects) or a Bachelor of Engineering (strong Physics and maths subjects), or ACPSEM approved equivalents.
  2. an ACPSEM approved post graduate degree in Medical Physics (usually Master's or higher), or ACPSEM approved equivalents. You MUST also meet the undergraduate requirements (above).
  3. completion of the ACPSEM Training, Education and Accreditation Program (TEAP) while employed as a Medical Physics Registrar at an Accredited clinical centre.

    This program is accreditated by the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM).

    RMIT University is the only tertiary education provider accredited by ACPSEM in Victoria.

    Medical Physics programs in the School of Science at RMIT University are closely linked with all major hospitals in Melbourne through teaching and research collaborations. Courses taught in this program have been developed in consultation with practicing professionals in the fields of radiotherapy oncology, medical imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiation protection. Research projects are conducted in collaboration with a wide range of collaborating institutions who are also the primary employers of graduates from these programs.

    This program is advised by a Industry Advisory Committees comprised of external members drawn from diverse external industries and institutions. These provide further opportunities for networking and are a useful link in ensuring that the teaching material and student capabilities remain close to the needs of future employers.

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    Student expenses and charges in addition to fees

    Once you are enrolled as a student in this program you will need to allow for expenses other than university tuition fees.  Additional expenses may relate to the purchase of lecture notes, textbooks, stationery, consumables such as printer paper, fees levied by commercial internet service providers for internet access outside of the university campus, and other relevant costs.

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    Library, IT and specialist resources

    Library resources and services

    As a student enrolled in a program at RMIT University you can access the extensive services, facilities and study space provided by the Library. You can access books, journals and other course related materials, such as DVDs, past exams, newspapers and e-books. Through our document delivery service you can also request items from any library in the world.

    Computers for study are available at every Library site, where you can access the Internet, myRMIT (www.rmit.edu.au/myrmit) or Library e-resources. If you have a laptop you can access the RMIT University wireless network in the Library. Library staff can show you how to find information for your assignments or you can work through web-based tutorials or use our online Ask a Librarian service. The Library is continually expanding our electronic collections to make it easier for you to get the information you need when you need it. All RMIT University students have unlimited access to quality electronic resources such as, e-books, e-journals and newspapers. You can find more information on Library resources and services at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library

    Online learning tools and content

    You can access online learning tools and content for your program and associated courses at myRMITwww.rmit.edu.au/myrmit

    Additional IT Resources

    Students in this program will also have acces to High Performance Computing clusters for radiation transport simulation modelling, and to a dedicated radiotherapy treatment planning system laboratory.

    Services available to you as a student at RMIT University 

    RMIT University provides a wide range of resources and opportunities to assist your
    learning and wellbeing so you can achieve your study and career goals. Services are available face to face and online assisting with:

    • transition to tertiary study and learning 
    • study skills, academic skills including literacy, mathematics and basic sciences if relevant
    • enabling assistance if you have a disability, long term medical condition or other form of disadvantage which may impact on your learning
    • career development and employment
    • living and wellbeing (including advice on health, housing and financial matters)
    • opportunities for scholarships, leadership and study abroad
    • opportunities for participating in arts, sport, recreation, fitness activities as well as student activism and university governance

    We also offer a friendly and supportive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

    You can find more information at www.rmit.edu.au/students

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