Overview
This unit will provide you with the foundational science knowledge needed for future study of the safe and effective use of x-ray imaging equipment and production of diagnostic radiography images. You will learn the theoretical concepts of radiation production and control, radiation interactions in matter, and basics of digital radiographic image recording and processing. This learning will be underpinned by a study of core physics concepts. You will learn how and why to limit radiation exposure through the study of radiation bioeffects and best practices in radiation protection.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Enrolment in CB77
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 - 2024
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
None of the students attended the bi-weekly clarification drop-in sessions throughout the term.
Cease offering the bi-weekly clarification drop-in sessions in subsequent iterations of the unit.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator reflection
Students will benefit from lecture content containing real-world and/or clinical scenarios that are relevant and applicable to the Chiropractic professional context.
Review lecture content and incorporate real-world and/or clinical scenarios that are relevant and applicable to the Chiropractic professional context.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator reflection Informal student feedback
Some students perceive the Radiation Production and Imaging Report as an ineffective assessment tool leading to diminished motivation for students to invest time and effort into the assessment.
Review the appropriateness of the existing Radiation Production and Imaging report as an assessment tool and consider alternative methods, such as online tests, to improve the overall efficiency of the assessment process.
Feedback from PASS team PASS student leaders Unit Coordinator reflection
The Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS), typically available for Year 1 units at CQU, were introduced for the first time in this second-year unit. Despite consistent reminders, none of the students showed any interest or participated in the Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS).
Reassess the option to offer Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) in future iterations of the unit given the lack of interest and participation by students.
Feedback from PASS student leaders Unit Coordinator reflection Informal student feedback
Some students preferred the weekly tutorials to focus on content covered during that week instead of a retrospective coverage in the subsequent week.
Invest in the option to offer weekly tutorials in the same week of content coverage instead of retrospective coverage the following week to support and promote a more effective learning experience for the students.
Feedback from PASS student leaders Unit Coordinator reflection Informal student feedback
Many students perceived the study skills content covered in the initial tutorial not particularly relevant or beneficial to their learning needs as second year students.
Remove the content on study skills from the initial tutorial content and focus this first tutorial on the week 1 unit content to provide a more meaningful learning experience for the students.
- Discuss the underlying physical principles of and the controls involved in x-ray beam production, emission, interactions in matter and capture at the image receptor
- Outline the basic construction and operation of x-ray units and digital radiographic image acquisition systems
- Discuss fundamental attributes of radiographic image appearances such as visibility, brightness, contrast, unsharpness, and distortion
- Relate the concepts of beam control, differential attenuation, and scatter control to the production and appearances of a projection radiograph
- Relate core concepts of bioeffects of low-level ionising radiation and current scientific theories of radiation risk to radiation protection practices in radiography.
This unit supports students in the attainment of the following Competency Standards of the Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia:
1.1 Complies with legal and ethical requirements
- Adheres to relevant legislation, common law, codes, standards and other policy regulating chiropractic conduct and practice
1.4 Demonstrates professional integrity
- Applies principles of risk management and quality improvement to practice
3.3 Obtains the results of clinical, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures necessary to inform care
- Refers for or conducts imaging where clinically indicated
3.5 Critically analyses information available to generate a clinical impression
- Demonstrates knowledge of diagnostic imaging techniques and procedures, including indications and limitations of available imaging modalities
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Report - 30% | |||||
| 2 - Online Test - 20% | |||||
| 3 - Online Test - 50% | |||||
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 | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Report - 30% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Online Test - 20% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Online Test - 50% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Radiographic Imaging and Exposure
Edition: 6th (2020)
Authors: Terri L Fauber
Elsevier
St. Louis St. Louis , Missouri , USA
ISBN: 9780323661393
Students may purchase the hard copy textbook from the University Bookshop. The eBook ISBN: 9780323673075 is not available through the publisher for distribution in Australia but may be purchased through Amazon Australia's Kindle store.
