Bachelor of Sciences in Medical Radiography

The Perspective:
The role of a radiographer in tertiary and district hospitals is rapidly changing from that of
a simple technician to that of a team-member in the delivery of high quality health care.
Graduate Radiographers are increasingly being called upon by doctors to discuss results of
imaging examinations, for purposes of making a correct diagnosis.

The wider availability of new imaging modalities in the country and beyond has meant
increased time of contact between patients and radiographers.

The Department of Radiography, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health

Sciences, offers a Bachelors degree in Medical Radiography. The graduate attains either
Bachelor of Science in Medical Radiography (Diagnostic) or Bachelor of Science in Medical
Radiography (Therapy). Students choose one of the options to pursue in their 3 rd year.

The goal of the program is to;

Produce a broad-based Professional who can perform multiple tasks and cope with
recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic radiography
Develop a Professional, competent in the knowledge, skills and attitudes required
and who has gained experience in applying such skills in the appropriate work
context

The BMR Graduate:

A graduate of the Bachelor of Sciences in Medical Radiology is a radiological technologist

who has essential skills that are required for diagnostic imaging or radiation therapy
practice, including the following competencies:

1. Medical & Medical Imaging Knowledge

2. Clinical Skills and Patient Care
3. Critical inquiry and scientific method
4. Professionalism & Ethical practice
5. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
6. Leadership and Management Skills
7. Population Health
8. Continuous Improvement of Care through Reflective Practice
9. Health Systems Management
10. Use of Technology
11. Radiation Protection & Safety
The qualification enables the learner to competently apply an integration of theory,
principles, proven techniques, practical experiences and appropriate skills to the solution
of well defined and abstract challenges in the radiography and medical imaging field. The
leaner becomes a reflective practitioner and a life-long learner, thereby benefiting the
community. Management, leading and research skills are also demonstrated allowing the
graduate to work independently and also in a supervisory capacity within the health care
team.

Admission Requirements:

Direct Entry Scheme:

A candidate is eligible for admission into the program on meeting the following
minimum requirements.

The Uganda Certificate of Education (Ordinary level) or its equivalent

and;

Two principal passes in approved science subjects at the same sitting of the
Uganda Advanced certificate of Education Examination (Advanced level) or its
equivalent. The essential subjects are Biology and Physics. The relevant subjects
are one best done of Chemistry and Mathematics.

Diploma Entry Scheme:

A Diploma in Medical Radiography of Makerere University or its equivalent

Mature Age Entry Scheme:

Applicants must pass a Makerere University Mature Age Examination.

Degree Holders Entry Scheme:

Degree holders in Biomedical Sciences are considered for admission.

Program Duration:

This is a four-year program. Every academic year consists of two 17-week semesters and
one 10-week recess term except the final year, which has no recess term.

A semester shall be 17 weeks, 15 weeks for teaching and 2 weeks for examinations.
Program Structure:

Total intake is 20 students per year. Government avails funds for 10-15 students. The rest
are self-funded.

The program curriculum provides for student- centered learning, encourages critical
thinking and problem solving through Problem based learning (PBL). It advocates for
integration of learning experiences and is community oriented. It also includes non-
traditional subjects like management and communication.

All courses in the Programme are classified as Core Courses, therefore, students are
required to register for and pass all the Courses in the First and Second years. In the 3 rd and
4th year, students register for Courses either in Clinical Imaging or Radiation Therapy, but
not both. Clinical imaging involves the use of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation for
purposes of clinical diagnosis of disease while Radiation therapy is the use of ionizing
radiation for the treatment of disease.

Learning Methods:

Teaching is delivered through: Over-view lectures, Small group tutorials with a Tutor, Self-
directed study, Wrap-up seminars, Question and answer sessions, Skills training in the
skills lab, Assignments, practical and clinical sessions, question and answer sessions,
patient-based teaching, discussion groups, through portfolios, community based teaching
and ICT (e-learning).

