Degree Programme in Radiography: PRÖNTS15

Descriptions

PROGRAMME
Clinical radiography/radiography and radiotherapy

DEGREE
The professional title of graduates from the Degree Programme in Radiography and Radiotherapy is Bachelor of Health Care is Radiographer.

EXTENT OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME
The total extent of the degree is 210 credits which translate into 3.5 years of full-time studies.

STUDY OBJECTIVES
After graduation you are able to work in health centers and hospitals and private medical centers X-ray, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy departments as a radiographer. The main goal is that you learn to master the radiography imaging and treatment methods safety.

STRUCTURE OF STUDIES AND STUDY CONTENTS
Studies in the Degree Programme in Radiography and Radiotherapy consist of

basic sudies 35 ECTS
professional studies 65 ECTS,
practical training 75 ECTS
Bachelor’s thesis 20 ECTS and
optional studies 15 ECTS.
It is the goal of thebasic studiesto ensure that students receive readiness to fully benefit from the opportunities offered by a multi-field higher education community in their studies and acquire the linguistic skills prescribed by the Decree on Polytechnics (352/2003 §8). The objective of the basic studies is to create a solid basis for responsible and entrepreneurial work, for lifelong learning and professional growth, and to strengthen the communicative and interaction skills of the students. The basic studies are integrated as part of the professional studies.

Professional studies are an entity of studies in which the course units are based on the central imaging and treatment methods used in radiography and radiotherapy, and on the core competences needed in them (European Qualifications Framework Benchmarking Document: Radiographers by European Federation of Radiographer Societies). Parts of the professional studies are implemented as common studies in the health care field. In the professional studies, students form a conception of human beings and health, of meeting the patient and of the essential health problems and their treatment from the point of view of radiography and radiotherapy. An essential goal is that the students learn to master the imaging and treatment methods used in radiography and radiotherapy as well as the safe use of radiation pertaining to them. The degree programme studies in Radiography and Radiotherapy include studies in the safe use of radiation (Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Decree on the Medical Use of Radiation 423/2000, Radiation Safety instruction 1.7). The professional studies also include studies in the organising, leadership and development of radiography and radiotherapy work.

The studies includepractical trainingenhancing professional skills during several terms, during which students deepen their knowledge and skills in radiography and radiotherapy in different operational environments. The practice is implemented both in classroom situations and in the imaging and radiotherapy units of health centres, hospitals and private health care providers.

As optional studiesstudents can choose course which support their professional growth and deepen and extend their knowledge and skills in radiography and radiotherapy. The optional studies can be chosen from the common studies at Turku University of Applied Sciences, from the field-specific studies, degree programme studies or the studies offered by other higher education institutions

THESIS
Students plan their Bachelor’s thesis (15 credits) as pair or teamwork, in which they specialise on working life oriented development needs in radiography and radiotherapy, and pose as well as solve development assignments or research problems in accordance with the development needs. In their thesis, students demonstrate their abilities in using research-based thinking and knowledge which is essential to radiography and radiotherapy, and an ability to critically assess the knowledge pertaining to it.

The Bachelor’s thesis can be either applied research or a development task or a concrete product. The thesis incorporates a maturity test, in which students demonstrate their skills in Finnish or Swedish and their knowledge in the topic area of their thesis.

EVALUATION AND FEEDBACK
The most important goal of the assessment in the degree programme of Radiography and Radiotherapy is to guide and support the student’s learning. With the help of assessment, students get feedback from other students, their practice supervisors and their teachers on their own learning. The self-evaluation of students is also essential. Assessment partly controls and party guides the students to adopt the means and methods of radiography and radiotherapy work which they will be using in their future profession. The evaluation is based on the objectives defined in the curricula and implementation plans as well as on the student’s personal goals. In addition to the final assessment, an important object of the evaluation is the student’s learning process. By the use versatile assessment methods the student is supported in developing a diverse knowledge and skills basis for radiography and radiotherapy work. In addition to written and oral exams the student’s knowledge and skills are evaluated by for instance demonstrations and essays. The assessment criteria are course unit specific and will be announced at the beginning of the course unit. The evaluation of the course unit is carried out by the teacher(s) of the course unit and it is recorded in the study register. The assessment scale in evaluation is 0-5. In addition, qualitative evaluation is also used. Feedback aiding the development of the degree programme and the teaching is collected from students both per course unit and per term.

INTERNATIONALIZATION
International activities in the degree programme in Radiography and Radiotherapy are focused on the implementation of student and faculty exchange in the Erasmus exchange programmes. Radiographer students can complete part of their studies abroad at higher education institutes committed to exchange study agreements. The teaching for incoming exchange students to the degree programme are implemented as part of the professional studies in the degree programme together with radiographer students and the language of instruction is English

The degree programme in Radiography and Radiotherapy works in collaboration with other universities of applied sciences in Finland which implement radiographer education and with the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. In order to maintain and develop the versatile learning environment for students the degree programme co-operates with the imaging and radiotherapy units in the area. The objectives of the common studies in the faculty of Health Care are client-orientation, basing the activities on best possible evidence, and economy.

Studies taught in English which students in the faculty can choose from: 1) students can choose 15 credits from the Degree Programme in Nursing as common studies at the faculty of Health Care or 2) students can participate in international student exchange and complete 18 credits abroad or 3) students can choose optional studies taught in English at TUAS from the common optional studies. The degree programme may also have required course units or parts of them taught in English.In conjunction with the professional studies, students follow the national and international development in radiography and radiotherapy and adopt the ability to continuously develop their own professional competence

POSSIBLE JOBTITLES AFTER GRADUATION
Radiographer

POSTGRADUATE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
The education provides qualification for further studies for level 7 (NQF / EQF).