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CG91 - Bachelor of Medical Sonography/Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography

Overview

Compulsory Residential School

Some units in this course require you to attend a compulsory Residential School or Work Integrated Learning. Please see Course Features in the Getting Started tab for further information.

Course Overview

The Medical Sonography course will enable you to apply sonographic knowledge and practical scanning skills in the diagnostic imaging setting. You will develop a high level of skill and proficiency in performing sonographic studies and evaluate findings so you can tailor your scans to the individual patient in a safe, caring and effective manner. You will also develop effective communication skills enabling you to interact positively with patients and other health professionals in the clinical work environment. Your clinical decision-making and problem solving skills will be promoted through the use of simulation based learning techniques and exposure to 'real world' conditions while on clinical practice. As a graduate, you can apply to register as 'General Sonographers' with the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry.

Career Information

A Medical Sonographer (or Ultrasonographer) is a health professional who uses ultrasonic equipment to produce diagnostic images, scans, videos, or 3D or 4D volumes of anatomy and diagnostic data. A sonographer requires specialised education and skills to view, analyse and modify the scan to optimise the information captured on the image. A sonographer has an important degree of responsibility in the diagnostic process because of the high levels of decisional latitude and diagnostic input. Communication skills, exemplary professional attitudes and care for the physical and psycho social well-being of the patient are all critical to success in this field.

Sonographers are in demand in many public and private health facilities. An expanding and ageing population will ensure the demand will remain for the foreseeable future.

Course Details
Duration 4 years full-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 192
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term.
Course Type Undergraduate Dual Degree
Qualification (post nominal) BMedSono/GradDipMedSono
AQF Level Level 8: Graduate Diploma
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2024
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $9,889
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $28,671
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $19,140
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $38,340
Indicative Year - 2023
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $9,173
Indicative Year - 2022
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $8,017

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 1 - 2025

Brisbane
Melbourne
Mackay
Sydney

Term 1 - 2024

Brisbane
Melbourne
Mackay
Sydney

Term 1 - 2023

Brisbane
Melbourne
Mackay
Sydney

Term 1 - 2022

Brisbane
Melbourne
Mackay
Sydney

Term 1 - 2021

Brisbane
Melbourne
Mackay
Perth
Sydney

Term 1 - 2020

Year 1 of the course is studied online, with the exception of attendance at two compulsory two-day residential schools, which must be attended at your campus of admission.
Brisbane
Melbourne
Mackay
Perth
Sydney

Term 1 - 2019

Students must enrol on a campus. The first year is predominantly delivered in mixed mode with two compulsory residential schools on your campus of enrolment. Years 2 and 3 are delivered internally on your campus of enrolment and year 4 is wholly on clinical placement anywhere in Australia or New Zealand, as allocated.
Brisbane
Melbourne
Mackay
Perth
Sydney

Term 1 - 2018

Offers of admission are made at a specific campus and campus transfers are not available. Students wishing to transfer into this course or change campus must apply via the state application centre. Student number quotas apply. Only Year 1 of the course is available by distance study. There are compulsory residential schools in Year 1 which you must attend at your campus of enrolment. You must study internally at your campus of enrolment in year 2 and part of year 3.
Brisbane
Melbourne
Mackay
Perth
Sydney

Term 1 - 2017

Offers of admission are made at a specific campus. Internal campus transfers are not available. Students wishing to change campus must re-apply via the state application centre. There are student quota limits for this course. Only Year 1 of the course is available by distance study. There are two compulsory residential schools in Year 1 which you must attend at your campus of enrolment. You must study internally at your campus of enrolment in year 2 and part of year 3.
Brisbane
Melbourne
Mackay
Perth
Sydney

Term 1 - 2016

Offers of admission are made to a program at a specific campus. Internal campus transfers are not available. Students wishing to change campus must re-apply via the state application centre.
Brisbane
Melbourne
Mackay
Sydney

Term 1 - 2015

Offers of admission are made to a program at a specific campus. Campus transfers are not available. Students wishing to change campus must re-apply via the state application centre. Please refer to More Details for important information regarding this.
Brisbane
Melbourne
Mackay
Sydney

