Radiography

[kawfee]

Hey all,

Just wondering is anyone studying Radiography? As I have some questions about the course.

Also, I'm currently a second year Science student - a bit confused how I could get there too...as it is only now, I've realised I have an interest in this field.


Thank you.

[slothpomba]

Few options:

(1) Transfer to radiography. You could get into the Monash or RMIT course. Keep in mind the ATAR requirement is very high. If you previously couldn't make it in, that may (unfortunately) be the case now. Since you are a second year, they will also consider your uni marks to a much higher degree. You may get a unit or two off as credit (dubious) but most likely you'll start from scratch with all the other first years.

(2) Finish your science degree. Get a masters in diagnostic radiography, etc. I am unaware if any of these are offered in Victoria at the present time, i don't think they are. They are available interstate though.

The masters may cost more but it will be shorter and somewhat less mind numbing than starting from scratch. You will also end up with two degrees (although of dubious benefit if you will work as a radiographer).

Also consider similar fields like radiation medicine/therapy (used for breast cancer and a few other kinds) and medical physics. These positions are only in large hospitals though. This compares to radiography where there are many radiography places dotted through the suburbs. So, the number of jobs is far larger for radiography (reflected in entrance standards too).

[kawfee]

Few options:

(1) Transfer to radiography. You could get into the Monash or RMIT course. Keep in mind the ATAR requirement is very high. If you previously couldn't make it in, that may (unfortunately) be the case now. Since you are a second year, they will also consider your uni marks to a much higher degree. You may get a unit or two off as credit (dubious) but most likely you'll start from scratch with all the other first years.

(2) Finish your science degree. Get a masters in diagnostic radiography, etc. I am unaware if any of these are offered in Victoria at the present time, i don't think they are. They are available interstate though.

The masters may cost more but it will be shorter and somewhat less mind numbing than starting from scratch. You will also end up with two degrees (although of dubious benefit if you will work as a radiographer).

Also consider similar fields like radiation medicine/therapy (used for breast cancer and a few other kinds) and medical physics. These positions are only in large hospitals though. This compares to radiography where there are many radiography places dotted through the suburbs. So, the number of jobs is far larger for radiography (reflected in entrance standards too).

Thank you for the response!!!

I've looked at the Monash/RMIT sites, and I think it's only internal transfers...if I've interpreted/read it correctly. I go to Unimelb.
I could possibly go to do Sci at Monash...but I think just for now, I'll finish off my Bachelors at Melb, to keep my options open...although if I were to do Radiography later on, there would be a tiny overlap in terms of Anatomy, Physio which I don't mind.

And those areas you've listed such as radiation medicine etc seem interesting too! And I'll deffs look into doing a Masters in Radiography.

Thank you once again!

[slothpomba]

Just as a side note there are degrees available in Victoria for both radiation therapy (Monash and maybe one other place) and medical physics (RMIT i believe).

You only need like 60 WAM to be considered as well.

Keep in mind Monash just added a new degree (bachelor of health sciences) which includes a stream that basically prepares people to take the masters in radiation therapy. Expect a flood of graduates once the first cohort graduates and after that. My short term forecast to this degree is probably negative until the markets/students ideas correct themselves again.

Don't know much about the medical physics one but i believe they're the people who prepare the isotopes and so on. Even fewer jobs but its somewhat balanced by the fact that far less people are capable to do physics like this.

https://www.study.monash/courses/find-a-course/2016/radiation-therapy-m6004

https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/levels-of-study/postgraduate-study/masters-by-coursework/mc215/?src=/317/91140/496/#pageId=overview

[kawfee]

Just as a side note there are degrees available in Victoria for both radiation therapy (Monash and maybe one other place) and medical physics (RMIT i believe).

You only need like 60 WAM to be considered as well.

Keep in mind Monash just added a new degree (bachelor of health sciences) which includes a stream that basically prepares people to take the masters in radiation therapy. Expect a flood of graduates once the first cohort graduates and after that. My short term forecast to this degree is probably negative until the markets/students ideas correct themselves again.

Don't know much about the medical physics one but i believe they're the people who prepare the isotopes and so on. Even fewer jobs but its somewhat balanced by the fact that far less people are capable to do physics like this.

https://www.study.monash/courses/find-a-course/2016/radiation-therapy-m6004

https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/levels-of-study/postgraduate-study/masters-by-coursework/mc215/?src=/317/91140/496/#pageId=overview

Bachelor of Health Sciences?! Wow. The course seems interesting and 'rounded', I guess...I'm keen to see first year student reviews after 2016.

It also seems suitable for those interested in management at Hospitals e.g officers, managers, board members etc perhaps?

Also, what do you mean by "degree is probably negative until the markets/students ideas correct themselves again. " ?

[slothpomba]

Also, what do you mean by "degree is probably negative until the markets/students ideas correct themselves again. " ?

Depends how much you know about economics. Generally, once the first cohort of health science students graduate, many of them would have specialised in the radiation stuff. Naturally, heaps would suddenly try join the various radiation degrees around Victoria. I'd assume there would be a lot of them and possibly the universities would increase the number of places just to cash in (like they did with pharmacy).

So, now, you have all these students (again like pharmacy). Arguably, far too many students than the market really demands (not many radiation therapy jobs). So, it gets harder for everyone to get a job. More unemployed students (in that field), wages may be depressed (pharmacy again) and so on. A few years later, students will eventually clue on to how its gone down hill and students will compensate by not applying for that degree etc.