BI3BDI2-Radiation in Medicine

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Lindsey Thompson
Email: lindsey.thompson@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module will provide students with a good understanding of an introduction to clinical diagnostics and nuclear medicine. The aim is to develop an understanding of imaging equipment linked to diagnostics.  Students will also gain experience of Nuclear Medicine in terms of safety, treatments, treatment planning.

Aims:

Lectures will provide an opportunity for students to understand fundamental concepts of ionising radiation and relate them to them to ideas in biomedicine and biomedical Engineering at the level of diagnostics and treatments. Associated practical sessions will allow them to apply their knowledge and combine this with skills such as analytical analysis, communication, report writing.

Further aims include:

• To provide an opportunity to develop problem solving skills.


• To provide an illustration of the link between physics and scientific application.


• To provide students with a deeper understanding of the relationship between physics and biology.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• Relate the fundamental concepts of ionising radiation radioactivity the human body and medicine.


• the functioning of a range of diagnostic imaging equipment such as X-rays, Magnetic Resonance,  Positron Emission Tomography, SPECT and Gamma Camera.


• Identify images from different modalities and relate to simple diagnoses and clinical cases.


• Evaluate the use of radiotherapy in cancer treatment.


• Compare a range of treatment modalities.


• Explain the principles of treatment planning including dose calculations.


• Describe the principles of Radiobiology.


• Explain the functioning of the Linear accelerator.


• Explain the principles and production of radiopharmaceuticals.

Additional outcomes:

Students should obtain an understanding of the application of ionising radiation principles to medicine at the whole-body level. They will gain practical experience of by studying a range of case studies at the diagnostics and treatment level.

Outline content:

This module will provide a fundamental understanding of the role of ionising radiation in medicine and its application in both diagnostics and treatment.



Students will engage in a series of lectures, tutorials, virtual visits and practicals that will provide a competence in the links between fundamental principles and biology at the level of medicine.



Sample lecture content includes:

Radiobiology

• Side effects of radiotherapy and their management


• Factors affecting the severity of side effects, toxicities and their measurement


• Principles of fractionation; biological effective dose (BED), Dose Volume Histograms


• Tumour control probability and Normal tissue complication probability

Clinical context

• Treatments for cancer; the relative roles of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapyIndications for the use of radiotherapy in cancer treatment


• Radical and palliative treatment


• Treatment modalities; external beam radiotherapy (EBRT),image guided radiation therapy (IGRT), brachytherapy, brief coverage of particle beams; electron, neutron and proton therapies


• Principles of treatment simulation and planning


• Principles of immobilisation, immobilisation devices 


• On line/off line imaging for monitoring and verification


• Pathways of care and treatment for common cancer types by anatomical system


• The role of the radiographer, oncologist and physicist in the cancer pathway; prevention, pre-treatment, planning, delivery, after care.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

There will be lectures each week for a period of 10 weeks. Virtual tours, demonstrations and workshop sessions will support students prior to assessment.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Practicals classes and workshops	5
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	50
Exam revision/preparation	15
Peer assisted learning	2
Advance preparation for classes	2
Preparation of practical report	3
Revision and preparation	2
Reflection	1
Total hours by term	100	0	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	60
Set exercise	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One-and-a half-hours exam

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Late arrivals may not be allowed to join practicals for reasons of safety.

Formative assessment methods:

An MCQ Blackboard test will be released in the 9th week of the course.  Full feedback on each answer is given so students can understand the principles behind each answer. Feedback groups will be given 121 sessions.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

August - September re-examination 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023