Term 1 - 2014

Offers of admission are made to a program at a specific campus. Campus transfers are not available. Students wishing to change campus must re-apply via the state application centre. Please refer to More Details for important information regarding this.
Brisbane
Melbourne
Mackay
Sydney
Show All

International Availability

Term 1 - 2025

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2024

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2023

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2022

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2021

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2020

Year 1 of the course is studied online, with the exception of attendance at two compulsory two-day residential schools, which must be attended at your campus of admission.
Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2019

Students must enrol on a campus. The first year is predominantly delivered in mixed mode with two compulsory residential schools on your campus of enrolment. Years 2 and 3 are delivered internally on your campus of enrolment and year 4 is wholly on clinical placement anywhere in Australia or New Zealand, as allocated.
Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2018

Offers of admission are made at a specific campus and campus transfers are not available. Students wishing to transfer into this course or change campus must apply via the state application centre. Student number quotas apply. Only Year 1 of the course is available by distance study. There are compulsory residential schools in Year 1 which you must attend at your campus of enrolment. You must study internally at your campus of enrolment in year 2 and part of year 3.
Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2017

Offers of admission are made at a specific campus. Internal campus transfers are not available. Students wishing to change campus must re-apply via the state application centre. There are student quota limits for this course. Only Year 1 of the course is available by distance study. There are two compulsory residential schools in Year 1 which you must attend at your campus of enrolment. You must study internally at your campus of enrolment in year 2 and part of year 3.
Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2016

Offers of admission are made to a program at a specific campus. Internal campus transfers are not available. Students wishing to change campus must re-apply via the state application centre.
Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2015

Offers of admission are made to a program at a specific campus. Campus transfers are not available. Students wishing to change campus must re-apply via the state application centre. Please refer to More Details for important information regarding this.
Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2014

Offers of admission are made to a program at a specific campus. Campus transfers are not available. Students wishing to change campus must re-apply via the state application centre. Please refer to More Details for important information regarding this.
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Show All
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
What do I need to start?
Entry Scores
Rank Threshold SR 77.00 | ATAR 77.00
Entry Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years of:

  • a secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
  • bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0

 completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores as below:

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 7.0 overall with a minimum 7.0 for Reading and Writing and 7.0 for Speaking and Listening, or
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

Each student will be assessed individually.

Assumed Knowledge

English, Biology, Science, Physics, Maths

Fees and Charges
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards CL13 - Diploma of Health Science CB26 - Bachelor of Health Science (Imaging)
Accreditation
  • Professional Practice: Core
    Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR)

    The combined course of Bachelor of Medical Sonography and Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography has been accredited by the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR). Both parts of the course must be completed to gain accreditation. The external accreditation body sets a MAXIMUM time that individuals may be on the ASAR Registry as a Student Sonographer of 5 years from the date of initial entry onto the registry. This requirement means that students must complete this course of study within 5 years of their student registration date in order to qualify as an Accredited Medical Sonographer (AMS).

Residential School Requirements

Compulsory Residential School There are first year units that include mandatory residential schools/workshops for ALL students. These residential schools must be attended at the campus of enrollment ONLY
Click here to view all Residential Schools

Practicum/Work Placement

MEDS13006 - Students will complete a ten week block placement (400 hours) in a diagnostic imaging facility. Students perform specified general ultrasound studies under the direct supervision of a qualified sonographer, or delegate. Students are supported on-site by a clinical supervisor and by the academic course coordinator and clinical academic at CQUniversity.
MEDS20016 - Students will complete a nineteen week block placement (760 hours) in one (or more) diagnostic imaging facilities. Students perform a broad range of general ultrasound studies under the direct supervision of a qualified sonographer, or delegate. Students are supported on-site by a clinical supervisor and by the academic course coordinator and clinical academic at CQUniversity.
MEDS20017 - Students will complete a sixteen week block placement (640 hours) in one (or more) diagnostic imaging facilities. Students perform a wide range of general ultrasound studies, progressing to independent practice in preparation for entry to professional practice. Students are supported on-site by a clinical supervisor and by the academic course coordinator and clinical academic at CQUniversity.
MEDS12007 - Students will complete a five week block placement (200 hours) in a diagnostic imaging facility. Students perform specified general ultrasound studies under the direct supervision of a qualified sonographer, or delegate. Students are supported on-site by a clinical supervisor and by the academic course coordinator and clinical academic at CQUniversity.

