Unit details

PHYS5403 Radiotherapy Physics

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Content

Students gain an understanding of the origins of ionising radiation, how radiation is detected and measured, and learn about the equipment used to measure radiation. The basic principles of radiotherapy methods and equipment are explored and an understanding of clinical beams, dosimetry, treatment planning, quality assurance and radiotherapy techniques are developed.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate understanding of the origins of ionising radiation and its interaction with matter; (2) describe the principles of detection and accurate measurement of radiation; (3) understand the fundamental principles underlying basic radiation measurement instruments and describe how to use these instruments to measure radiation; (4) understand the principles underlying radiotherapy methods and radiotherapy equipment; (5) understand the characteristics of clinical beams and their measurement; (6) understand dosimetry measurements used in radiotherapy; (7) describe acceptance, commissioning, and quality assurance of equipment in radiotherapy; (8) understand basic treatment planning in radiotherapy; (9) understand the use of sealed and unsealed sources in radiotherapy, including the basic principles of brachytherapy; and (10) discuss a range of clinical applications and novel radiotherapy techniques and their advantages.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) assignments; (2) tutorial preparation and participation; and (3) final examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the final examination component.

For units commencing in May 2022 or later the availability of the supplementary assessment is subject to confirmation.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Except where supplementary assessment is not available in a unit, it will be offered to students in all units who:

• Are in good academic standing overall;
• Have passed over half the units taken in the teaching period concerned, except where they are only enrolled in two or less units in the period;
• Have submitted all assessment items in the unit;
• Have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit; and
• No finding of academic misconduct has been made against them in the unit concerned.

Additionally student may apply for supplementary assessment in any unit which is the final unit required for graduation in there course and where they have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Pejman Rowshan Farzad

Unit rules

Prerequisites:

Enrolment in in the ( CM015 Bachelor of Science [Frontier Physics] and Master of Physics or the 53560 Master of Physics ) and Enrolment (other than course) in the SP-MEDPH Medical Physics specialisation and completion of the core units in the Physics major or equivalent

Co-requisites:

Nil

Advisable prior study:

PHYS5404 Radiation Physics and Dosimetry

Incompatibility:

Nil

Contact hours

2 - 3 hours per week plus an extra hour of practicals in some weeks.

Texts

Johns, H. E. and Cunningham, J. R. The Physics of Radiology, 4th edn: Springfield 1984

Khan, F. The Physics of Radiation Therapy, 4th edn: Williams and Wilkins 2010

Khan, F. M. Treatment Planning in Radiation Oncology: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins 2007

Mayles, P., Nahum, A. and Rosenwald, J. C. Handbook of Radiotherapy Physics: Theory and Practice: Taylor & Francis 2007

Podgorsak, E. B. Radiation Oncology Physics: a Handbook for Teachers and Students: International Atomic Energy Agency 2005