Short course

Radiation Physics

This 10-day course will give you a broad knowledge of medical physics as it applies to the clinical practice of radiotherapy. Modelled on the physics syllabus of the FRCR Part I examinations and will therefore provide suitable preparation for this professional examination.

Start date
w/c 4th December 2023 and w/c 15th Jan 2024
Duration
10 days
Mode
Face-to-face
Cost
Home - £1352 International - £3182
Level
Postgraduate Microcredential
Credit
20 credits

This module will help you gain an understanding of medical physics as it applies to the clinical practice of radiotherapy, theoretical as well as practical aspects of handling and calculating radiation doses will be covered.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module you should be able to:

Explain the basic physics principles that underpin radiotherapy, e.g. types of radiation, atomic structure etc;

Explain the principles of radiation dosimetry;

Explain the principles of therapeutic radiation physics including X-rays, electron beam physics, radioactive sources, use of unsealed sources and Brachytherapy;

Describe how to use radiotherapy equipment both for tumour localisation, planning and treatment; Define quality assurance and quality control, in the context of radiotherapy and the legal requirements;

Explain the principles and practice of radiation protection, dose limits, screening and protection mechanisms.

Assessment

After the end of the first week of teaching, the students will be required to complete a series of structured question problems, based around the requirements of the FRCR Part I examinations and contribute 30% towards the overall module mark. At the start of the second week a tutorial will go over these questions, then later that week, students will do an MCQ exam based on the first weeks teaching (20%). At the end of the second week of teaching, students will have to complete a critical appraisal based written assignment (50%).

Academics involved in the delivery of this module

Professor Stuart Green, Head of Medical Physics, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust
Hon Professor of Radiological Physics, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham

Stand Alone Course

This module can be taken as a stand alone course if required. For further information please contact: Programme Administrator Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3803 Email: clinicaloncology@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Entry requirements if taken as a stand alone course

6 months oncology experience and holding a degree, preferably a 2.1 or equivalent qualifications in an appropriate medical/scientific subject.