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2024 429
2023 520
2022 577
2021 616
2020 604
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.

If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.

General Information

Sonographers, like other health professionals, are required to be proactive in professional development activities throughout their career to remain accredited in their profession. To foster this requirement, beginning at university level, students must strive to take responsibility for their own learning during the course to ensure they are well prepared for their life long learning journey.

Examples are:

  • Learning in a collaborative partnership with academics and clinical supervisors
  • Being an engaged member of your cohort
  • Reflecting on your own performance and proactively seeking out ways to improve
  • Being inquisitive and seeking out knowledge in a holistic manner
Ethical Behaviour

Examples are:

  • Complying with CQUniversity academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
  • Complying with professional association (Australasian Sonographer's Association, ASA) and accrediting body (Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry, ASAR) guidelines and code of practice.
  • Treating personal information obtained in classroom and clinical settings as private and confidential.
  • Respecting an individual's/group's diversity by demonstrating sensitivity to religious cultural and individual differences.
  • Demonstrating an ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and taking responsibility for ensuring awareness of and adherence to ethical behaviour.
Behavioural Stability

Examples are:

  • Interacting positively and effectively with other students while attending activities related to the course.
  • Being receptive and responding appropriately to different viewpoints, to constructive feedback and to direction from academics and clinical staff.
  • Coping effectively with your own emotions, responses and behaviour when dealing with challenging situations at the university to ensure your safety and well-being, and the safety and well-being of other students and staff.
  • Coping effectively with your own emotions, responses and behaviour when dealing with challenging situations in the clinical setting to ensure your safety and well-being, and the patient's safety and well-being.
Legal Compliance

Examples are:

  • Complying with clinical sites requirements. These include criminal record checks and child protection and safety legislation including mandatory reporting requirements. (National Criminal Record Check and Working with Children Check).
  • Understanding and adhering to professional policy around the use of social media.
  • Knowing, understanding and complying with legislative, regulatory requirements and policy directives which are necessary pre-requisites to clinical placements in order to reduce the risk of harm, to self and others (for example occupational assessment, screening and vaccination against infectious diseases).
Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)

Examples are:

  • Actively participating in discussion activities related to the course.
  • Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual or group.
  • Verbally communicating your knowledge and skills with accuracy, appropriateness and effectiveness.
  • Providing team members with clear concise verbal reports related to patient clinical presentation, situation/presentation, background history, clinical assessment and result of the ultrasound examination.
  • Communicating with patients in an empathic and caring manner.
  • Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of peers, patients and others, and responding appropriately.
  • Using appropriate facial expressions, eye contact and gestures while being mindful of interpersonal space.
  • When required, needing to recognise and interpret non-verbal cues of others and responding appropriately during activities related to the course and clinical placements.
  • Constructing your assessment work to academic standards with attention to correct grammar and punctuation.
  • Constructing fluent summarised written text from complex and detailed information.
  • Constructing legible reports in a timely manner to meet professional standards and clearly communicating the intended message.
  • Accurately documenting charts and records, meeting legal and professional requirements.
  • Accessing a computer for your studies.
  • Regularly accessing the Internet for research, and email for communication with peers and lecturers.
  • Analysing, manipulating and displaying scientific information.
Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)

Examples are:

  • Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
  • Applying knowledge of policy and procedures in clinical settings.
  • Performing your duties within set time-frames.
  • Applying relevant theoretical knowledge to understand a patient's history when undertaking patient assessment.
  • Applying theoretical knowledge of the human body systems and sonography to enable sonography information gathering and interpretation.
  • Paraphrasing, summarising and referencing in accordance with appropriate academic conventions.
  • Actively listening to information within a variety of academic, clinical, and emergency situations.
  • Reading and accurately interpreting information related to patients.
  • Completing documentation that is accurate, clear and concise.
  • Demonstrating competency in applying basic mathematics knowledge and skills in using adaptive equipment that correctly meets measurement requirements in sonographic examinations.
  • Applying numeracy skills to interpret and solve problems in a range of educational and clinical settings.
  • Having practical skills and able to evaluate data in order to assess patients and evaluate findings in a safe and effective manner.
Sensory Abilities (Visual, Auditory, Tactile)

