Radiopharmaceutics & PET Radiochemistry

Daniel
UK
Radiopharmaceutics & PET Radiochemistry MSc

With a background in chemistry and an interest in medical imaging, the MSc in Radiopharmaceutics & PET Radiochemistry was the obvious choice for me, giving me the chance to not only experience a whole new area of chemistry that is rarely taught at undergraduate level, but also to learn about the underlying physics and biochemistry required to become an imaging scientist.

The availability of funding for the programme was an added bonus, and the links between the Department of Imaging Sciences at King's and a number of hospital departments and external industrial organisations have provided the opportunity to undertake work experience as part of the programme and the chance to meet potential employers.

After this programme, I hope to continue in the field, putting the knowledge and experience I have gained during my time at King's to use in the research and development of novel radiotracers. I believe that the MSc will provide a sound basis in radiochemistry and radiopharmacy for anyone considering a career in this rapidly expanding area of imaging science.

Kofi
Ghana
Radiopharmaceutics & PET Radiochemistry MSc
King's College London is the first institution to offer this programme in the UK. King's has the reputation of being one of the best universities in my chosen field of study and offers excellent tutoring and readily accessible research material. Being situated in central London, transportation to and from other parts of the city poses no problem.
Activities I have found most beneficial as part of my entire course, have been the excursions to major sites and the experience gained through placement.
I am lucky that my study at King's has been funded by my lovely parents and after my MSc course I intend putting my experience and knowledge gained to good use in one of the many nuclear medicine departments being set up in all the major hospitals in my home country.
To those considering study at this prestigious College and more so to those considering a second degree or PhD in radiopharmacy, radiochemistry or other studies, I would say King's is one of the leaders in higher education and in this field. The prospects of this course are high and more importantly its impact on medicine is and will continue to be incredibly valuable.

Phil Blower
Radiopharmaceutics & PET Radiochemistry MSc
This programme is a world first and is unique in leading to a Masters qualification in this field. It aims to train graduate chemists and pharmacists to become radiochemists and radiopharmacists, key roles needed in the emerging medical imaging specialities, such as PET, that are now becoming so important in healthcare. We set up the programme because of our own difficulties in recruitment: people with the necessary specialist skills are all too often lost down the 'brain drain' to highly paid jobs abroad.
The programme is taught on the doorstep of the Clinical PET Imaging Centre at St Thomas' Hospital, and students gain experience of radiochemistry and radiopharmacy there and at other hospitals and industrial nuclear medicine/PET centres in London and further afield.
The programme is highly interdisciplinary and is taught by chemists, physicists,
pharmacists, biologists and clinicians, all of whom are active professionals in research or clinical service in the field. The qualification can lead to work in hospitals, commercial cyclotron centres, or to PhD research opportunities. It is a mark of the importance of these skills to modern medicine that studentships and bursaries are available for this course funded by EPSRC, Cancer Research UK, the British Nuclear Medicine Society, and major international medical imaging companies.