Course Title: Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Radiotherapy Treatment Planning

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Radiotherapy Treatment Planning

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

MEDS2149

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016

MEDS2149

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2022

Course Coordinator: Moshi Geso

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7991

Course Coordinator Email: moshi.geso@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 201.08.102


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study

You should have satisfactorily completed following course/s before you commence this course.

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.


Course Description

In this course, students will begin learning the theories and practices relevant to modern clinical Radiation Therapy.

Students will participate in:

  • Radiotherapy lectorial where they will begin to explore the techniques and methodologies that are used in radiation oncology
  • Practical laboratories and tutorials where they can develop an understanding of department workflow and the fundamental skills required for radiation therapy
  • Practical exercises where they will be required to plan clinical treatment plans
  • Virtual simulation activities using a virtual Linear Accelerator


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for MC215 Masters in Medical Physics;

  •  PLO 1. Advanced and integrated understanding of the applications of physical processes to the diagnosis and treatment of disease, including an understanding of contemporary developments in professional practice.
  • PLO 4. Skills to investigate, analyse and interrogate scientific data to ensure quality control of complex technological systems and to diagnose causes of discrepancies.
  • PLO 5. Skills to identify problems, generate novel solutions and evaluate their effectiveness.
  • PLO 6. Communication and research skills to interpret Medical Physics issues and justify decisions for specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • PLO 8. Demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills with creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice in fields related to Medical and Health Physics.
  • PLO 9. Demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability.


On successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Develop and critically apply the knowledge that underpins Medical Physics in Radiation Therapy e.g. Radiotherapy planning, dose calculation algorithms, linear accelerator commissioning, brachytherapy and quality assurance. 
  2. Utilise 3D planning software to design and optimise radiation dose distributions for oncology applications.
  3. Critically apply knowledge of radiation dosimetry principles and critical appraisal of literature to complete radiotherapy plan evaluations.
  4. Critically apply knowledge of quality assurance to range of procedures.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both.

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Mid-semester Test
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 2: Dosimetry Assessment
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3 

Assessment Task 3: Written Assessment
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLO 4

Assessment Task 4: Final Test
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.