Course Descriptions
Lectures
x = Fall semester
y = Spring semester
APPH E4010x
Introduction to nuclear science
Lect: 3. 3 pts. Professor Ostrow
Prerequisite: Math V1202 & E1210 & Physics C1403 or their equivalents. This introductory course is for individuals with an interest in medical physics and other branches of radiation science. Topics covered include: basic concepts, nuclear models, semi-empirical mass formula, interaction of radiation with matter, nuclear detectors, nuclear structure and instability, radioactive decay processes and radiation, particle accelerators, and fission and fusion processes and technologies.
APPH E4500x
Health physics
Lect: 3. 3 pts. Professor Christman
Co- or prerequisite: APPH E4600; EHSC P6330 recommended. This course presents the fundamental principles of health physics: the physics of dose deposition, radiation dosimetry, elementary shielding and radiation protection devices, description and proper use (calibration and maintenance) of health physics instrumentation, and the regulatory and administrative requirements of health physics programs.
APPH E4600x
Fundamentals of radiological physics and radiation dosimetry
Lect: 3. 3 pts. Professor Meli
Co- or prerequisite: APPH E4010 or its equivalent. Basic radiation physics: radioactive decay, radiation producing devices, characteristics of the different types of radiation (photons, charged and uncharged particles) and mechanisms of their interactions with materials. Essentials of the determination, by measurement and calculation, of absorbed doses from ionizing radiation sources used in medical physics (clinical) situations and for health physics purposes.
APBM E4650x
Anatomy for physicists and engineers
Lect. 3. 3 pts. Instructor to be announced
Prerequisite: BMEN E4002 or permission of the instructor. A systemic approach to the study of the human body from a medical imaging point of view: skeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, and urinary systems, breast and women’s issues, head and neck, and central nervous system. Lectures are reinforced by examples from clinical two- and three-dimensional and functional imaging (CT, MRI, PET, SPECT, U/S, etc.).
MSTC 4054Az
Human anatomy and physiology
Lect: 2. 3 pts. Professor De Meersman
Course provides an integrative view of human physiology and anatomy. Emphasis is placed on the endocrine portion of physiology. Through the study of hormonal modulation, a comprehensive view of physiology and anatomy is provided. Relevant pathophysiologic processes are presented throughout.
EHSC P6330x
Radiobiology for medical physicists
Lect: 2. 3 pts. Professor Zaider
This course focuses on the interface between clinical practice and quantitative radiation biology. Topics include: concepts used in medical physics; microdosimetry (to the extent that is useful for understanding the linear-quadratic model, dose-rate effects and relative biological effectiveness); a survey of relevant radiation biology data, with emphasis on mechanisms of radiation action at cellular and tissue level; radiation effects on human populations (carcinogenesis, genetic effects); elements of radiation protection; tumor-control and normal-tissue complication probabilities; biological-based treatment plan optimization.
EHSC P9319y
Clinical nuclear medicine physics
Lect: 2. 3 pts. Professor Esser
Preferred prerequisite: APPH E4010 or equivalent. Introduction to the instrumentation and physics used in clinical nuclear medicine and PET with an emphasis on detector systems, tomography and quality control. Problem sets, papers and term project.
EHSC P9330y
Diagnostic radiological physics
Lect: 2. 3 pts. Professor Rothenberg/Professor Nickoloff
Prerequisite: APPH E4600. Description of X-ray generators and tubes followed by survey of mammography, introductory fluoroscopy, image intensifiers, and cine systems. The second part covers radiodosimetry, image quality concepts, CT scanners, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging.
EHSC P9335y
Radiation therapy physics
Lect: 2. 3 pts Professor Wuu
Preferred prerequisites: APPH E4600 and EHSC P6330. Review of x-ray production and fundamentals of nuclear physics and radioactivity. Detailed analysis of radiation absorption and interactions in biological materials as specifically related to radiation therapy and radiation therapy dosimetry. Surveys of use of teletherapy isotopes and X-ray generators in radiation therapy plus the clinical use of interstitial and intracavitary isotopes. Principles of radiation therapy treatment planning and isodose calculations. Problem sets taken from actual clinical examples are assigned.
