Division of Radiation Therapy, Trinity College Dublin
www.medicine.tcd.ie/radiation_therapy
The Division of Radiation Therapy, Trinity College is based in the Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James’s Hospital Campus, Dublin 8.
Undergraduate Course
The undergraduate programme is a four-year course leading to the award of B.Sc. Honours in Radiation Therapy.
Course structure
The course is delivered in both the academic and the clinical setting. Integration between academic studies and clinical placement is supported by a continuing close liaison between college and clinical staff.
Subjects covered include:
Year 1: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Principles and Practice of Cancer Care 1, Research Methodology & Statistics
Year 2: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Principles and Practice of Cancer Care 2, Health Psychology, and Radiotherapy Physics, Research Methodology & Statistics
Year 3: Anatomy, Radiobiology, Principles and Practice of Cancer Care 3, Simulation - Radiotherapy Treatment Planning, Research Methodology & Statistics
Year 4: Principles and Practice of Cancer Care 4, Radiotherapy Treatment Planning Simulation. Students undertake a relevant research project in their final year.
Clinical Placement
Over the four years, a significant amount of time is spent on Clinical Placement in the Radiotherapy centres in Ireland in order for students to become proficient in clinical skills. Clinical placement will occur both during and outside term time. In the first year, the student will have an opportunity to become familiar with the hospital environment and the role of the Radiation Therapist. During subsequent years, students will develop the knowledge, skills, and professional attitude required to work as a competent Radiation Therapist on graduation.
Postgraduate Education
Masters through Research (MSc)
Candidates may obtain a masters degree through research alone, under the supervision of a staff member in the department. There is no taught element to this degree, however students are encouraged to attend courses on research methods and statistics.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
To gain PhD the student must complete a substantial independent and original piece of research. Virtually all students who seek to obtain a PhD and who have not previously obtained a Masters degree by research are placed initially on the Masters through research only register. If they make satisfactory progress on their research over the first year, they may then be permitted to transfer to the PhD register.
Short Courses
Introduction to the Research Process
A short course in Introduction to the Research Process is run annually and is open to any health professional.
Prostate Contouring Course
The Division offers an annual course in contouring of target volumes and Organs at risk for prostate cancer. This course is aimed at Radiation Therapists, but is equally applicable to new radiation oncology registrars, dosimetrists or physicists who work in radiotherapy treatment planning.
Radiobiology
A short course reviewing radiobiological principles is offered by the Division annually. This course also focuses on the radiobiological principles which underpin some of the clinical trials currently ongoing in radiotherapy departments nationwide.
Postgraduate Facilities
Postgraduate students in Radiation Therapy will have access to the health science library (John Stearne Library) at the Trinity Centre as well as other libraries on the main campus. Membership of the various University societies is open to postgraduate students, as are the sports. There is a dedicated post-graduate studies room within the department with a number of networked computers. Students will also have access to the computer laboratory that has the software applications required for virtual simulation and radiotherapy treatment planning in addition to statistical analysis software.
