RTS4103 · Radiation therapy science 3

Overview

This unit focuses on the action of ionising radiation on living things at the cellular level and the resulting effects on organs, tissues and the whole body. You will gain an in-depth knowledge on the biological effects of ionising and non-ionising radiation, and the mechanisms of repair to biological damage. You will be able to describe the systemic and total body responses to early/late effects of radiation. You will undertake a critical review on how the effects of radiation on biological tissue can be utilised in the practice of radiation therapy. You will acquire an appreciation of the potential hazards present in different radiation therapy procedures, and focus on the principles of dose reduction, while maximising the information produced from a particular dose of ionising or non-ionising radiation. Whilst studying these topics, you will be encouraged to critically reflect, analyse and synthesise relevant information from the literature.

Areas of study: Radiation therapy

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment in this unit includes hurdle assessment tasks. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Predict the biological effects of ionising and non-ionising radiation, their severity and risks, at population, whole body, organ, cellular and molecular levels;
2. Evaluate the mechanisms of repair to biological damage, and the systemic and total body responses to early and late effects of radiation;
3. Discuss the radiobiology principles underpinning modifications to procedural techniques and treatment schedules to maximise the benefit from a particular dose of ionising radiation;
4. Analyse the rationale used to determine the most appropriate procedure to balance tumour control and normal tissue exposure with regard to biological effects;
5. Calculate the radiation dose and appraise the current scientific theories relating to the risk associated with radiation dose.

Workload

8 hours of online synchronous tutorials via zoom per semester, proposed schedule of four 2-hour online Tutorials across the semester. For the weeks with a Tutorial: 2 hours of Tutorials, 4 hours of directed, structured learning through interactive online learning packages and tutor moderated discussion forums per week, and 5-6 hours of self-directed study per week. For the weeks without a Tutorial: 6 hours of directed and structured learning through interactive online learning packages and tutor moderated discussion forums per week, and 5-6 hours of self-directed study per week. Total per week = 12 hours

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.