Examples are:

  • Focussing on and recognising objects that are either near or far.
  • Safely operating electronic equipment.
  • Reading and interpreting diagnostic images, scans, videos, or 3D or 4D volumes of anatomy and diagnostic data.
  • Recognising variations in and interpreting diagnostic images using grey scale ultrasound, pulsed wave Doppler and colour Doppler imaging.
  • Visually distinguishing red from blue to determine the direction of blood flow.
  • Selecting an optimal image and differentiating pathology using visual pattern recognition.
  • Sufficiently hearing verbal communication from other students and lecturers during activities related to the course.
  • Having sufficient auditory ability to consistently and accurately monitor, assess and manage a patient's needs.
  • Accurately interpreting verbal communications and directions from staff.
  • Hearing computer generated sounds which indicate pathology in the patient.
  • Using touch in an appropriate manner when conveying positive messages for emotional support during difficult circumstances.
  • Conducting physical assessments using an ultrasound machine and detecting any anatomical abnormalities.
Relational Skills

Examples are:

  • Collaborating with fellow students and clinical staff in planning, modifying and completing projects and procedures.
  • Demonstrating respect for and consideration of divergent points of view within teams.
  • Adapting to a variety of styles of instruction, feedback and supervision on clinical placements.
  • Rapidly building rapport with patients to engage cooperation, elicit information and provide effective care in carrying out imaging examinations.
  • Interacting and engaging with individuals and groups in a respectful and culturally competent manner.
  • Responding constructively to feedback on performance.
Reflective Skills

Examples are:

  • Assessing your own performance in a range of environments, including the classroom, clinical simulation laboratories and clinical workplace.
  • Identifying contributing factors to your thinking patterns, actions and behaviours.
  • Identifying when your performance may be negatively affected by your emotional response.
  • Evaluating your knowledge and skills to determine whether or not a clinical activity is within your scope of practice.
  • Being able to evaluate the effectiveness of assessment data that has been determined and identify areas for improvement.
  • Ability to relate new knowledge to prior understanding.
  • Formulating an action plan to address an identified performance gap.
Sustainable Performance

Examples are:

  • Actively participating in activities related to the course with adequate, sustained levels of physical energy and concentration.
  • Participating in learning clinical skills and fully engaging in clinical practice activities.
  • Having a sustained level of concentration and physical endurance during on-campus practical skills teaching and practise, clinical placements, and in your professional daily activities.
Strength and Mobility (Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills)

Examples are:

  • Incorporating a range of gross motor skills while participating effectively in activities related to the course.
  • Maintaining balance while safely transferring delicate and large equipment.
  • Moving with ease and efficiency around patients and equipment items, such as wheelchairs and beds, while performing delivery of care.
  • Safely retrieving and utilising stock and equipment.
  • Manipulating delicate, breakable and sensitive equipment such as ultrasound transducers and other ultrasonic equipment, with ease and care.
  • Moving an ultrasound transducer dexterously on a patient in multiple planes.
  • Undertaking fine motor manipulations of the ultrasound transducer in order to slide, rotate, tilt and fan through a structure to detect pathology.
  • Maneuvering bulky, heavy and sensitive equipment such as ultrasound machines to ensure appropriate ergonomic positions which may include moving the machine to other locations by pushing on wheels, and application and release of brakes by foot control.
Interpersonal Engagement

Examples are:

  • Being a productive team member during learning activities in simulation and during clinical practice.
  • Providing feedback to and responding to feedback from peers in learning teams.
  • Developing and sustaining rapport with supervising clinicians during clinical practice to support effective working relationships, positive learning environments and positive outcomes for patients.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Abilities

Examples are:

  • Using the Moodle learning management system to engage with classmates and your academics, access learning materials and undertake assessments.
  • Using word processing, presentation and spreadsheet applications in undertaking assessments.
  • Using ultrasound systems to produce, process and optimise sonographic images.
  • Using facility Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS) to retrieve, view and manipulate medical diagnostic images.
  • Retrieving patient information and documenting procedures in Hospital Information Systems (HIS) and Radiology Information Systems (RIS) during clinical practice.
Compulsory Requirements
Health Requirements

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements apply to this course and as such are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks and are outlined in the health, security and other compulsory requirements sections. Mandatory checks are determined by industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date prior to a WIL placement and maintain current evidence for the duration of the course. 

