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.

Admission to the 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

• can give an account of ionising radiation and properties of the radiation field and discuss factors that affect dose distribution
• can discuss key concepts used in radiotherapy and assess dose definitions and normalisation
• can describe in detail the structure and functioning of radiotherapy machines and other equipment used in radiotherapy
• can give an account of radioactivity and radionuclides used in radiotherapy
• can assess quantities, units and measuring methods in dosimetry
• can discuss legislation, regulations and guidelines relating to radiotherapy
• can evaluate radiation protection in connection with external and internal radiotherapy
• can give an account of quality assurance and quality development systems in radiotherapy

Skills

The student

• can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different radiation qualities
• can apply and evaluate techniques and equipment used in connection with radiotherapy
• can carry out and discuss basic dose calculations and simulations
• can carry out and interpret geometric and dosimetric calculations
• can carry out checks of radiotherapy equipment and planned treatment

General competence

The student

• can communicate science issues and solutions relating to radiotherapy
• can assess the effect of different radiation qualities on dose distribution
• can analyse quality assurance, non-conformities and handling of non-conformities in radiotherapy

The work and teaching methods used are lectures, self-study, seminars, 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, seminars and scheduled group and project work
• project assignment in scientific subjects, individual written assignment of up to 3,000 words

Supervised individual written exam, 4 hours

The course provides a supervised introduction to and practical training in research in the chosen field of study in the life sciences. The focus of the supervised research project will depend on the student's academic background, and is created in consultation with the supervisor. The course is designed for visiting students in particular. It will provide the students with an opportunity to take a whole semester at OsloMet. The course has been developed with the bachelor's thesis in mind, and will also form a good basis for continuing work with the bachelor's thesis.

The course will be carried out mainly as an independent work through participation in an ongoing research project in one of our research environments. The students on the course will be supervised by a person in the academic environment or an external partner. Supervision can be given in the form of practical supervision in the laboratory, or guidance when discussing more theoretical research questions. There is a possibility for interdisciplinary cooperation with other programmes at the Faculty of Health Sciences and possibly other programmes at OsloMet.

Any exchange student interested in taking this course should be in a relevant field of study, taking their second to last or final year (or equivalent to the second or third year at OsloMet) and be able to write their bachelor's thesis in English. Admission is subject to available capacity in the course.

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

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of the relevant research methods in the subject area
• is familiar with research ethics issues in the subject area
• has relevant academic knowledge related to the field of study and the forefront of research the project is part of

Skills

The student is capable of

• applying research-based knowledge to plan and carry out academic work in cooperation with others
• reflecting on his/her own professional practice
• making use of supervision, and reflecting on his/her own and other's work
• carrying out independent work under supervision in current research projects

General competence

The student is capable of

• sourcing relevant subject material and applying it in their own work
• conveying key material from the research field the project is linked to, both in writing and verbally