Overview
This unit builds on Science and Instrumentation 1 (MEDI12001) and aims to provide you with insights about the x-ray generator and timing circuit in the digital environment. You will learn to apply concepts such as digital image processing, histogram analysis, post-processing and artificial intelligence (AI) to control radiographic image appearances. You will also be introduced to the physical and operational principles of specialised equipment such as orthopantomography (OPG), bone mineral densitometry, mammography, mobile and fluoroscopic systems. This unit will help you understand how image quality and dose can be influenced for fluoroscopic systems.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisites: MEDI12001 Radiation Science and MEDI12002 Science and Instrumentation 1
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 2 - 2023
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).
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
Assessment Overview
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.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
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
The provision of a review and consolidation tutorial in Week 13 was well received by the students and helped them to understand the unit topics and see how the weekly content were related.
Maintain the provision of a review and consolidation tutorial prior to the final assessment in future iterations of the unit.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator reflection
This unit depends immensely on students' prior knowledge of concepts covered in pre-requisite units. A critical part of the learning strategy for this unit is the weekly tutorial where students work in small groups to share their prepared responses to posted questions and learn how to improve responses relative to assessment criteria. Although tutorial attendance was excellent, most students were hesitant to share their individual and/or group responses to the class and required continuous encouragement from the unit coordinator to do so.
Emphasise the importance of integration of prior-knowledge to current concepts covered in the unit and active participation in tutorials.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator reflection
Adapting the use of a global feedback video outlining the target responses, areas of error and areas that were done well in the online test supported the marking team in returning the marked assessments to students in a timely manner.
Maintain the use of a global feedback video for assessments in future delivery of the unit.
Feedback from SUTE
Audio quality was poor in some of the lecture recordings.
Review and update any lecture recordings exhibiting poor audio quality for future iterations of the unit.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator reflection
Having two online tests as assessment items may increase academic integrity issues and may not effectively distinguish between performance levels among the cohort.
Investigate the option of having on-campus supervised assessments in future delivery of the unit.
- Relate the main sub-components of the x-ray generator to the overall generator operation and the controlled production of radiation
- Outline the use of automatic exposure timing devices in controlling the duration and quantity of a given exposure and the safe operation of a digital radiographic unit
- Apply concepts such as exposure index, pre-processing and correction, histogram analysis, post-processing and artificial intelligence (AI) to control radiographic image appearances
- Discuss the design and operational features of the orthopantomography (OPG), bone mineral densitometry, mammography, mobile and fluoroscopic units
- Discuss the control of image quality and radiation dose in fluoroscopic imaging systems.
The unit links to the following Professional Capabilities for Medical Radiation Practitioners as detailed by the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (effective March 2020):
- Domain 1: 3 Understand and apply the different methods of imaging and treatment (Part a & b)
- Domain 1A: 1 Perform projection radiography in a range of settings (Parts a, d, e & f)
- Domain 1A: 2 Perform fluoroscopy and angiography examinations in a range of settings (Parts a, d & e)
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
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
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
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
r.d.kumar@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
University Break Week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Module 1: Controlling radiographic image appearances - Part 1
- Overview of main stages of image data processing between acquisition and display
- Introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging
- Pre-processing and correction
- Generation of image histogram
- Histogram analysis
- Relationship between histogram and exposure index (EI)
- Histogram adjustments and their impact on image data and the displayed image
- Region of interest(ROI) segmentation
Chapter
See Unit Moodle site for assigned reading from online resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 1
Module/Topic
Module 2: Controlling radiographic image appearances - Part 2
- Point processing and local processing of image matrix data
- Grayscale mapping using look up table (LUT)
- Grayscale mapping in image window adjustment
- Spatial location filtering: Convolution
- Spatial frequency filtering: High-pass versus low-pass filtering
- Spatial frequency processing: Unsharp masking
- Geometric operations
- Advantages and disadvantages of post-processing
Chapter
See Unit Moodle site for assigned reading from online resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 2
Lab 1 (Attend only one session in either Week 7 or 8)
Module/Topic
Module 3: X-ray generators and timing circuits
- Review of basic x-ray circuit
- Sub-components of an x-ray generator and their role(s) in x-ray production
- Overall generator operation in controlling production of x-ray
- Application, advantages and disadvantages of automatic exposure timing devices in x-ray systems
Chapter
See Unit Moodle site for assigned reading from online resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 3