Laboratories
APPH E4710x, and APPH E4711y
Radiation instrumentation and measurement laboratory, I and II
Lect: 1. Lab: 4. 3 pts. J. C. Arbo
Co- or prerequisite: APPH E4010. Laboratory fee: $50 each term. E4710: theory and use of of alpha, beta, gamma and x-ray detectors and associated electronics for counting, energy spectroscopy, and dosimetry; radiation safety; counting statistics and error propogation; mechanisms of radiation emission and interaction; E4711 (prerequisite APPH E4710): additional detector types; applications and systems including coincidence, low-level, and liquid scintillation counting; neutron activation; TLD dosimetry; gamma camera imaging. back to top
Practicums & Tutorial
(Practicums require a grade of B+ or better in the prerequisite course, adjusted at the discretion of the instructor, and permission of instructor and advisor.)
EHSC P8333x, y
Radiation oncology practical experience
Hours to be arranged. 3 pts. Staff
Prerequisites: Grade of B+ or better in EHSC P9335, adjusted at the discretion of the instructor, permission of the instructor and the advisor. Application of medical physics to cancer therapy. One day weekly in a hospital setting under close supervision. Dosimetry, calibrations, and treatment planning. Four to six clinically oriented laboratory-type projects will be assigned.
EHSC P8340x, y
Diagnostic radiology applications
Hours to be arranged. 3 pts. Staff
Prerequisites: Grade of B+ or better in EHSC P9330, adjusted at the discretion of the instructor, permission of the instructor and the advisor. Practical applications of diagnostic radiology for various measurements and equipment assessments. Includes instruction and supervised practice in radiation safety procedures, image quality assessments, regulatory compliance, radiation dose evaluations and calibration of equipment. Topics include X-ray generator calibration, focal spot measurements, radiation output measurements, half-value layer measurements, and others. Objective is familiarization in routine operation of test instrumentation required in diagnostic medical physics. Research reports.
EHSC P8365x, y
Nuclear medicine applications
Hours to be arranged. 3 pts. Staff
Prerequisites: Grade of B+ or better in EHSC P9319, adjusted at the discretion of the instructor, permission of the instructor and the advisor. Practical applications of nuclear medicine theory and application for processing and analysis of clinical images and radiation safety and quality assurance programs. Topics may include tomography, instrumentation, and functional imaging. Reports.
EHSC P8380x, y
Health physics applications
Hours to be arranged. 3 pts. Staff
Co- or prerequisites: Grade of B+ or better in APPH E4500, adjusted at the discretion of the instructor, permission of the instructor and the advisor. Radiation protection practices and procedures for clinical and biomedical research environments. Includes design, radiation safety surveys of diagnostic and therapeutic machine source facilities, the design and radiation protection protocols for facilities using unsealed sources of radioactivity – nuclear medicine suites and sealed sources – brachytherapy suites. Also includes radiation protection procedures for biomedical research facilities and the administration of programs for compliance to professional health physics standards and federal and state regulatory requirements for the possession and use of radioactive materials and machine sources of ionizing and non ionizing radiations.
Seminars
APPH E4550y
Medical physics seminar
Lect: 1. 0 pts. J. C. Arbo
Required for all graduate students in the medical physics program. Practicing professionals and faculty in the field present overviews of selected topics in medical physics.
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Optional Courses
APAM E4999x, y
Curricular Practical Training
1 pt. Members of the Faculty
Prerequisites: Obtained internship and approval from advisor. Only for masters students in the Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics who may need relevant work experience as part of their program of study. Final report required. This course may not be taken for pass/fail or audited.
APAM E6650x,y
Research Project
1-6 pts. Members of the Faculty
This course may be repeated for credit. A special investigation of a problem in nuclear engineering, medical physics, applied mathematics, applied physics, and/or plasma physics consisting of independent work on the part of the student and embodied in a formal report.