Mandatory health requirements include immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) to the following diseases: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, and Tuberculosis screening. Additional vaccinations and screening are subject to the site or state health authority. Respirator mask fit testing is also an annual requirement for this course. 

COVID-19 Vaccination Advice

Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories, with the exception of Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare students.    

Security Requirements

Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance and working with children check.

 

Other Compulsory Requirements

Other mandatory requirements include a student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, fitness to participate in WIL student declaration, jurisdictional and site-specific compulsory requirements, and other training modules. 

Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Practice competently as a graduate sonographer, as required by the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry.
  • 2. Recall a broad and coherent core body of sonographic knowledge as outline by the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry.
  • 3. Apply sonographic knowledge to your practice.
  • 4. Demonstrate all competencies through a broad range of activities in accordance with the requirements of the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry.
  • 5. Use appropriate professional and inter-personal skills as a sonographer in accordance with CQUniversity's postgraduate attributes and the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry.guidelines.
  • 6. Conduct a research study in sonography and present the outcomes.
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4 5 6
1. KNOWLEDGE Have advanced knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge that may include the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills in a new or existing discipline or professional area
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge and identify and provide solutions to complex problems
3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to think critically and to generate and evaluate complex ideas
4. SKILLS Have specialised technical and creative skills in a field of highly skilled and/or professional practice
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concept
6. SKILLS Have communication skills to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to make high level, independent judgements in a range of technical or management functions in varied specialised contexts
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate broad functions within varied specialised technical and/or creative contexts
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for personal outputs and all aspects of the work or function of others within broad parameters
Course Structure

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete the core structure
Number of units: 25 Total credit points: 192

There are a number of units within this course that exceed the notional hours recommended by the Australian Qualifications Framework.

To be eligible to graduate with the Bachelor of Medical Sonography and Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography, students must complete the 25 core units (192 units of credit), including attendance at all compulsory laboratory activities / residential schools on their campus of admission, and completion of 2000 hours of clinical placement.To be eligible to attend clinical placement the student must successfully complete all preclinical health, safety and security requirements, including a clear criminal record check.

Year One includes compulsory attendance at residential schools at your campus of admission.

Year 1 - Term 1
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
BMSC11001 Human Body Systems 1
ESSC11004 Study and Research Skills for Health Science
MEDI11002 Physics for Health Sciences
MEDS11001 Fundamentals of Ultrasound Practice
Year 1 - Term 2
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
MEDI11004 Professional Practice
BMSC11002 Human Body Systems 2
MEDS11002 Relational Anatomy and Image Recognition

Students must apply for admission to the Australian Sonographers Accreditation Register as Student Sonographers during the 2nd year of the course prior to clinical placement. Please note that the external accreditation body sets a maximum course completion time of five years from student registration.

Extensive learning activity takes place in the clinical simulation laboratories during profession-specific units. Year 2, term 1 and 2, profession-specific units are run as internal units at the campus of admission. During term 1 and 2 students should expect to be on campus most days each week due to the number of labs and tutorials.

To ensure safe clinical practice technical skills, sonographic knowledge and professional behaviour must be maintained. To this end scanning skill development units and clinical units must be successfully and sequentially completed within twelve months of each other. In year two of the course MEDS12004 Sonographic Skills Development 1 must be successfully completed within twelve months of clinical placement for MEDS12007 Medical Sonography Clinical Course 1. Should this time limit have elapsed the student must successfully complete one (or more) technical skill. professional behaviour and diagnostic knowledge-based assessment (s), after a period of technical skill / knowledge revision, as determined by the discipline lead or designate.

Year 2 - Term 1
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
MEDS12002 Abdominal Ultrasound
MEDS12001 Physics of Ultrasound
MEDS12003 Superficial Structures in Ultrasound
MPAT12001 Medical Pathophysiology
Year 2 - Term 2
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
MEDS12004 Sonographic Skills Development 1
MEDS12006 Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Year 2 - Term 3
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
MEDS12007 Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 1

Extensive learning activity takes place in the clinical simulation laboratories during term 1 year 3 profession-specific units. These profession-specific are run as internal units on the campus of admission. You should expect to be on campus most days each week in term 1 due to the number of labs and tutorials.

To ensure safe clinical practice, technical skills, sonographic knowledge and professional behaviour must be maintained. To this end scanning skill development units and clinical units must be successfully and sequentially completed within twelve months of each other. In year three of the course MEDS13002 Sonographic Skills Development 2 must be successfully completed within twelve months of clinical placement for MEDS13006 Medical Sonography Clinical Course 2. Should this time limit have elapsed the student must successfully complete one (or more) technical skill, professional behaviour and diagnostic knowledge-based assessment (s), after a period of technical skill / knowledge revision, as determined by the discipline lead or designate.

Year 3 - Term 1
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
MEDS13007 Musculoskeletal Sonography
MEDS13001 Obstetric and Breast Ultrasound
MEDS13002 Sonographic Skills Development 2
MEDS13008 Vascular Sonography
Year 3 - Term 2
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
MEDS13006 Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 2
MEDS13009 Obstetric and Paediatric Sonography
MEDS13010 Quality Practice in Diagnostic Imaging

Please note: The units studied in Year 4 are at a Postgraduate level.

To ensure safe clinical practice, technical skills, sonographic knowledge and professional behaviour must be maintained. To this end scanning skill development units and clinical units must be successfully and sequentially completed within twelve months of each other. In year four of the course the year three prerequisite of MEDS13006 Medical Sonography Clinical Course 2 must be successfully completed within twelve months of clinical placement for Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 3; and Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 3 must be successfully completed within twelve months of clinical placement for Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 4. Should this time limit have elapsed the student must successfully complete one (or more) technical skill, professional behaviour and diagnostic knowledge-based assessment (s), after a period of technical skill / knowledge revision, as determined by the discipline lead or designate.

Year 4 - Term 1
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
MEDS21003 Medical Science Research Project 1
MEDS20016 Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 3
Year 4 - Term 2
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
MEDS20017 Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 4
MEDS21006 Medical Science Research Project 2

Clinical Placement:

Course years 2-4 include clinical placement. Students must satisfy specific pre-clinical health, safety, security and licensing requirements prior to each placement, and must disclose any condition that may put themselves or the public at significant risk whilst on placement. Due to limited availability of clinical placements, some block placements have start and/or end dates that fall outside standard term start and end dates. As placements are located throughout Australia and New Zealand and availability is limited in each community, students may be placed at locations that are not of their choosing. 100% attendance is required when undertaking clinical placement. Students must prepare financially and personally to relocate for placements, and are responsible for for the associated costs.In accordance with the course accreditation standards of the Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry students must achieve competency in a range of ultrasound scans which may require attending different clinical facilities.

Whilst on placement, students will perform sonographic scans on and provide hands-on care to people who may be ill or injured. Students will need to be physically fit, able to stand and walk for extended periods, lift, stretch, carry heavy loads and have sufficient visual acuity and contrast sensitivity to assess fine detail of images and perform safely in a range of lighting conditions. Students will undergo clinical assessments on performance of sonographic studies, professional behavioural and technical skills.

Clinical Simulation Laboratory Learning

Years 1 - 3 of the course include hands-on learning in the clinical simulation medical sonography laboratories on campus during most terms. Students must attend all laboratory activities, including residential schools, at their campus of admission. Students must demonstrate professional behaviours including regular attendance and meeting the course dress code during clinical simulation laboratory sessions. During simulations of ultrasound scans, all students will participate in role play as sonographer and patient. These essential learning activities will require partial removal of clothing to the level that is required for the simulation and will involve touching and being touched by peers. These simulation learning activities take place in a mixed gender environment, including the presence of male academic tutors. If a student is unable to participate, it may impact the student's ability to attain required skills and complete unit assessments.

