About New Zealand Certificate In Study And Career Preparation (level 4) (medical Imaging Pathway) in Unitec Institute of Technology

Programme overview

If you're aspiring to study medical imaging at a tertiary level, but don't have the entry requirements, consider studying UCOL's New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) (Medical Imaging Pathway). Note that completion of this programme does not guarantee entry or provide preferential entry into the degree programme.

You'll sharpen your study skills, improve your written and oral communication, and gain foundation knowledge of medical imaging technology. Numeracy skills relevant to health and science are covered, as well as background theory and practice in biology, microbiology, physics and chemistry. 

This course is ideal for those who are returning to study, and wish to revise their health, physics and maths knowledge before embarking on the three yearBachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology) degree. It will be suitable for: 

• People under the age of 20 years and who have not achieved University Entrance
• People under the age of 20 who have University Entrance, but who did not do science subjects and want to study health science based courses before applying for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology) degree programme
• People over the age of 20 who have not studied for some time and want to undertake some health science based courses before they apply for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology) degree programme to refresh their study skills.

Course Information

UCOL's New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) (Medical Imaging Pathway) covers a variety of subjects that will equip you with academic skills for higher-level study in Medical Imaging and is comprised of the following papers:

Skills for Academic Study Level 4

In this course you will discover the best way for you to learn in the health sciences area. Topics cover skills considered essential for health science students and include aspects of learning, exam and test preparation, time management, research skills, written and oral communication as well as interview and CV preparation. Classes will include work in a PC computer laboratory.  You will research a health condition, infection or disease that is caused by a microorganism and present this information both in a written essay and oral presentation. You will also create a professional health portfolio, which includes interviewing a health professional and researching the history, academic pathway, professional associations and the significance of this health profession for future health care in New Zealand.

Applied Maths Level 4

Students will acquire and practice numeracy skills relevant to Medical Imaging. This will include physics calculations and problem solving, which will cover metric conversions, algebra simultaneous and quadratic equations. You will also look at determining physics concepts from experimental data. Statistics is a key part of understanding health related data so you will learn to create and interpret graphs, and understand basic statistics from selected health data.

Human Body and Microbes (Essentials of Human Body and Microbial Science)

Students will examine the structure and function of the human body and prepare a poster to demonstrate their knowledge. The main body systems are covered in more detail and laboratory classes will enable a closer look, especially at the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. You will explore the area of microbiology and investigate selected microorganisms, including beneficial, harmful and opportunistic effects on human health. Laboratory classes will work with real bacteria and highlight biohazard safety protocols. Genetics and inheritance introduce how cells replicate, can make mistakes, and produce the mutants we all are, thus connecting the chemistry of the body to inheritable diseases.

Chemistry and Cell Biology (Essentials of Cell Biology and Chemistry)

Students will review basic principles of chemistry including bonding, chemical formulae and chemical equations including respiration and ATP synthesis. You will explore the properties of acids and buffers to introduce how the chemistry in our blood works to keep our metabolism functioning correctly and what happens when it does not. The basics of biochemistry are covered including the interpretation of chemical structures including alcohols and natural acids. You will also look at the function of organic molecules such as carbohydrates, nucleic acids and lipids and their role in biological systems. In cell biology you will investigate the basic structure and function for the parts of a cell then expand that knowledge to tissue type, and how molecules can enter, move around, and exit the cell. All of these topics will include theory classes and laboratory investigations.

Career Options

Successful completion of this programme satisfies the University Entrance requirements to apply for UCOL's Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology).  
Completion of this course does not guarantee entry or provide preferential entry into the UCOL's Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology) degree programme.  

Academic qualification equivalents

• Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS    :    Score of 5.5 with no band lower than 5
• TOEFL  :    Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14)
• PTE       :    Score of 36 with no band less than 36

Unitec Institute of Technology Tuition Fees

New Zealand Living Expenses

In addition to your tuition and insurance fees, you will need between $20,000 and $25,000 per year ($380–480 per week) for accommodation/rent, food expenses, transportation costs, phone bills, internet usage and entertainment. No matter what your tuition or course fee is, the average living expense will be same for everyone. Please note that these amounts are just recommendations, Immigration New Zealand requirement is $15,000 per year plus return airfare or additional $2,000.