CQUniversity Unit Profile
MEDI12001 Radiation Science
Radiation Science
All details in this unit profile for MEDI12001 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit prepares you for the safe and effective use of ionising radiation for radiographic imaging in the simulated and clinical environment. The unit covers production and control of the radiation beam, radiation interactions in matter and risk of detriment to the human body from exposure to radiation. Radiation safety and dose minimisation practices are examined in light of current findings on detriment from low level radiation.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisites: MEDI11001 Fundamentals of the Imaging Professions MEDI11002 Physics for Health Science ESSC11004 Study and Research Skills for Health Sciences

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2023

Mackay

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Test
Weighting: 40%
2. In-class Test(s)
Weighting: 60%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Unit coordinator reflection

Feedback

Many students do not recognise how the tutorials help them build skills for assessment as well as supporting theory knowledge.

Recommendation

Modify the weekly tutorials to include examples of assessment questions and critical evaluation of responses to build theory knowledge and assessment skills in students.

Feedback from Unit coordinator reflection

Feedback

The provision of individualised feedback with the introduction of a global video feedback in Term 1 2022 reduced student queries regarding marking and where they lost marks.

Recommendation

Maintain provision of a combination of individualised feedback and global video feedback in future iterations of the unit.

Feedback from SUTE

Feedback

Some of the students found a few of the lecture videos exhibiting low audio quality.

Recommendation

Review and update lecture videos with low audio quality.

Feedback from MI teaching team

Feedback

A closed book, on campus invigilated test compared to an online unsupervised test via Moodle quiz will be a better assessment tool.

Recommendation

Consider implementing a closed book, on campus invigilated test in future iterations of the unit.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Discuss the design, structure and operation of the x-ray tube in the production of x-radiation
  2. Discuss the use of technical parameters, filters and collimation to control the useful x-ray beam's contents and dimensions
  3. Apply underlying physical concepts in discussing the processes of x-ray photon production, x-ray interactions with matter and differential attenuation, in explaining the factors that affect each and in explaining the various metrics of radiation quantity and risk
  4. Discuss current scientific understanding of the bioeffects and associated risks of radiation at the levels used in diagnostic radiology to body cells, tissues and systems across the lifespan
  5. Discuss radiation safety regulations, legislation and associated best practice standards as they apply to occupational exposure and safe use of ionising radiation in diagnostic imaging.

This unit links to the following Professional Capabilities for Medical Radiation Practitioners as detailed by the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (effective 1 March 2020):

  • Domain 1 (Medical Radiation Practitioner): Key capability 3 - Understand and apply the different methods of imaging and treatment (Part b - Understand the modalities and equipment used in different imaging and treatment pathways across medical radiation practice)
  • Domain 1 (Medical Radiation Practitioner): Key capability 5 - Assess the patient's/client's capacity to receive care (Part c - Identify patients/clients most at risk, including pregnant women and the foetus, breastfeeding mothers and their children)
  • Domain 2 (Professional and ethical practitioner): Key capability 1 - Practise in an ethical and professional manner, consistent with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements - (Part a- Understand and comply with legal responsibilities)
  • Domain 5 (Radiation safety and risk manager): Key capability 1 - Perform and provide safe radiation practice - (Part a- Comply with relevant radiation safety legislation, Part b - Practice in accordance with relevant radiation safety guidelines, Part c- Apply knowledge of radiobiology and medical radiation physics to examinations/treatment, Part d - Apply knowledge of radiobiology and radiation dose adjustment to deliver safe and effective patient/client outcomes, Part e - Review the referrals and associated examinations/treatment prescriptions to ensure appropriate justification, limitation and optimisation & Part f - Identify radiation risks and implement effective and appropriate risk management systems and procedures )
  • Domain 5 (Radiation safety and risk manager): Key capability 4 - Maintain safety of the workplace and associated environments - (Part a- Identify safety hazards in the workplace and respond to incidents )including radiation and radioactivity incidents) in a timely and appropriate manner, in accordance with protocols and procedures, Part b - Report on all incidents (including radiation and radioactivity incidents) as needed, Part c - Manage the environmental risks of manufactured radiation and radioactivity, Part d - Identify, confirm and implement methods of radiation management, Part e - Use safe and legal methods for managing manufactured radiation sources, including using appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment and complying with shielding requirements, Part f - Use safe and legal methods for storing and disposing radioactive material and identify and minimise occupancy risks about proximity of radiation and radioactive storage. g. Provide information on radiation-related hazards and control measures to others in the workplace).

