MABIO4500 Nuclear Medicine Course description

The course deals with nuclear medicine methods for diagnostics and treatment of diseases. Emphasis is placed on knowledge of radiation protection, and the medical areas of application of different types of ionising radiation. The course also focuses on nuclear medicine imaging and detection principles and on how radiopharmaceuticals are produced and prepared in a sterile manner in nuclear medicine units. Discussion and reflection on the ethical challenges associated with work in nuclear medicine units is also an integral part of the course.

Nuclear medicine methods belong to the category molecular imaging, while other methods in this category are covered by the course MABIO4700 Molecular Imaging.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme. The course is also offered as an individual course.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has in-depth knowledge of radioactive pharmaceuticals’ chemical, biological, and pharmacokinetic properties
• has advanced knowledge of the most common clinical examinations and therapies in nuclear medicine, and the relevance of these methods in relation to various diseases and disease mechanisms
• has advanced knowledge of nuclear medicine imaging and processing
• has in-depth knowledge of what characterises the different types of radiation
• has in-depth knowledge of the principles of quality control of nuclear medicine equipment and specimens
• has in-depth knowledge of preparation of radiopharmaceuticals
• is capable of describing applicable radiation protection provisions in the field of nuclear medicine

Skills

The student is capable of

• applying medical-technical equipment in nuclear medicine units
• mastering routine quality control of equipment and specimens
• mastering aseptic work techniques and knows how to protect him/herself and others against contamination and infection when preparing radiopharmaceuticals
• is capable of using safety equipment when handling radioactivity

Competence

The student is capable of

• familiarising him/herself with and taking a critical approach to new methods and apparatuses used in nuclear medicine with particular emphasis on their areas of application, possibilities, and limitations.

Work and teaching methods include lectures, laboratory courses, practical exercises, seminars, group work, guided tours of nuclear medicine units, and self-study.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• minimum attendance of 80% at seminars and scheduled group work
• minimum attendance of 90 % at the laboratory course
• individual practical test, approx. 2 hours
• individual project assignment about a nuclear medicine topic, up to 6,000 words

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

The student;

• has advanced knowledge of low-carbon concrete types and their application in concrete structures.
• has advanced knowledge of relevant degradation mechanisms for reinforced concrete.
• has advanced knowledge in modelling of chloride induced corrosion and service life.
• has knowledge of inspection strategies and test methods for conditions assessment of concrete structures.
• has in-depth knowledge of the structural consequences of reinforcement corrosion on the load-bearing capacity of concrete structures.
• has knowledge of various repair and strengthening measures for existing concrete structures.

Skills:

The student is capable of;

• designing concrete structures that fulfil Eurocode 2 requirements for durability and service life.
• performing service life predictions for concrete structures in marine environments.
• performing calculations of greenhouse gas emissions for concrete structures.
• proposing measures to extend the service life of concrete structure.
• performing capacity assessments of a damaged concrete structure or component.

General competence:

The student is capable of;

• understanding and analyzing scientific publications on topics related to sustainability and durability of concrete structures.
• applying theories in practice based on scientifically justified choices of relevant sustainable solutions.
• presenting academic results and evaluations in a scholarly manner

The teaching consists of lectures and exercises. The students will also be given a major project assignment, in groups of 2-3 students. The project assignment shall be presented in the form of a scholarly report.

Four individual exercises, three of which must be approved before the student can take the exam.

The assessment (exam) is a project assignment (portfolio) consisting of two assessment parts:

1) Project report, prepared in groups of 2-3 students, approx. 40-50 pages (excl. appendices).

2) Oral exam, in group, based on the project.

The assessment cannot be appealed.

The exam will be assessed together as a portfolio with one grade at the end of the semester, but all the parts that make up the portfolio must be assessed as 'pass' in order for the student to pass the course.