STRÅL6010 Scientific Subjects and Quality Assurance in Radiotherapy Course description

The course covers the physical and technical aspects that form the basis for radiotherapy and addresses the core subjects of clinical physics, dosimetry, radiotherapy machines and quality assurance.

Scope of the course: 10 credits

• Clinical radiotherapy physics: 4 credits
• Radiotherapy machines: 2 credits
• Dosimetry: 1 credit
• Quality Assurance: 1 credit
• Practical radiotherapy: 2 credits

Admission to the programme

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 radiation physics, properties of the radiation field and factors that affect the dose distribution
• is capable of giving an account of key concepts used in radiotherapy, including dose definitions and norms
• is capable of describing the structure and functioning of radiotherapy machines and other equipment used in radiotherapy
• has knowledge of radioactivity, and of radionuclides used in radiotherapy
• has knowledge of sizes, units and measuring methods in dosimetry
• is capable of giving an account of legislation, regulations and guidelines relating to radiotherapy
• has knowledge of radiation protection in connection with external and internal radiotherapy
• has wide-ranging knowledge of systems for quality assurance and quality development in radiotherapy

Skills

The student

• is capable of justifying the choice of patient position and immobilisation
• masters techniques and equipment used in connection with radiotherapy
• knows how to carry out basic dose calculations and simulations
• knows how to carry out geometric and dosimetric calculations
• knows how to check radiotherapy equipment and planned treatment

Competence

The student

• is capable of communicating science issues and solutions relating to radiotherapy
• is capable of analysing and assessing quality assurance, non-conformities and non-conformity handling in radiotherapy
• has knowledge of the professional function, responsibility and role of the radiotherapist, and is capable of adjusting his/her own professional practice under supervision

The work and teaching methods used are lectures, self-study, workshops, group and project work, as well as skills training and lab exercises under supervision.

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

• minimum 80 per cent attendance in connection with the introduction to the study programme, skills training, lab exercises, workshops and scheduled group and project work
• project assignment in scientific subjects, individual written assignment of approx. 2,500 words

Exam content:The learning outcomes

Exam form: Supervised individual written exam, 4 hours

Calculator

Grade scale A-F.

All the exam papers will be assessed by an external and an internal examiner.