Course Load:
For a student to be eligible for graduation and hence receive an Academic Transcript and
Certificate, he/she MUST have a total of 165 Credit Units (165 CU). Where;

1 Clinical hour = 1 contact hour

1 Lecture hour = 1 contact hour
2 Tutorial hours = 1 contact hour
2 Practical hours = 1 contact hour
2 Self study hours = 1 contact hour
1 Credit unit = 15 contact hours
 Course Outline:

YEAR 1
Semester I
Code Course LH Cl.H TH PH SH CH CU
CHS1101 Foundations of Health Professionals 10 10 30 20 60 75 5
Education
Physics of Imaging & Ionizing Radiation 10 10 30 40 70 75 5
HS1103 Anatomy of the Limbs 10 5 30 30 10 45 4
Radiography of the Axial, Appendicular 10 15 30 40 70 75 5
Skeleton, the Chest & Abdomen
RHS1105 Medical Imaging Equipment 5 5 20 10 10 30 2

Total 45 45 140 140 220 300 21

Semester II
Code Course LH Cl.H TH PH SH CH CU
Physiology & Biochemistry of 10 10 30 20 60 75 5
Cardiovascular and Respiratory systems
CHS1202 Anatomy of the trunk 15 5 30 30 50 75 5
CHS1203 Renal Physiology 5 5 20 10 10 30 2
HS1204 Physiology and Biochemistry of the GIT & 5 5 30 10 30 45 3
Metabolism
HS1205 Foundations of Behavioral Sciences 10 5 30 20 40 60 4
HS1206 Integrated Systemic Biology 5 5 20 10 10 30 2
Total 45 35 150 100 200 315 21

Recess Term
Code Course LH Cl.H TH PH SH CH CU
CHS1301 Principles of Public Health & Disease 5 10 30 30 30 60 4
Control
CHS1302 Principles of Health Communication 5 10 30 30 30 60 4
Total 10 20 60 60 60 120 8

YEAR 2
Semester I
Code Course LH Cl.H TH PH SH CH CU
CHS2101 Endocrine and Reproductive 10 5 30 20 40 60 4
Physiology
CHS2102 Anatomy of the Head and Neck 10 5 20 40 30 60 4
CHS2103 Anatomy and Physiology of the Central 10 10 30 20 60 75 5
Nervous System
CHS2104 Physiology of the Special Senses 5 5 20 10 10 30 2
RHS2105 Pathology for Radiographers 5 30 40 40 40 75 5

Total 40 55 140 130 180 300 20

 Semester II
Code Course LH Cl.H TH PH SH CH CU
RHS2201 Clinical Ultrasound of the Abdomen 5 30 40 40 70 75 5
RHS2202 Radiation Protection & Public 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
Health
RHS2203 Radiological Informatics 10 10 30 30 30 45 3
HS2204 Research Methods & Community 5 10 30 30 30 60 4
Diagnosis
CHS2205 Nutrition & Health 5 10 30 30 30 60 4
30 90 160 170 230 315 21

Recess Term
Code Course LH CI.H TH PH SH CH CU
RHS2301 Pharmacology for Radiographers 5 10 10 30 30 60 4

RHS2302 Equipment Maintenance & Servicing 5 10 10 30 30 60 4

Total 10 20 20 60 60 120 8

YEAR 3 IMAGING (EITHER)

Semester I
Code Course LH CI.H TH PH SH CH CU
Radiographic Anatomy & Technique 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
RHS3102 Radiographic Pattern Recognition of 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
Chest and Abdomen
RHS3103 Radiographic Pattern Recognition of 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
Axial-appendicular skeleton
Total 15 90 90 120 210 225 15

Semester II
LH CI.H TH PH SH CH CU
Obstetrical Ultrasound 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
RHS3202 Gynaecological Ultrasound 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
RHS3203 Nuclear Medicine 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
Total 15 90 90 120 210 225 15

Recess Term (Elective Courses)

Code Course LH CI.H TH PH SH CH CU
RHS3301 Leadership and Management 5 20 10 50 20 60 4
RHS3302 Application of Radiation Protection 5 20 10 50 20 60 4
Principles
RHS3303 Quality Assurance in Medical Imaging 5 20 10 50 20 60 4
RHS 3304 Application of Radiographic techniques 5 20 10 50 20 60 4
RHS3305 Practice in Fluoroscopy 5 20 10 50 20 60 4
RHS3306 Ultrasound Practice 5 20 10 50 20 60 4
RHS3307 Therapy Practice 5 20 10 50 20 60 4
RHS3308 Practice in Clinical CT and MRI 5 20 10 50 20 60 4
 RHS3309 Nuclear Medicine Practice 5 20 10 50 20 60 4

YEAR 4 IMAGING
Semester I
Code Course LH CI.H TH PH SH CH CU
Research proposal development 10 0 40 40 40 75 5
Ultrasound of small parts, neonatal 5 30 40 40 70 75 5
brain & Echo-cardiography
HS4103 Principles of Health Service 10 0 40 40 40 75 5
Management & Entrepreneurship
OM4104 Medical Ethics, Human Rights & 10 5 10 10 10 30 2
Professionalism
Total 35 35 130 130 160 255 17