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Unit Credit/Recognition of Prior Learning and Deferment

Credit for a unit may be granted to students who are able to demonstrate appropriate prior learning or experience. Credit is normally granted only for units satisfactorily completed in the last 2 years for clinical units and in the last 5 years for theoretical units at a recognised educational institution.

The normal maximum amount of credit which may be granted to a prospective student enrolling into the Bachelor of Medical Sonography course is 72 credit points - this is based on previously completed equivalent studies.

Refer to the Credit Transfer website at http://www.cqu.edu.au/credittransfer for further details on the guidelines and application process or contact your Course Advisor.

You can apply for direct credit against CQUniversity units, if equivalent tertiary level study has been completed. You must supply relevant documentation (study guides, unit profiles, etc) to do this. If your study was undertaken more than 5 years ago, you may not be eligible for credit.

Timeline on Course Completion

Students must apply for admission to the Register of Accredited Student Sonographers during the 2nd year of the course prior to the clinical placement in term 3. The external accreditation body (Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry) sets a MAXIMUM time that individuals may be on the ASAR Registry as a Student Sonographer of 5 years from the date of initial entry onto the registry. This requirement means that students must complete this course of study within 5 years from their student registration date (in second year) in order to qualify as an accredited Medical Sonographer.

Clinical Placement

Course years 2, 3 and 4 include clinical placement. Students must satisfy specific pre-clinical health, safety, security and licensing requirements prior to each placement, and must disclose any condition that may put themselves or the public at significant risk whilst on placement. It is a requirement that all students undertaking clinical placement in a health facility under go various checks which include:

  • First Aid Certificate
  • CPR Certificate
  • Immunisation Record
  • Hepatitis B Record
  • National Criminal Record Check
  • Working With Children Check

Students must apply for these checks as soon as they accept an offer to study within the course. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all the documentation is valid throughout progression in the Medical Sonography course. Further details are available in the Medical Sonography Portal on admission to the course.

 

Due to availability of placements, some block placements have start and finish dates which fall outside of the standard university term dates.

 

Please note: As placements are located throughout Australia and New Zealand, and availability is limited in each community, students may be located at placements which are not of their choosing and may be required to undertake interstate travel. Students are responsible for all associated travel and accommodation costs so must prepare financially and personally to relocate for clinical placements. When undertaking clinical placement,100% attendence is necessary due to external accreditation requirements. In association with the course accreditation standards of the Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry (ASAR) students must achieve competency in a range of ultrasound examinations which may require attending different clinical facilities. 

Campus Transfers

Strict quota limits apply to each campus due to teaching requirements associated with simulation laboratories. Internal transfers between campuses to Brisbane are not permitted via either an internal campus transfer or by submission of a QTAC application.  Current Bachelor of Medical Sonography/Graduate Diploma of Sonography students who apply via QTAC to study on Brisbane campus will have their applications at QTAC, for this preference, rejected.

Students wishing to transfer to Mackay, Sydney or Melbourne may apply directly to the Head of Course, with these applications opening on Census Date of Term 3 each year and closing on the December DE/SE Grades Release date each year (please refer to current Academic Calendar for dates). Second year places at these locations will be considered on a case by case basis, and only if the applicant meets the following requirements:

  • Successfully completed all Year 1 units, and
  • Provided proof of extenuating circumstances regarding the need to transfer.

Applications will only be considered if there is a place available in the simulation laboratories at the new campus, and students should be aware that submitting an application does not guarantee a transfer will be approved. Students will be notified if their transfer application has been approved or denied by the Head of Course, or designate, in the week following the University wide Christmas vacation closure (please refer to current Academic Calendar for dates).

Applications will not be considered from students who are currently still undertaking their first year of study within the course.

Deferment/Leave of Absence

Due to accreditation requirements, the Bachelor of Medical Sonography and Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography does not currently permit a deferment and/or Leave of Absence (LOA).

In order to meet accreditation requirements, students must be able to demonstrate continuous enrolment in this course. Students must enrol in all terms in which units are available to them, taking into account pre and co-requisite requirements.