RAB1100 Radiation Physics and Radiography Course description

Basic knowledge of radiation physics and atomic physics is required for professional practice as a radiographer. A main focus in the course is the construction, function and use of X-ray equipment. The course gives students a thorough introduction to radiation physics, how x-ray images are created and factors that influence this process.

The course also provides an introduction to radiographers' working methods and radiograph professional work, including radiation protection, the history of radiography as well as ethics and theories of communication.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme. 

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

Knowledge 

The student 

• understands the history of the profession of radiographer and its contemporary practice in a national and international context
• can describe how radiographers work and what characterises the practice of radiography
• can explain the main principles of patient communication 
• can refer to relevant ethical theories and professional ethics
• can describe the content and function of professional ethical guidelines
• can describe the steps of evidence-based practice 
• can describe laws, regulations and principles related to radiation protection 
• can explain the concept of ionising radiation 
• can explain how electromagnetic radiation and particle radiation are formed
• can explain the X-ray spectrum used for conventional radiography and mammography
• can describe interactions between X-rays and tissue/matter 
• can explain the concept of radiation doses 
• can describe the components of a conventional X-ray equipment, its structure and how it works 
• can explain how radiation is detected 
• can explain and describe the structure of digital images
• can explain factors that affects image quality
• can explain the relationship between optimal image quality and radiation dose 
• can describe the image storage system Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)
• can describe different aspects of post-processing
• can describe different organs’ radiosensitivity 

Skills 

The student can

• handle safe use of X-ray equipment as regards radiation risk
• identify the elements of an X-ray laboratory 
• explain and apply different types of filters, grids and their placement in the X-ray equipment
• apply knowledge of challenges relating to communication with patients, next of kin and colleagues 

General competence 

The student can

• understand basic radiation physics related to ionising radiation 
• understand the fundamental principles of radiation protection
• use an X-ray laboratory 

Work and teaching methods include lectures, seminars, skills training, written work and self-study. In seminars, the students work in groups. This course uses digital learning resources in the form of video lectures, digital tests and exercises.

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• a minimum of 90 % attendance in skills training 

• a minimum of 80 % attendance in scheduled group works and seminars

• written assignment in groups of 2-4 students related to patient communication and ethics, up to 1,200 words

Supervised individual written exam, combination of multiple choice and free text assignments, 4 hours 

No aids permitted 

Grade scale A-F

An external examiner contributes to the preparation of the exam questions.

Free text assignment: At least 25% of the exam papers will be assessed by one external and one internal examiner. The external examiner's assessment should benefit all students. The remaining papers will be assessed by internal examiners. Multiple choice test: quality assured by an internal examiner and automatically assessed