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Online Test - 40%
2 - In-class Test(s) - 60%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Supplementary

Essentials of Radiographic Physics and Imaging

Edition: 2nd (2015)
Authors: Johnston JN & Fauber TL
Elsevier
St Louis St Louis , Missouri , USA
ISBN: 9780323339674
Binding: eBook
Supplementary

Radiography in the Digital Age

Edition: 3rd (2018)
Authors: Carroll, Quinn B
Charles C Thomas Publisher Ltd
Springfield Springfield , Illinois , USA
ISBN: 9780398092153
Binding: eBook

Additional Textbook Information

The two textbooks (Radiography in the Digital Age & Essentials of Radiographic Physics and Imaging) are used for multiple second year units: MEDI12001 Radiation Science, MEDI12002 Science & Instrumentation 1 and MEDI12005 Science & Instrumentation 2. Both the textbooks are available for student access as eBooks through the Library.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Reshmi Kumar Unit Coordinator
r.d.kumar@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 06 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

X-ray production: Part 1

  • Review of Physics foundation concepts associated with x-ray production
  • Overview of key internal and external structures (anode and cathode) of the x-ray tube involved in the x-ray production process


Chapter

"Radiography in the Digital Age" - selected readings from Chapters 4, 8, 9 & 21.

"Essentials of Radiographic Physics & Imaging" -  Chapters 2, 4 & 5.

  • Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 1
Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

X-ray production: Part 2

  • Heat production at the anode
  • Characteristic radiation production
  • Bremsstrahlung radiation process

Chapter

"Radiography in the Digital Age" - selected readings from Chapter 10.

"Essentials of Radiographic Physics & Imaging" - Chapter 6.

  • Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 2

Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

X-ray spectrum

Expression of radiation quantity

  • Exposure, exposure rate, radioactivity, KERMA, entrance surface dose, dose area product, absorbed dose, equivalent dose, effective dose and tissue weighting

X-ray emission spectrum

  • Impact of kVp, exposure time (s), current (mA) and mAs on beam spectrum


Chapter

"Radiography in the Digital Age" - selected readings from Chapters 10, 11 & 40.

"Essentials of Radiographic Physics & Imaging" - Chapter 6.

  • Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 3

Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Interaction of x-rays with matter

  • Compton scattering
  • Photoelectric effect
  • Factors affecting probability of interactions of x-ray with matter


Chapter

"Radiography in the Digital Age" - selected readings from Chapters 11 & 12.

"Essentials of Radiographic Physics & Imaging" - Chapter 7.

  • Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 4

Week 5 Begin Date: 03 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

X-ray beam attenuation

  • Exponential attenuation
  • Anode heel effect (self-filtration)
  • HVL and compensating filters
  • Impact of target material and filtration on beam spectrum


Chapter

"Radiography in the Digital Age" - selected readings from Chapters 10, 11, 17, 21 & 37.

"Essentials of Radiographic Physics & Imaging" - Chapters 5 & 6.

  • Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 5



Vacation Week Begin Date: 10 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Break week

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 17 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Assessment week


Chapter

No new content taught


Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 6


Online Test Due: Week 6 Thursday (20 Apr 2023) 12:30 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 24 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Radiosensitivity and radiation risk

  • Radiosensitivity classification of cell and tissue type
  • Physical and biological factors affecting radiation response
  • Stochastic versus tissue reactions
  • Radiation dose-response relationships
  • Epidemiological studies to assess risk of radiation detriment
  • Risk models

Chapter

"Radiography in the Digital Age" - selected readings from Chapters 41 & 42.

  • Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 7

Week 8 Begin Date: 01 May 2023

Module/Topic

Hereditary effects of radiation

  • Review of meiosis and gamete production
  • Radiation effect on different developmental stages of pregnancy
  • Target theory
  • Models of cell survival
  • Cell recovery

Chapter

"Radiography in the Digital Age" - selected readings from Chapters 41 & 42.

  • Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 8

Week 9 Begin Date: 08 May 2023

Module/Topic

Radiation effects at cellular level, on the body systems and the body

  • Review of mitosis process
  • In-vitro irradiation of macromolecules (main-chain scission, cross-linking and point lesions)
  • Effects of radiation on DNA
  • Radiolysis of water
  • Direct and indirect effects of radiation

Chapter

"Radiography in the Digital Age" - selected readings from Chapters 41 & 42.

  • Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 9

Week 10 Begin Date: 15 May 2023

Module/Topic

Radiation protection

  • Cardinal principles of radiation protection
  • ALARA principle
  • Leakage radiation
  • Radiographic features in modern x-ray imaging systems
  • Design of primary and secondary radiation barriers

Chapter

"Radiography in the Digital Age" - selected readings from Chapters 40 & 43.

  • Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 10

Week 11 Begin Date: 22 May 2023

Module/Topic

Radiation dose management

  • Radiation detection and management
  • Occupational versus public radiation exposure
  • Managing occupational exposure
  • Dose comparisons for imaging procedures and modalities
  • Regulation and legislation on radiation protection
  • Recent developments in clinical radiation protection practices
  • Reducing unnecessary patient dose, including pregnant patients.

Chapter

"Radiography in the Digital Age" - selected readings from Chapters 40 & 43.

  • Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 11

Week 12 Begin Date: 29 May 2023

Module/Topic

Consolidation and revision

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial 12

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 05 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

In-Class Test Due: Review/Exam Week Wednesday (7 June 2023) 4:30 pm AEST
Term Specific Information

This unit is designed to be taken concurrently with MEDI12002 Science & Instrumentation 1 and content from that unit will be referred to and used to develop understanding of the content in this unit. You are expected to spend on average 10 -12 hours of time each week in your study activities for this unit. A suggested budget for weekly study is:

  • 2 hours for watching lecture recordings and taking notes
  • 1.5 - 2 hours for completing assigned readings
  • 0.5 - 1 hour for completing other posted learning activities
  • 2-2.5 hours for creating study notes to meet weekly learning goals using lectures and readings
  • 1-1.5 hours for working on posted tutorial questions in preparation for tutorial
  • 1 hour for participation in tutorial
  • 1-2 hours for preparation and/or revision for online tests

Tutorials are interactive sessions where your participation enables you to check your understanding of and your ability to apply the week's concepts and for you to build your skills in responding to test questions. Your regular and active participation strongly supports your success in the unit.

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Test

Assessment Title
Online Test

Task Description

You will complete an online test on Thursday 20 April 2023 in Week 6. This test will be available from 10:45am to 12:30pm AEST. The test is a timed test that will begin once you've opened it, and will be for a duration of 90 minutes, closing automatically when the 90 minutes is up. The aim of the test is for you to demonstrate your ability to apply concepts and terminology from Weeks 1-5 of the unit. All questions will be based on the posted weekly learning goals. The question tasks will be of similar type to those discussed in weekly tutorials and will require you to apply your knowledge and understanding to a given scenario. These tasks may include analysis of diagrams and photographs to explain and discuss concepts. There will be a mixture of problem solving and application of concepts type questions.


This is an open book test. It means that during the test you may access your study notes, textbook, the unit Moodle site and/or any website. The standards of academic integrity still apply. All responses must be your own work. Colluding with other students on non-group work is considered academic misconduct. Just as for written assignments, you must acknowledge intellectual content in your answers that is not your own work. Basic statements of facts are considered 'common knowledge' in the context of this unit so they do not need to be cited. However, if you copy any explanation content word-for-word from ANY source, you must put that content in quotation marks and formally cite your source. Although this is an open book test, the expectation is that you will be familiar with the unit content and concepts. You should not assume you will have time to look up the answer to every question.


