Medical Physics and Imaging Technology

The Medical Physics and Imaging Technology BTech specialisation aims to provide students with a winning combination of skills that will enable them to move into careers in the rapidly growing and increasingly complex fields of Imaging Technologies and associated areas. The principle objectives of the programme are to provide a strong background in physics, as it applies to medicine, and relevant areas of biomedical science, and to supplement this with specialist research-led training in biophotonics, biomedical imaging and instrumentation. The biophotonics research group, set up in 2005 in the Physics Department, is a stimulating environment for students doing their fourth year BTech project, and you will most certainly work closely with hospital or industrial teams during your final year.

Students entering the programme should already have a strong background in physics, biology and calculus. The fourth year of this programme is competitive, with only 25 students gaining admission.

The BTech - Medical Physics and Imaging Technology is a set programme of study. Courses in Parts I - IV must be passed to complete the degree. Please note: if you commenced this programme before 2012 you should still enrol in the courses below to meet the degree requirements.

Part I

• 90 points:
  • BIOSCI 101 Essential Biology: From Genomes to Organisms
  • BIOSCI 106 Foundations of Biochemistry
  • BIOSCI 107 Biology for Biomedical Science: Cellular Processes and Development
  • CHEM 110 Chemistry of the Living World
  • MEDSCI 142 Biology for Biomedical Science: Organ Systems
  • PHYSICS 160 Physics for the Life Sciences
  • 15 points from courses offered at this University*
  • 15 points from approved General Education courses

Part II

• 90 points: MEDSCI 205, 206, PHYSICS 130, 240, 280, ENGGEN 131
• 15 points from MATHS 108, 150
• 15 points from MATHS 208, 250

Part III

• 75 points: BIOMENG 241, MEDSCI 309, PHYSICS 231, 261, 340
• 15 points from ENGSCI 211, PHYSICS 211
• 15 points from ENGSCI 314, 343, BIOMENG 321, MEDSCI 308-312, 316, 317**
• 15 points from approved General Education courses

Part IV

• 45 points: BTECH 491
• 75 points: MEDSCI 703, 737, PHYSICS 326, 390, 780

*It is highly recommended to take MATHS 108 or MATHS 150 in Part 1 and the Elective in Part 2
**MEDSCI 308 and 310 will no longer be offered from 2012. MEDSCI 316 and 317 replace these courses.

This specialisation has been created to fill a large industry gap. There is a shortage of personnel in the medical industries who are proficient in the complementary areas of physics, biology and physiology and skilled in the design and application of Imaging Technologies. Career opportunities offered to our graduates range from the medical to the corporate environment, such as medical physicist, positions in organisations like local District Health Boards, or research positions in a wide range of national and international Industrial Research and Development Centres (for Medical Imaging and Biomedical equipment).

To enter training to become a hospital physicist you need to apply via The Australian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine. They offer paid training at the University of Canterbury or several Australian universities and are accredited under the Training, Education and Accreditation Programme (TEAP).

For more information see www.acpsem.org.au.

Biophotonics is now an established discipline at international conferences and meetings and every effort is made worldwide by companies to commercialise new biosensors and other biomedical probes.

For further information, refer to the Bachelor of Technology Handbook

or contact

Dr Frederique Vanholsbeeck
MPIT Coordinator
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 88881
Email: f.vanholsbeeck@auckland.ac.nz

Science Student Centre
Ground Floor, Building 301
Science Centre
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 88199
Email: scifac@auckland.ac.nz

• How to apply
  
• General Education requirements for undergraduates
• Course descriptions
  
• Class timetable (Login to Student Services Online)