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Medical Sciences

Sonography - Postgraduate Studies

"Ultrasound on lady"Postgraduate Sonography courses / programs offered online include:

Graduate Diploma
Masters by Coursework

Welcome to the School of Medical Sciences at RMIT University. The School incorporates five Disciplines: Cell Biology and Anatomy, Exercise Sciences, Laboratory Medicine, Medical Radiations and Pharmacology and Physiology.

Each Discipline conducts both research and teaching programs in the medical sciences at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, whilst our online learning programs in Sonography lead towards a Graduate Diploma and Master of Applied Science.

We look forward to assisting you to grow your understanding, and are committed to the production of quality online learning resources.


Why Study Sonography at RMIT?

RMIT has been at the forefront of Sonography education since it introduced the first Graduate Diploma in Ultrasonography in 1980. Now RMIT offers cutting edge online postgraduate programs that build on years of experience, embrace the latest technology, and are delivered by academics who are committed to helping students achieve their goals.

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Career Prospects

Sonographers are in short supply throughout Australia, particularly in regional and rural areas. This situation is unlikely to change in the near future.

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Possible Pathways Through the Program

"Sonography Flowchart"

As shown in the flowchart, there are several pathways through the programs.Entry is possible to both programs through the RMIT Graduate Diploma (Sonography).Medical Radiations graduates (or equivalent) seeking an ultrasound qualification may complete the Graduate Diploma program and then exit.Alternatively, they may choose to also complete the Masters extension to the Graduate Diploma program and then exit.People who have completed a Graduate Diploma equivalent to RMIT’s may enter the Masters extension directly, bypassing the Graduate Diploma, and then exit.

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Program Assessment

The various forms of assessment in this program include assignments, written examinations and practical skills evaluation. There are some formal chat/threaded discussion sessions that will include the lecturer, though these do not always form a formal portion of assessment.

Examinations are held in the student’s local area if they don’t reside near RMIT. Practical assessment takes place in the student’s work place.

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Web-based Distance Education Program

The Graduate Diploma program is taught using a web-based flexible delivery mode. There are no on-campus attendance requirements. Flexible delivery allows self-directed learning, so you can decide when and where you study. You may have the opportunity to work at home or at your workplace or a combination of both. All of the study materials are accessed through a personal computer, or from the prescribed texts that are listed in the course notes. A range of learning materials is used in the program, including the Internet, email, on-line chat/threaded discussion sessions and telephone contact with academic staff. A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) menu is also available on the program’s WWW page for some common queries. The course lecturer is able to be contacted at all times by email. It is assumed that the student has a reasonable knowledge of Information Technology (IT), notably in the area of internet use.

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Computer Requirements to Study Online

To access program materials, students will require a personal computer with a minimum of Windows 2000, MS Office and Netscape Web browser, or its equivalent. Students will also require Internet access via an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Minimum hardware requirements are: 500 megahertz or higher Pentium, a minimum of 512 megabytes of RAM, and a 28.8kbps modem or better. Much care will be taken to ensure that additional materials in the form of images etc. will not appear on the working WWW page, but rather they will appear as links that you may download when required. The program is designed to be downloaded onto your system as quickly as possible.

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Course* Descriptions

*Please note: course/s = subject/s

Ultrasound Imaging Instrumentation
Ultrasound Imaging Instrumentation addresses the basic physics of ultrasound and the principles and operation of ultrasound imaging instrumentation.

Ultrasound Technology and Bio-effects
Ultrasound Technology and Bio-effects addresses Doppler ultrasound physics and instrumentation, bio-effects, data recording techniques and recent developments in ultrasound technology.

Abdominal Ultrasound
This course*covers abdominal ultrasound theory and practice, excluding those used in obstetrics and gynaecology, and develops in the student the skills required for competent general sonographic examinations of the abdomen.

Ultrasound of Superficial Structures
This course* covers the anatomy, physiology, pathology and sonographic techniques used in investigations of the neck, breast, scrotum, musculo-skeletal studies and other superficial parts applications.

Ultrasound of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
This course* covers the ultrasound techniques in regard to gynaecology, including normal and pathological conditions of the uterus, ovaries and adnexa, and the ultrasound techniques currently applied to obstetrics throughout the three trimesters, including normal appearances, fetal abnormalities and complications of pregnancy.

Medico-Legal Studies and Ethics
This course* introduces students to those aspects of law and ethics which are relevant to clinical practice generally, and the practice of sonography in particular.

Vascular Ultrasound
This course* covers vascular ultrasound theory and practice.It establishes a theoretical basis upon which all vascular assessment is performed, develops a knowledge base in all areas of vascular ultrasound, and in particular carotid, DVT studies and mass assessment.

Advanced Ultrasound Practice
This course* builds upon the foundation of knowledge acquired in the other courses* in the program, so the student may refine and be able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for competent general sonographic practice.

Research Methods
This course* aims to skill the student in the methods used in research in biological and biotechnological sciences, and enhance the transition of the student from a coursework-based program to research.

Research Project Planning
In this course*, the student and research supervisors negotiate and complete an individual learning strategy to develop a research project proposal appropriate for a minor research thesis.

Research Project
This course* further develops research skills in the student following the completion of a research proposal in the Research Project Planning course*. A learning strategy will be implemented to allow students to conduct a research project and complete a minor thesis of approximately 15,000 words.

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Student Study Workload

Students need to complete two courses* per semester in order to complete the Graduate Diploma program in the minimum time of 2 years. Successful completion of the program requires a high degree of commitment from participants. Students will be required to spend some time reading through the study material before attempting various components of assessment such as assignment questions. This program and its courses* are based less on the notion of study time, and more on the attainment of key skills, knowledge and attitudes. Therefore it is assumed that students with prior learning at a high level will require less time to attain the required standard.

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Accreditation

The Graduate Diploma (Sonography) has been fully accredited by the Australasian Sonographers Accreditation Registry (ASAR).

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More Information

For further information about this program please contact Program Coordinator Dr Heather Clarke or contact the School of Medical Sciences by phone +61 3 9925 7075 or e-mail medicalsciences@rmit.edu.au

The School of Medical Sciences offers students the opportunity to study a variety of postgraduate, degree, tertiary and higher education programs and courses at the Bundoora campus, Melbourne, Australia. A variety of online programs are also available.

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