Unit Outline
CXA200
Medical Radiation Fundamentals
Semester 1, 2025
Matthew Schmidt
School of Health Sciences
College of Health and Medicine
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Matthew Schmidt
Email: Matthew.Schmidt@utas.edu.au
 

What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This subject introduces the fundamental principles of radiation science and the medical professions that utilise radiation. Students are introduced to the professions of Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy. The unit covers types of radiation and their uses, image production and treatment, radiation safety, radiation measurement and monitoring, patient handling and patient care.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1
Describe and compare the roles and professional responsibilities of the medical radiation science specialties of Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy
2
Describe the clinical situations addressed by the medical radiation professions and assess appropriate procedures and techniques.
3
Assess appropriate patient interaction and professional requirements for safe medical radiation practice and demonstrate the use of appropriate medical terminology.
4
Describe the purpose of techniques, equipment and computer technologies used in medical radiation science, explain their correct use, and identify issues with incorrect use.
Alterations as a result of student feedback
This unit is continuously updated based on student feedback to improve learning outcomes and improve the student experience.
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Independent Learning
Learning resources are provided on MyLo and include lectures, notes, links, and textbook readings.
6
Weekly
Tutorial
Workshops will be held at UTAS, the LGH Imaging Department and Holman Clinic. See unit schedule and announcements for weeks and topics.
2
Study Period 8 times
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
Attendance and all tutorial sessions is required in this unit.
 
 

How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
MRS Professions assignment
See the MyLO site for the due date
10 %
LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:
Nuclear Medicine Assignment
See the MyLO site for the due date
20 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:
Medical Imaging Assignment
See the MyLO site for the due date
20 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:
Radiation Therapy Assignment
See the MyLO site for the due date
20 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 5:
Examination
Exam Period
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: MRS Professions assignment
Task Description:
MRS Professions assignment.

Directed assignment to compare the roles, responsibilities, patient interactions and procedures. Includes a reflective component on the student’s own interests, and perceived alignment with the three professions to direct future stream choice.
Task Length:
500 words
Due Date:
See the MyLO site for the due date
Weight:
10 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Compare and contrast the roles and patient interaction requirements across the medical radiation science professions.
LO1, LO3
2
Compare and contrast the purpose and procedures across the medical radiation science professions.
LO4
3
Reflect on personal characteristics required of the MRS professional in each discipline.
LO1
 
Assessment Task 2: Nuclear Medicine Assignment
Task Description:
Nuclear Medicine Assignment.

Directed assignment on Nuclear Medicine role, responsibilities, clinical problems and techniques.
Task Length:
1000 words
Due Date:
See the MyLO site for the due date
Weight:
20 %
 

 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Describe the role and responsibilities of the Nuclear Medicine technician within a health service team.
LO1
2
Describe the techniques used in nuclear medicine studies, the clinical issues they address, and assess safety aspects.
LO2, LO4
3
Describe the requirements of the technician in patient interactions and handling and assess their role in effective practice.
LO3
 
Assessment Task 3: Medical Imaging Assignment
Task Description:
Medical Imaging Assignment.

Directed assignment on Medical Imaging role, responsibilities, clinical problems and techniques.
Task Length:
1000 words
Due Date:
See the MyLO site for the due date
Weight:
20 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Describe the role and responsibilities of the radiographer within a health service team.
LO1
2
Describe different imaging environments, modalities, and equipment, and explain their role in performing diagnostic imaging.
LO2, LO4
3
Describe the requirements of the radiographer in patient interactions and handling and assess their role in effective practice.
LO3
 
Assessment Task 4: Radiation Therapy Assignment
Task Description:
Radiation Therapy Assignment.

Directed assignment on Radiation Therapy role, responsibilities, clinical problems and techniques.
Task Length:
1000 words
Due Date:
See the MyLO site for the due date
Weight:
20 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Describe the role and responsibilities of the Radiation Therapist within a health service team including patient interactions.
LO1, LO3
2
Describe the principles of radiobiology, including tumour development and spread.
LO2
3
Compare and contrast different types of radiation treatment.
LO2, LO4
 
Assessment Task 5: Examination
Task Description:
This exam will be a written face-to-face, closed book, 2 hr invigilated exam
 

Task Length:
2 hours
Due Date:
Exam Period
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Assess the roles and professional responsibilities of the medical radiation science specialties
LO1
2
Describe the clinical situations addressed by the medical radiation professions and assess appropriate procedures and techniques.
LO2
3
Assess patient interaction and professional requirements for safe practice demonstrating appropriate medical terminology.
LO3
4
Describe techniques, equipment and computer technologies and apply to medical radiation science practice.
LO4
 
 
 

How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
Academic progress review
The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see
Important Guidelines & Support.
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
 

Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.
 
 
 

Required Resources
Required reading materials
Principles of Radiographic Imaging: An Art and A Science , 6th Edition. Richard R. Carlton; Arlene M. Adler; Vesna Balac. ISBN-10: 1-337-71106-3
 
Recommended reading materials
Other resources that you will find useful are:
Fauber , T.L., Radiographic Imaging & Exposure, 4th ed. Mosby, 2012.
Graham, D.T., and Cloke, P., Principles of Radiological Physics, 4th edition, Churchill Livingstone, 2003.
Bushong S.C. Radiologic Science for Technologists, 9th edn, Elsevier Mosby, 2012.
 
Other required resources
Reading Lists
Reading Lists provide direct access to many unit readings in one place. This includes eReadings and items in Reserve. You can access the Reading List for this unit from the link in MyLO, or by going to the Reading Lists page on the University Library website.