Lab 1 (Attend only one session in either Week 7 or 8)
Module/Topic
Module 4: Conventional Mammography and Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT)
- Major design features
- Factors/principles associated with operation
- Technical factors influencing image quality and patient dose
- Advantages and disadvantages
Chapter
See Unit Moodle site for assigned reading from online resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 4
Online Test Due: Week 9 Wednesday (13 Sept 2023) 10:15 am AEST
Module/Topic
Module 5: Orthopantomography (OPG), bone mineral densitometry (BMD) and mobile units
- Constructional features and operation
- Technical considerations
- Common errors and artifacts encountered with OPG units
- Advantages and disadvantages
Chapter
See Unit Moodle site for assigned reading from online resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 5
Module/Topic
Module 6: Fluoroscopic imaging systems - Part 1
- Principle of fluoroscopy
- System configurations
- Image intensifier coupled with digital imaging chain vs flat panel detector (FPD) system
Chapter
See Unit Moodle site for assigned reading from online resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 6
Module/Topic
Module 7: Fluoroscopic imaging systems - Part 2
- Technical considerations for effective use of fluoroscopic systems
- Control of image quality and dose optimisation
Chapter
See Unit Moodle site for assigned reading from online resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 7
Module/Topic
Review & consolidation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review & Consolidation tutorial
Module/Topic
Assessment week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
MEDI12005: Science & Instrumentation 2 is a condensed unit that runs from Weeks 6 -13, as most of you are on placement during the first half of term. Being a six credit unit, you are expected to commit 150 hours to the unit, which equates to about 18.5 hours per week over the 8 weeks. A suggested breakdown of your time would be:
- 4 hours for watching recorded lectures
- 3.5 hours for completing assigned reading
- 2 hours for completing other posted learning activities
- 3 hours for creating study notes to meet weekly learning goals using lectures and readings
- 2 hours for working on posted tutorial questions in preparation for tutorial
- 1 hour for participation in tutorial
- 3 hours for preparation and/or revision for online tests
There will be a two hour lab held between Weeks 7 and 8 on the topic "Controlling radiographic image appearances". You are to attend only one of the lab sessions scheduled in either Week 7 or Week 8. Take note that you are to adhere to the Course Dress Code when using the Medical Imaging simulation labs and a zero-tolerance policy will be followed.
The material covered in Weeks 9-12 is foundation knowledge for MEDI12006 Imaging Procedures 2.
The first online test will be held in Week 9 and the End of term In-class test will be held in Week 14. To help you prepare for the two assessments, it is suggested that you spend at least a total of 30 hours for revision (i.e. 10 hours for the first test and 20 hours for the second test).
There will be weekly tutorials held from Weeks 6 - 12. A review and consolidation tutorial will be held in Week 13. Take note that these tutorials are interactive sessions where your participation enables you to check your understanding of and your ability to apply the weekly 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.
1 Online Test
You will complete an online test on Wednesday 13 September 2023 in Week 9. This test will be available from 9:00am to 10:15am AEST. The test is a timed test that will begin once you've opened it, and will be for a duration of 60 minutes, closing automatically when the 60 minutes is up (or at the 10:15am closing time, whichever comes first). Any unanswered questions or unsaved responses will receive a mark of zero. Take note that you have until 9:15am AEST to log on to the test to utilise the full 60 minutes.
This test contributes 40% towards your final unit grade. The aim of the test is for you to demonstrate your ability to apply the concepts and use the terminology covered from Weeks 6-8 (Modules 1 -3) 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.
Week 9 Wednesday (13 Sept 2023) 10:15 am AEST
Week 11 Wednesday (27 Sept 2023)
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 addressing 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.
- Relate the main sub-components of the x-ray generator to the overall generator operation and the controlled production of radiation
- Outline the use of automatic exposure timing devices in controlling the duration and quantity of a given exposure and the safe operation of a digital radiographic unit
- Apply concepts such as exposure index, pre-processing and correction, histogram analysis, post-processing and artificial intelligence (AI) to control radiographic image appearances
2 In-class Test(s)
Take note that this is a closed-book on-campus supervised test. You will complete an in-class, closed-book, online Moodle test on Monday 16th October 2023 in Week 14 (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 9-12. 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 at the start time of 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.
Exam Week Monday (16 Oct 2023) 1:00 pm AEST
Two weeks after final test.
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 addressing 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.
- Relate the main sub-components of the x-ray generator to the overall generator operation and the controlled production of radiation
- Outline the use of automatic exposure timing devices in controlling the duration and quantity of a given exposure and the safe operation of a digital radiographic unit
- Apply concepts such as exposure index, pre-processing and correction, histogram analysis, post-processing and artificial intelligence (AI) to control radiographic image appearances
- Discuss the design and operational features of the orthopantomography (OPG), bone mineral densitometry, mammography, mobile and fluoroscopic units
- Discuss the control of image quality and radiation dose in fluoroscopic imaging systems.
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?
