Overview Nuclear medicine is a branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive compounds, known as radiopharmaceuticals, to diagnose and provide therapy to patients. Radiopharmaceutical practitioners are responsible for creating the radiopharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine. The practice of nuclear medicine detects functional abnormalities in heart disease; many cancers; gastrointestinal, endocrine and neurological disorders; as well as many others within the body. It enables the visualisation of chemistry in vivo, as it is happening. This course developed in collaboration with professional radiopharmaceutical scientists will provide you with the knowledge and skills required for a rewarding career in the field of diagnostic and therapeutic medicine. KEY FEATURES You'll be introduced to the use and application of radiation in medicine, including the production of radionuclides. You'll have opportunities to independently perform many common analytical techniques covering the application of chemistry to medicine. You'll develop an advanced understanding of the necessary requirements for gaining accreditation of the laboratories you'll work in, and control processes therein. This course is ideally suited to those with a chemistry, pharmacy or biomolecular sciences background. ACCREDITATION The program is part of the pathway to professional certification through ACPSEM. SUITABLE FOR Students in the program are likely to have come from an undergraduate degree in chemistry or related field and will be looking to specialise in this growing field of chemistry; or possibly will have been working in the field of radiopharmaceutical science and are looking to upgrade their knowledge and skills and to achieve certification through the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM), the body which provides professional certification for Radiopharmaceutical Scientists. Career Opportunities PROFESSIONS All work requiring medical laboratory specialist management and supervision. Career Options Both in Australia and globally, radiopharmaceutical science is a rapidly expanding field and there is strong demand for qualified professionals in a wide variety of areas including: Radiopharmaceutical scientist in hospitals or commercial radiopharmacies Research radiopharmaceutical scientist in pharmaceutical companies and universities Production radiopharmaceutical scientist Regulatory affairs specialist Working in patient care or medical research Radionuclide production in reactors and cyclotrons Jobs in translational medicine - translating medical research into patient treatment Medicinal chemistry Agriculture Environmental monitoring