Medical Imaging

The main aim of the course is to train and qualify Radiographers in the practice of either Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Safety and Interventional Radiography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging or Computed Tomography. The practical clinical experience required in each strand of the M.Sc. will be gained in the student’s own department. The Nuclear Medicine strand is designed to give a solid academic base in the understanding of the safe use and management of isotopes, and a high level of practical experience in Nuclear Medicine imaging techniques. The Radiation Safety and Interventional Radiography strand aims to provide a solid academic background in the legislative framework governing  radiation protection and a high level of practical experience in clinical Interventional Radiography. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging strand is designed to give a solid academic basis in the understanding of MR imaging, and a high level of practical experience in MRI techniques and in the safe use of MR imaging and associated equipment. The Computed Tomography strand is designed to give a solid academic basis in the understanding of Computed Tomography, and a high level of practical experience in Computed Tomography techniques and in the safe use of Computed Tomography imaging and associated equipment. The research methods and dissertation element of the course is designed to develop the student’s research skills. 

Applications will be accepted from those who:

• Hold a BSc in Radiography, or
• Hold an equivalent qualification,
• Have access to a clinical placement in a Radiology Department. Candidates will not be accepted onto the course unless they have a clinical placement,
• Otherwise satisfy the course admission committee that they have the ability to complete and benefit from the course.

The M.Sc. in Medical Imaging will incorporate both taught and practical components, with the taught component forming a substantial part. It is a course requirement that the student must spend a minimum of 15 hours per week on clinical placement in either a Nuclear Medicine Department, an Interventional Radiology Department, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Department or a Computed Tomography Department, as appropriate for the strand on which the student has enrolled.

The M.Sc. course consists of taught modules (60 ECTS) and a research project culminating in a written thesis of 20,000 words (30 ECTS).

The list of common core taught modules currently available to students on the Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Safety and Interventional Radiography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography strands are:

• Medico-Legal Aspects and Ethics, Risk Management and Clinical Audit (10 ECTS)
• Clinical Practice (10 ECTS)

Mandatory additional modules in the Nuclear Medicine strand are:

• Physics and Instrumentation, and Computer Technology, Radiation Protection and Quality Control (15 ECTS)
• Clinical Applications of Nuclear Medicine and Hybrid Imaging (15 ECTS)
• Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology applied to Nuclear Medicine (5 ECTS)
• Radiopharmacy (5 ECTS)

Mandatory additional modules in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging strand are:

• Physics, Instrumentation and Computer Technology of MRI (10 ECTS)
• MR Imaging Techniques and Protocols, Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology I (10 ECTS)
• MR Imaging Techniques and Protocols, Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology II (15 ECTS)
• Safety and QA in MR (5 ECTS)

Mandatory additional modules in the Radiation Safety and Interventional Radiography strand are:

• Practical Aspects of Radiation Protection and Radiation Protection Legislation (10 ECTS)
• Physics, Instrumentation and Computer Technology (10 ECTS)
• Quality Management and Quality Control (5 ECTS)
• Interventional Imaging Techniques and Protocols, Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology (15 ECTS)

Mandatory additional modules in the Computed Tomography strand are:

• Physics, Instrumentation and Computer Technology of CT (10 ECTS)
• CT Imaging Techniques and Protocols, Anatomy and Pathology I (10 ECTS)
• CT Imaging Techniques and Protocols, Anatomy and Pathology II (15 ECTS)
• Radiation Protection and QA in CT (5 ECTS)

All students proceeding to the dissertation component will also take the following module:

• Research Methods and Dissertation (30 ECTS)

The taught modules are assessed by clinical evaluation, coursework and written examinations. The coursework assessment includes clinical portfolios, written assignments, logbooks and an oral presentation. Clinical assessment includes a record of clinical practice and an on-site practical clinical assessment. The written examination and OSCE (objective structured clinical examination) are conducted in early May. All assessment components must be successfully completed.

To be eligible to proceed to the dissertation component leading to the degree of M.Sc. in Medical Imaging (Nuclear Medicine/ Radiation Safety and Interventional Radiography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Computed Tomography), students must achieve an average mark of 65% on the taught component of the course. Additionally, the student must achieve the pass mark of 50% in the assessments and written examination. No cross compensation is allowed between modules.  

Only students who satisfy the criteria outlined above may proceed to the research component. MSc students will complete a substantial research project and submit a dissertation of approximately 20,000 words. To satisfactorily complete a dissertation, students must submit their dissertation by the prescribed date and must obtain a pass mark of 50%. To qualify for the award of M.Sc. with Distinction, students must achieve a final overall mark of at least 70% in both the taught component and the dissertation. A distinction cannot be awarded if a candidate has failed any credit during the period of study.

Students who have passed the taught modules as outlined above but who do not choose to complete the dissertation or research element may be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Imaging. In order to qualify for the award of Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction, students must achieve an overall credit weighted average mark of at least 70% across all modules. At the annual Court of Examiners, students who fail the taught component assessments may at the discretion of the Court of Examiners, submit a supplementary assessment by an appointed date. Marks awarded at supplementary assessments are capped at the pass mark of 50%.

The examinations, coursework and dissertation are subject to external review.

In 2023-24, applications will be accepted for the following strands of the MSc in Medical Imaging:

• Computed Tomography
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Intake for other strands:

Nuclear Medicine: next intake September 2024 (runs every 2nd year)

Radiation Safety and Interventional Radiography: next intake to be confirmed

Applications for this course should be made online through https://www.tcd.ie/courses/postgraduate/.

Course code: PTMD-MIMA-1P M.Sc. in Medical Imaging

T: +353 1 896 3556
E: gradapps@tcd.ie

For further course information, please contact:
Dr. Suzanne Dennan,
Course Director,
E: dennans@tcd.ie

Course Administrator: Ms Michelle Hendrick, E: mhendric@tcd.ie 

Course Director: Dr. Suzanne Dennan, E: dennans@tcd.ie

Course Administrator: Ms Michelle Hendrick, E: mhendric@tcd.ie