Students may purchase the hard copy textbook from the University Bookshop. The eBook ISBN: 9780323673075 is not available through the publisher for distribution in Australia but may be purchased through Amazon Australia's Kindle store.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
r.d.kumar@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to the unit and underlying physics
- Introduction to radiography & overview of radiographic imaging process
- Matter, energy, work & power
- Newtons Laws
- Heat transfer
- Atomic structure & binding energy
- Electromagnetic energy & properties of radiation
- Inverse Square Law (ISL)
Chapter
Fauber Chapter 1
- Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 1
Module/Topic
Electricity and Intro to the x-ray machine
- Basic electrical concepts
- Basics of electrical circuits
- X-ray tube construction (Overview, Tube envelop, Anode assembly, Cathode assembly & Tube housing)
- Basic x-ray circuit
- X-ray tube operation
Chapter
Fauber Chapter 2
- Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 2
Module/Topic
X-ray tube technical factors and X-ray Production
- Tube voltage, Tube current & Exposure time
- Milliampere-seconds (mAs) & Focal spot settings
- Introduction to x-ray production
- Production of x-rays (Bremsstrahlung & Characteristic)
- The x-ray beam spectrum
Chapter
Fauber Chapter 2
- Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 3
Module/Topic
X-ray beam output and tube life
- X-ray quantity and quality
- Focal spot size and Line focus principle
- Anode heel effect
- Beam filtration
- Heat production and dissipation in x-ray tube
- Heat loading on the anode
- Technical factor selection and tube ratings
- Best practices for extending tube life
Chapter
Fauber Chapter 2
- Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 4
Online Test 1 Due: Week 4 Friday (2 Aug 2024) 8:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
X-ray interactions in matter
- Excitations and ionisations
- Photoelectric effect
- Compton scattering
- Probabilities of x-ray interactions with matter
Chapter
Fauber Chapter 3
- Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 5
Module/Topic
University break week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
X-ray Beam Attenuation and Transmission
- Stopping power of a material
- Exponential attenuation
- Ray paths and remnant beam
- Factors affecting attenuation
- Differential absorption
- Subject contrast and image contrast
Chapter
Fauber Chapter 3
- Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 6
Module/Topic
Visibility of image information
- Introduction to image quality
- Contrast resolution
- Image noise and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)
- Scatter
- Distortion
- Unsharpness
Chapter
Fauber Chapter 3
- Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 7
Module/Topic
Control of image appearances
- Control of visibility on radiographs
- Collimation
- Grids
- Air gap technique
- Automatic exposure control
- Exposure latitude and dynamic range
- Exposure index and deviation index
- Accuracy of structural information on radiographs
Chapter
Fauber Chapters 3, 6 & 7
- Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 8
Module/Topic
Digital imaging technology
- Introduction to digital radiography
- Image receptor systems (structure & operation)
- Digital matrix, FOV and pixels
- Creation of digital image file
Chapter
Fauber Chapter 4
- Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 9
Radiation Production and Imaging Report Due: Week 9 Monday (9 Sept 2024) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Digital image processing and viewing
- Introduction to image processing
- Image histogram
- image enhancement
- Display and viewing of radiographs
- Ensuring digital image quality (windowing, zoom, control of spatial and contrast resolution)
Chapter
Fauber Chapter 4
- Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 10
Module/Topic
Radiation bioeffects and protection
- Introduction to radiation bioeffects
- Effects of radiation on cells
- Categories of radiation effects
- Carcinogenesis
- Radiation during pregnancy
- Introduction to radiation protection
- Radiation protection responsibilities
- Radiation protection in clinical practice
Chapter
Fauber Chapters 1 & 8, Appendix C
- Refer to Moodle for specific pages and any additional readings.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 11
Module/Topic
- Consolidation and integration of core concepts.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial 12
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
This unit has been developed by a cross-disciplinary team to provide expertise from both the radiographic and chiropractic perspectives. The unit provides the science foundation for your study of radiographic technique in Year 3 of your clinical practice in your Masters study. You are required to complete this unit as per the professional accreditation requirements set by the Chiropractic Board of Australia (CBA) and Australian Health Practitioner's Registration Agency (AHPRA).
