Research

Course Descriptions

• Lectures
• Laboratories
• Practica
• Seminars

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: 2. 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: 1.5. 2 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 E4650y
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
Radiation science
Lect: 2. 3 pts. Professor Zaider

Lecture survey of sources, applications, risks, and control of environmental radiation. During the first half of the course microdosimetry is reviewed; the second half focuses on 1) biological effects of radiation, and 2) radiation safety.

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 E4600x. 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

Practica

(Practica require instructor and advisor approval)


EHSC P8333x, y
Radiation oncology practical experience
Hours to be arranged. 3 pts. Staff

Prerequisites: Grade of B+ or better in EHSC P9335, 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, 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, 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.

Prerequisites: Grade of B+ or better in APPH E4500, 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