BIO3010 Nuclear Medicine Course description

The course deals with the most common methods in nuclear medicine and their areas of application, including PET/CT. Key topics in the course are radiation physics, radiation protection, radiopharmaceuticals and regulation of the field. The course includes demonstrations and field trips to different nuclear medicine units, in addition to work on assignments that will provide in-depth knowledge and prepare students for the exam.

Basic knowledge of nuclear medicine is necessary for a medical laboratory technician to be able to work at nuclear medicine units. Here, the medical laboratory technician works in a team with doctors, physicists and radiographers. The team carries out nuclear medical imaging and organ function analysis for diagnostics and therapy.

The course consists of the following subject areas, specified below as the number of credits:

• Radiation physics 5
• Nuclear Medicine 5
• Total 10

Passed the first and second years of the programme.

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

• is capable of describing the biological effects of ionising radiation
• has knowledge of equipment and physical principles in the field of nuclear medicine, including positron emission tomography/computer tomography (PET/CT)
• is capable of describing the use and effects of different radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine diagnosis and treatment
• is capable of explaining image formation in nuclear medicine
• is capable of recognising anatomic structure and describing pathological changes in images
• is capable of describing the use of data analysis in nuclear medicine examinations
• is capable of describing main principles for planning and conducting different nuclear medicine examinations
• is familiar with different types of therapy treatments using radiopharmaceuticals
• is capable of describing observation and following up of patients undergoing nuclear medicine examinations
• is familiar with quality control procedures for gamma cameras

Skills

The student is capable of

• operating nuclear medical equipment
• complying with national and international laws, regulations and guidelines relating to radiation protection and nuclear medicine
• applying nuclear medicine procedures

General competence

The student

• has knowledge of and respect for ionising radiation, dosages, radiation protection and radiation hygiene
• is capable of using innovation and entrepreneurship as a method of thinking in healthcare

Teaching methods include lectures, practical laboratory demonstrations, visits to nuclear medicine units and group assignments.

In connection with the course, the students will also take part in the Innovation Camp, which is held for third-year students on several of the faculty-s bachelor-s degree programmes. Here, the students take part in interdisciplinary cooperation focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship as a method of thinking in healthcare.

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

• a minimum attendance of 90% in visits to nuclear medicine units
• attendance at Innovation Camp, or approved equivalent assignment

Exam content: The learning outcomes

Exam form: Individual written exam, 4 hours

None

Grade scale A-F

One external and one internal examiner will assess at least 20% of the exam papers. Two internal examiners will assess the remaining papers. The external examiner-s assessment shall benefit all the students.