Degree Awarded: BSc. Biomedical Radiation Science
Programme offered by: Faculties of Science and Technology (primary), Medical Sciences and Engineering
Duration of Study: 3 years (full-time)
Total Credit Load: 96 credits
In addition to fulfilling general requirements for admission into the Faculties of Science and Technology, applicants must have CAPE Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or equivalent qualifications.
The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Radiation Science is designed to provide fundamental and advanced discourse and practice in relation to safe use of radiation technology in medicine, industry and science. This 3-year programme is structured so that during the first year students are exposed to introductory courses in radiation physics. In the second year, application of radiopharmaceuticals, occupational health, radiation protection and safety are discussed and demonstrated. In the final year, biomedical research practices in radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging, radiochemistry and nuclear reactor are applied. The programme incorporates new courses and existing courses and offers 27 credits at Level 1; 33 credits at Level 2; 27 credits at Level 3 and 9 credits of Foundation courses. The programme will be implemented using expertise across the Faculties of Science and Technology, Medical Sciences and Engineering and through blended offer will allow for access across the four University Campuses and consistent with The UWI Triple-A Strategy.
Currently, there is a B.Sc. in Diagnostic Imaging (Radiography) offered in the Faculty of Medical Sciences; a B.Sc. in Medical Physics offered by the Faculty of Science and Technology at Mona; a B.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering at The UWI Mona Faculty of Engineering; a Bachelor of Applied Science in Biomedical Engineering at The University of Trinidad and Tobago; and a B.Sc. in Biomedical Technology offered by the Department of Physics and Faculty of Medical Sciences at The UWI St. Augustine. There is no programme for nuclear medicine and radiation physics at the undergraduate level. This programme will fulfill the need for qualified personnel specialised in application of physics concepts and procedures in medical diagnostics and treatment, quality control of radiation facilities as well as radiation safety and protection for staff and patients. This need has been indicated in meetings with local health professionals in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the University Hospital of the West Indies and in partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that has provided human resources for development of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to meet the need for radiation physics, nuclear application and diagnostic imaging competencies at country and regional levels. The programme will provide graduates equipped to work as Radiation Safety Officers in industries using radiation (e.g. in relation to bauxite production, cement manufacturing, petroleum refineries) and will serve as one of the programme prerequisites for the Postgraduate Diploma / M.Sc. in Medical Physics or Clinical Medical Physics.
The BSc. in Biomedical Radiation Science consists of the following courses:
| YEAR 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credits | Semester 2 | Credits |
| PHYS1411 - Mechanics | 3 | PHYS1422 - Modern Physics | 3 |
| STAT1001 - Statistics for Science | 3 | DIMA1003 - Introduction to Medical Imaging Modalities | 3 |
| BAMS1010 - Introduction to Anatomy and General Histology and Embryology | 3 | PHYS2200 - Practices in Medical Physics 1 | 3 |
| DIMA1011 - Radiation Protection, Radiation Biology and Dosimetry | 3 | ||
| DIMA1004 - Medical Law and Ethics | 2 | BMNG1210 - Introduction to Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
|
FOUN1014 - Critical Reading and Writing OR FOUN1019 - Critical Reading and Writing in the Disciplines |
3 | ||
| Total Credits | 14 | Total Credits | 15 |
| YEAR 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credits | Semester 2 | Credits |
| CHEM1820 - Introductory Chemistry II | 2 | CHEM1910 - Introductory Chemistry III | 2 |
| OESH3220 - Occupational Hygiene | 4 | BAMS2000 - Medical uses of Radiopharmaceuticals | 3 |
| PHYS2299 - Radiation Protection, Safety and Regulations | 3 | DIMA2011 - Research Methodology | 2 |
| OESH3100 | 4 | PHYS2296 - Physics of the Human Body | 3 |
|
Electives PHYS2386 - Electromagnetism and Optics OR PHYS2351 - Quantum Mechanics and Nuclear Physics OR PHYS2396 - Computer Applications in Physics OR PHYS3400 - Physics in Practice Internship * |
3 | FOUN1301 - Law, Governance, Economy and Society | 3 |
| DIMA2008 - Radiographic Equipment and Maintenance | 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | Total Credits | 16 |
| YEAR 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credits | Semester 2 | Credits |
| STAT2002 - Discrete Statistics | 3 | PHYS3312 - Modern Radiotherapy Physics | 3 |
| CAIHR3XXX - Stable Isotopes in Medicine | 3 | PHYS3399 - Non-Electronics Research Project | 4 |
| PHYS3401 - Special topics in Biomedical Radiation Science | 3 | DIMA2012 - Seminars | 1 |
| PHYS3300 - Practices in Medical Physics II | 3 | PHYS3389 - Medical Radiation Physics and Imaging | 3 |
| FOUN1101 - Caribbean Civilization | 3 | CHEM2810 - Radiochemistry | 3 |
|
Electives CHEM2402 - Chemistry in our Daily Life OR PHYS2701 - Essentials of Renewable Energy Technologies and Solutions |
3 | PHYS2424 - Reactor Applications in Medicine | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | Total Credits | 17 |
| Total Programme Credits | 96 | ||
*May be completed in the summer of year 3.
Our 7 faculties and 12 professional schools offer more than 200 programmes to some 18,000 graduate, undergraduate and continuing studies students.
The UWI, Mona ranks first in Jamaica among accredited tertiary-level programmes. In 2012, the University was again one of Jamaica’s Top 100 Employers.
