RTS4000 - Physics and instrumentation 1

Leader: Dr Ray Budd

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2007 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit will instruct students in the areas of; introductory radiation protection, fundamentals of radiation physics and applied mathematics, radioactivity, production of X-rays, radiation detectors, interaction of radiation with matter, conventional radiographic equipment, radiographic imaging, kilovoltage X-ray equipment, the linear accelerator, radiotherapy simulators and portal imaging, quality assurance physics, radiation dose calculations and radiation dose distributions.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. understand the principles of radiation protection applicable to the medical use of ionising radiation;
2. understand the scientific concepts of atomic structure and radioactivity;
3. descibe the various types and sources of ionising radiation;
4. recognise and explain the operation of different types of radiation detectors;
5. demonstrate the appropriate use of selected radiation detectors;
6. explain the physical processes involved in the interaction of radiation with matter;
7. understand and explain the principles of radiographic image formation;
8. recognise and describe the basic design features and operating principles of radiation therapy equipment;
9. outline the quality assurance principles and techniques applicable to radiation therapy equipment; and
10. understand the distribution of radiation dose tissue and perform a range of radiation dose calculations.

Assessment

One written examination (three hours): 70%
Two assignments -1500 words each: 30%

Prerequisites

Admission into the Master of Radiation Therapy course

Co-requisites

RTS4010 and RTS4021