Unit Outline

This subject introduces the modalities and instrumentation used in medical radiation science professions. Students are introduced to the modalities and instrumentation in the areas of Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy. The unit covers the different types of devices and techniques used in the professions, the instrumentation used to generate radiation, the production of images and principles of therapies using radiation.

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 the processes of radiation generation and explain the factors which determine beam properties.
2	Describe the design and operation of radiation detection devices for image generation and explain the factors which affect image quality.
3	Describe the principles of operation of medical radiation equipment and explain their role in radiation generation, image production and safety.
4	Critically analyse experimental results and apply principles to solve problems in electrical systems, exposure variables, and radiation safety.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

All aspects of this unit have been updated to improve student learning and experience. Please provide any feedback you have to the lecturer.

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:	Electrical Assignment	Week 4	15 %	LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Radiation Production Assignment	Week 8	20 %	LO1, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Experiment Report	Week 10	20 %	LO1, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Radiation Interaction Assignment	Week 12	15 %	LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 5:	Examination	Exam Period	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Electrical Assignment

Task Description:

Electrical Assignment.

Directed assignment on Nuclear Medicine role, responsibilities, clinical problems and techniques.

Task Length:

750 words

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply principles to solve problems in electrical systems	LO4
2	Explain principles of electrical power and safety in clinical situations.	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Radiation Production Assignment

Task Description:

Radiation Production Assignment.

Directed assignment on the processes of radiation production, the exposure variables and the resulting properties of the X-ray beam.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain the principles of X-ray beam production	LO1, LO3
2	Describe the properties of the X-ray beam	LO1
3	Describe the relationship between exposure variables and beam properties.	LO1

Assessment Task 3: Experiment Report

Task Description:

Experiment Report.

Report on medical imaging experiments investigating the role of X-ray equipment on effective procedures and image quality.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically analyse experimental results to ascertain the role of exposure factors and devices on image production	LO1, LO4
2	Solve mathematical problems related to exposure variables and radiation safety.	LO4

Assessment Task 4: Radiation Interaction Assignment

Task Description:

Radiation Interaction Assignment.

Directed assignment on the processes of radiation interaction with matter, their impact on image production and image quality

Task Length:

750 words

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe the causes of radiographic unsharpness and explain the effect this has on image quality	LO2, LO3
2	Describe the benefits of radiographic contrast, assess the factors that determine it and describe approaches to improve contrast.	LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 5: Examination

Task Description:

This exam will be a written face-to-face, closed book, 3 hr invigilated exam

Task Length:

3 hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe the processes of radiation generation and explain the factors which determine beam properties.	LO1
2	Describe the design and operation of radiation detection devices for image generation and explain the factors which affect image quality	LO2
3	Describe the principles of operation of medical radiation equipment and explain their role in radiation generation, image production and safety	LO3
4	Apply principles to solve problems in electrical systems, exposure variables, and radiation safety.	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.

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