As per the assessment Procedures, this test must be written at the timetabled date and time. There is no opportunity to apply a late penalty. In the absence of an approved extension, you cannot complete this assessment at a later time and you will receive a mark of zero for the assessment if you have not submitted it by the scheduled date and time. If you start the test late, you will still be required to submit at the stated closing time.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Thursday (20 Apr 2023) 12:30 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Thursday (4 May 2023)


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

Question responses will be scored on the following criteria:

  • correct use of terminology
  • correct selection and application of core concepts to the specific content of the question
  • clarity, correctness, relevance and completeness of the response in address the question that was asked
  • critical thinking

The number of marks for each question are allocated based on the depth and breadth of the required response, and will be indicated on the online test.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Discuss the design, structure and operation of the x-ray tube in the production of x-radiation
  • Discuss the use of technical parameters, filters and collimation to control the useful x-ray beam's contents and dimensions
  • Apply underlying physical concepts in discussing the processes of x-ray photon production, x-ray interactions with matter and differential attenuation, in explaining the factors that affect each and in explaining the various metrics of radiation quantity and risk

2 In-class Test(s)

Assessment Title
In-Class Test

Task Description

Take note that this is a closed-book supervised test. You will complete an in-class, closed-book, online Moodle test on Wednesday 7th June 2023 in Week 13 (Review/Exam week) to demonstrate your ability to apply concepts and terminology learned in the unit.


This test will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge of, and ability to apply the concepts and use the terminology from all weeks of the unit, with an emphasis on Weeks 7-11. All questions will be based on the posted weekly learning goals and may include analysis of diagrams, photographs and/or radiographs. Questions may include quiz-style questions (for example multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, matching), true/false with explanation and written response. Written response questions will be of a similar type to those discussed in weekly tutorials and will require you to apply your knowledge and understanding to a given scenario.


This is a 90 minute test. You will sit this test at your timetabled assessment time on the due date. There are two back-to-back sittings of this test so your test start and end time will depend on your registered session. You should be in attendance at your allocated room 10 minutes prior to your registered session. Further instructions will be provided in Moodle.


This test must be written at the timetabled date and time. As per the Assessment Procedures, this task is to be completed during a defined period. There is no opportunity to apply a late penalty. If you arrive late, you may enter the test room up to 30 minutes after the start of the test; however, you will still be required to submit your test at the standard test end time. You will not be allowed entry more than 30 minutes after the test starts. In the absence of an approved extension, you cannot complete this assessment at a later time, and you will receive a mark of zero for the assessment if you have not completed it by the scheduled date and time. If you have an approved extension, you will be assigned a new test date and time as soon as possible after the original test date, according to availability of a test supervisor and an appropriate room. It is your responsibility to ensure that you can attend at that new assigned date/time. Please see Section 5 of the the University's Assessment Policy and Procedure for details regarding Assessment Management, specifically around assessment extension.



Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Wednesday (7 June 2023) 4:30 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Feedback and test results will be available 2 weeks after date of test.


Weighting
60%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Question responses will be scored on the following criteria:

  • correct use of terminology
  • correct selection and application of core concepts to the specific content of the question
  • clarity, correctness, relevance and completeness of the response in address the question that was asked
  • critical thinking

The number of marks for each question are allocated based on the depth and breadth of the required response, and will be indicated on the online test.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Discuss the design, structure and operation of the x-ray tube in the production of x-radiation
  • Discuss the use of technical parameters, filters and collimation to control the useful x-ray beam's contents and dimensions
  • Apply underlying physical concepts in discussing the processes of x-ray photon production, x-ray interactions with matter and differential attenuation, in explaining the factors that affect each and in explaining the various metrics of radiation quantity and risk
  • Discuss current scientific understanding of the bioeffects and associated risks of radiation at the levels used in diagnostic radiology to body cells, tissues and systems across the lifespan
  • Discuss radiation safety regulations, legislation and associated best practice standards as they apply to occupational exposure and safe use of ionising radiation in diagnostic imaging.

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?