The Diagnostic Imaging course, a part of the Post Graduate Foundation Distance Education Program, provides veterinarians with the opportunity to extend their skills and knowledge in a variety of diagnostic imaging topics with the flexibility of studying via coordinated external learning.

The majority of your study can be completed in your practice and at home, catering for the busy practitioner. This course is available to all veterinarians, regardless of their location, age or background, who have the desire to develop or refresh their knowledge in diagnostic imaging. In the past, veterinarians have chosen to study this course to challenge themselves, to gain important knowledge to help with preparations for membership exams to the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists, or to facilitate a high level of quality service to their clients. By completing this course, you can become a more confident and competent veterinarian.

Learning in this course comes from a number of sources. Each month, you will be expected to complete one module of course work. This will involve reading expertly prepared notes and references. This is supplemented with radiographs and other images. You will be expected to complete various exercises including case studies and assignments. Upon their return to the PGF, they will be assessed by your tutors and returned to you. This expert feedback provides you with a tremendously valuable learning experience.

Key Benefits

At the completion of this course you can expect to have:

• Reviewed your entire radiographic set-up and made several technique charts for use in the practice.
• Received critical review of the radiographs that are taken during the course.
• Viewed over 1500 radiographic images depicting normal radiographic anatomy and radiographic pathology.
• Written over 90 reports on case studies.
• Completed at least 10 assignments.
• Provided nine case studies using your own radiographs.

Methodology

• Course material will be posted to you regularly, beginning in January. For your convenience, you will receive all course material on CD, ensuring that you do not have to 'log on' to access the material. The modules will contain most of the information required to complete the course. You may find it useful to consult the recommended reading list for any additional information required.
  
  
• The modules will contain notes and other material that you will work through. There will be regular assignments that you must complete online and others that you return to the PGF. Your tutors will assess these assignments and return them with valuable feedback. There are no traditional examinations or assessments for this subject.
  
  
• Some assignments are to be submitted via the mail, while others via our online course delivery system called WebCT. This is a user-friendly system that will give you access to course information as well as enabling you to communicate with the tutor and other course participants. You will be given an individual account once you register for this course and full assistance if you encounter any difficulties. Computer requirements for this subject are contained later in this document.
  
  
• It is anticipated that you will need to spend around eight to ten hours per week studying the course material. You must be able to dedicate this amount of time to get the most out of the program.
  
  
• There will be three live workshops held during the year at a location most suitable to all course participants. They will give you the opportunity to meet the tutors and other course participants and also to raise any questions that you have about the course content. These workshops are a valuable element of the course, however they are not compulsory.
  
  
• On completion of all ten modules, you will receive a certificate of completion from the Post Graduate Foundation that recognises your achievement.

POST GRADUATE FOUNDATION IN VETERINARY SCIENCE