MEDIMAGE 729 : Theranostics
Medical and Health Sciences
2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course aims to provide students with specialised theoretical knowledge and an understanding of the principles of theranostics. The student will develop the ability to apply this knowledge in the safe use of theranostics for clinical and/or research purposes in selected pathologies. In addition, a critically questioning approach to theranostics in Nuclear Medicine and molecular imaging practice will be cultivated.
The course is delivered fully online by distance via the University of Auckland’s learning management system ‘Canvas’. It incorporates a range of learning approaches including videos, webpages, links to the library databases and resources, and utilising online technologies to promote shared learning opportunities. Academic learning is expected to inform clinical practice and enhance levels of clinical competency.
This course is compulsory for the PGDipHSc(Nuclear Medicine) programme from 2025. Students enrolled in the PGDipHSc/PGCertHSc (Medical Imaging) programmes may also choose this course to contribute 15 points towards the MEDIMAGE/CLINIMAG point requirements. The course is also suitable to be undertaken as a one-off course (Certificate of Proficiency) for registered Nuclear Medicine Technologists for their Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Departmental approval is required for all other students and a concession request must be submitted when applying to enrol in this course. Access to a clinical nuclear medicine department is highly recommended.
Course Contacts
Capabilities Developed in this Course
Capability 1: | People and Place |
Capability 2: | Sustainability |
Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
Capability 6: | Communication |
Capability 7: | Collaboration |
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the fundamental theoretical concepts and principles underpinning theranostics in Nuclear Medicine. (Capability 3)
- Critically discuss bio-effects, patient care and safety issues within the theranostic environment, evaluating underlying physical principles and how these are applied for safe clinical practice. (Capability 2, 3 and 4)
- Evaluate the role of imaging in the theranostics pathway. (Capability 3 and 5)
- Demonstrate an understanding of of the multi-disciplinary team in theranostics. (Capability 6 and 7)
- Critically analyse the design, establishment and continued operation of a theranostics service. (Capability 2, 4 and 5)
- Make informed clinical judgements with regard to the selection of radiopharmaceuticals and patient management in relation to theranostics. (Capability 1, 3 and 4)
Assessments
Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
---|---|---|
Assignment | 40% | Individual Coursework |
Discussion | 25% | Individual Coursework |
Presentation | 35% | Individual Coursework |
3 types | 100% |
Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |||||
Assignment | ||||||||||
Discussion | ||||||||||
Presentation |
Workload Expectations
Following University workload guidelines, a standard 15-point course represents approximately 150 hours of study. This equates to approximately 12 hours per week and may be broken down as follows:
- Set readings relevant to Theranostics in Nuclear Medicine (40 hours)
- Other resources provided on Canvas e.g. videos, websites (10 hours)
- Assignments and self-directed learning (100 hours)
Delivery Mode
Online
The course may include live online events including tutorials and these will be recorded.
Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
There are no required textbooks for this course. Students will be directed to a large selection of readings and other resources that will be able to be accessed online via Canvas and the Philson Library databases.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
The course will be offered for the first time in 2025, therefore no previous SET evaluation is available.
Other Information
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Postgraduate courses do not have a class representative; instead, they have programme/specialisation representatives who can take feedback to the Medical Imaging Board of Studies. Contact details for the Medical Imaging Postgraduate Student Representatives may be found in the 'Medical Imaging Programme Information' on Canvas.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.