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
Important Information:
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
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
Enforced Pre-requisites: PHYS2092 Radiotherapy Physics and Modelling or equivalent course and BIOL2201 Human Structure and Function or equivalent course
Enforced Co-requisites: None
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:
- 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.
- Utilise 3D planning software to design and optimise radiation dose distributions for oncology applications.
- Critically apply knowledge of radiation dosimetry principles and critical appraisal of literature to complete radiotherapy plan evaluations.
- Critically apply knowledge of quality assurance to range of procedures.
Overview of Learning Activities
The student will be involved in learning activities that include face to face activities (including lectures, tutorials and computer laboratories), virtual linear accelerator activities and self-directed study.
You will be involved in teaching and learning activities that include:
- Active participation in laboratory activities in the VERT suite and in the treatment planning suite
- Attendance and participation in lectorial and tutuorial sessions
- Radiation Therapy Planning Practicals
- Self-directed learning activity at the level expected of a post-graduate student
This course aims to encourage you to read outside the prescribed texts and study independently. Attendance at tutorials and laboratory sessions are compulsory. Any reasons for non-attendance must be discussed with the course coordinator.
Throughout the semester you will receive FEEDBACK on your learning in various forms. Class and individual discussion on performance in tests, practicals and tutorials etc is one form of feedback that you should use to guide your learning. Self-assessment tests and questions provided with practical exercises are designed to assist your learning and provide you with the opportunity to gauge your own learning of the course material.
Overview of Learning Resources
The course will be supported by prescribed and recommended text books and online library-based resources. Students are encouraged to explore the course syllabus independently, and read widely in the area.
http://rmit.libguides.com/medical-radiations
Overview of Assessment
This course has no hurdle requirements.
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