Semester II
Code Course LH CI.H TH PH SH CH CU
Clinical CT & MRI 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
RHS4202 Special Radiological Procedures 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
RHS4203 Research project 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
Total 15 90 90 120 210 225 15

OR YEAR 3 THERAPY

Semester I
Code Course LH CI.H TH PH SH CH CU
Radiotherapy Physics & Simulation 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
RHS3105 Therapy equipment & Technique 5 30 30 40 70 75 5

RHS3106 Radiobiology & Oncology I 5 30 30 40 70 75 5

Total 15 90 90 120 210 225 15

Semester II
Code Course LH CI.H TH PH SH CH CU
RHS3203 Nuclear Medicine 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
Principles & practices of Radiotherapy 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
RHS3205 Radiotherapy and Patient Care 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
Total 15 90 90 120 210 225 15

Recess Term (Elective Courses)

Code Course LH CI.H TH PH SH CH CU
RHS3301 Leadership and Management 5 20 10 50 20 60 4
RHS3302 Application of Radiation Protection 5 20 10 50 20 60 4
Principles
RHS3303 Quality Assurance in Medical Imaging 5 20 10 50 20 60 4
RHS3304 Application of Radiographic techniques 5 20 10 50 20 60 4
 RHS3305 Practice in Fluoroscopy 5 20 10 50 20 60 4
RHS3306 Ultrasound Practice 5 20 10 50 20 60 4
RHS3307 Therapy Practice 5 20 10 50 20 60 4
RHS3308 Practice in Clinical CT and MRI 5 20 10 50 20 60 4
RHS3309 Nuclear Medicine Practice 5 20 10 50 20 60 4

YEAR 4 THERAPY
Semester I
Code Course LH CI.H TH PH SH CH CU
Research proposal development 10 0 40 40 40 75 5
RHS4103 Principles of Health Service 10 0 40 40 40 75 5
Management & Entrepreneurship
RHS4105 Advanced Therapy Technique 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
SOM4104 Medical Ethics, Human Rights & 10 5 10 10 10 30 2

Professionalism
Total 35 35 120 130 160 255 17

Semester II
Code Course LH CI.H TH PH SH CH CU
RHS4201 Clinical CT & MRI 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
Radiobiology & Oncology II 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
RHS4203 Research project 5 30 30 40 70 75 5
Total 15 90 90 120 210 225 15

Assessment:
There is Formative/Progressive assessment during the Semester as well as Summative
assessment at the end of the Semester.

Formative assessment contributes 40% to the final total mark and includes:
a) Continuous assessment during all the tutorials. This permits immediate feedback.
b) A Progressive written examination through MCQs, essays, short-answer questions
c) Progressive practical exams like mini-CEX, short perceptor sessions, IPAs.

Summative assessment contributes 60% to the final total mark and includes:
MCQs, essays, short-answer questions, Objective Structure Clinical Examination (OSCE),
Objective Structure Practical Examination (OSPE), Oral exams, Portfolio-based oral exams
etc.

Teaching and Learning Resources:

The Department of Radiology has access to all teaching and Learning resources available at
the College including, Library facilities, Tutorial rooms, lecture rooms, Computer labs and
internet hubs, Content experts, teaching hospital, ICT facilities, imaging equipment, skills
lab and Community teaching sites.
Fees and Finances:
Tuition Fees - UGX 1,344,000

Application Fees – UGX 20,000

Late Registration- UGX 50,000

Examination Fees- UGX 20,000

Please Note:
1. Application fees are paid at the time of collection of application forms
2. University fees (i.e. Registration, Administration, and Library, Examination, and
Tuition fees) must be paid to the University before registration.
3. Graduation, Certificate, Convocation and Academic Transcript fees are paid on
completion of the course.
4. University fees may be paid in form of cash or Bank draft to Makerere
University Council.
5. Non-Ugandans may pay fees in US Dollar equivalent to Uganda Shillings.
6. The student may be government sponsored, Aid agency sponsored or self-
sponsored.
7. Other requirements like books, stationary & materials, accommodation, food,
research expenses, etc; the sponsor should pay directly to the Student
8. The funds for research are paid to the student at the beginning of the research
Project.

Employment Opportunities: