RAD2003 - Medical imaging science: Nuclear medicine - 2019

This unit is designed to provide students with the requisite knowledge and understanding of the scientific and technological principles associated with the practice underpinning Nuclear Medicine.

Students will explore the topics of radiopharmacy, nuclear medicine physics and instrumentation techniques and procedures and care of the patient in the nuclear medicine department. Students will also be introduced to the role of hybrid imaging in medical radiation practice.

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

1. Describe basic principles of radiation protection with regard to the use of unsealed sources justifying the need for a regulatory framework governing their use
2. Explain the characteristics of radiopharmaceuticals used diagnostic imaging and for therapeutic purposes;
3. Describe and explain physical principles and instrumentation used in nuclear medicine in the context of image acquisition, quality control and radiopharmaceutical administration techniques
4. Evaluate the usefulness of nuclear medicine procedures/techniques in the context of specific patient diagnoses and communicate these findings to their peers
5. Identify patient contra-indications to nuclear medicine procedures
6. Describe hybrid imaging and discuss its application and advantages in medical radiation practice

NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 1 hour and 10 minutes.

• Secure online Exam (1 hour) (30%)
• Written research report (3,000 words) (45%)
• Technical report (1,500 words) (25%)

Students must pass each element of assessment to pass the unit, which means that students will have to put the same amount of effort into all assessment elements.

1. Two hour masterclass in weeks 4, 8 and 12
2. Onsite or online zoom tutorials with an expert nuclear medicine practitioner as arranged during the semester
3. Three hours of teacher - directed interaction with Moodle based tasks per week
4. Students will be expected to engage in additional 6 hours of self-directed learning each week to facilitate the appropriate level of knowledge of the topics covered in the unit.

See also Unit timetable information

Radiography and medical imaging

Radiation sciences