You are provided with a set of learning goals for each week's topics to communicate the breadth and depth of the knowledge and skills you are required to demonstrate in the unit assessments. Lectures are provided as pre-recorded videos via the unit Moodle site. You will have weekly online tutorials to discuss assigned questions on that week's learning. A review and consolidation tutorial will be held in Week 12 to consolidate and integrate core concepts learned during the term. 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 participation strongly supports your success in the unit. While online tutorials will be recorded, these recordings are not intended to replace your active participation in live sessions.
You are expected to spend an average of 10-12 hours each week in your study activities for this unit. A suggested time budget for your weekly study is:
- 1 hour for completing assigned readings
- 2-3 hours for watching the recorded lectures
- 2 hours for creating study notes to meet the weekly learning goals using the recorded lectures and readings
- 1 hour for working on posted tutorial questions in preparation for the weekly tutorial
- 1 hour for participation in the tutorial
- 1 hour for completing other posted learning activities
- 2-3 hours for assignment preparation and/or revision for online tests
1 Report
Week 9 Monday (9 Sept 2024) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 11 Monday (23 Sept 2024)
Your report will be assessed on the following criteria:
- clarity and completeness of explanations and discussions in answering the required questions
- factual correctness of statements, explanations and discussions
- relevance of response content to the question asked
- correct use of terminology
- Discuss the underlying physical principles of and the controls involved in x-ray beam production, emission, interactions in matter and capture at the image receptor
- Discuss fundamental attributes of radiographic image appearances such as visibility, brightness, contrast, unsharpness, and distortion
- Relate the concepts of beam control, differential attenuation, and scatter control to the production and appearances of a projection radiograph
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Information Technology Competence
2 Online Test
Week 4 Friday (2 Aug 2024) 8:00 pm AEST
Results will be available 2 weeks after the test date.
Question responses will be scored on the following criteria:
- factual correctness of content
- completeness in answering what was asked
- depth of explanation
- relevance of your response in addressing the question that was asked.
Marks for each question are listed on the Moodle screen. The number of marks are allocated based on the number of key points you are expected to make in answering the question. You should expect to make one key point of fact or logic for each mark. As a guide, a key point typically involves 1 - 2 sentences.
- Outline the basic construction and operation of x-ray units and digital radiographic image acquisition systems
- Communication
3 Online Test
Your test responses must be your own work. The rules of academic integrity still apply. During the test you may not consult with any other person via any means (whether verbally, electronically or in writing) or accept any input or assistance from any other person, group or artificial intelligence (AI) regarding the test questions and your responses. You may not share the test content with any other person for any reason. 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.
At the start of the test, you will need to make a declaration that you understand these rules of academic integrity and that you agree to abide by them. Any identified cases of potential collusion or cheating will result in a breach of academic integrity case being raised.
Review/Exam Week Tuesday (8 Oct 2024) 8:00 pm AEST
Results will be available 2 weeks after the test date.
Question responses will be scored on the following criteria:
- factual correctness of content
- completeness in answering what was asked
- depth of explanation
- relevance of your response in addressing the question that was asked.
Marks for each question are listed on the Moodle screen. The number of marks are allocated based on the number of key points you are expected to make in answering the question. You should expect to make one key point of fact or logic for each mark. As a guide, a key point typically involves 1 - 2 sentences.
- Discuss the underlying physical principles of and the controls involved in x-ray beam production, emission, interactions in matter and capture at the image receptor
- Outline the basic construction and operation of x-ray units and digital radiographic image acquisition systems
- Discuss fundamental attributes of radiographic image appearances such as visibility, brightness, contrast, unsharpness, and distortion
- Relate core concepts of bioeffects of low-level ionising radiation and current scientific theories of radiation risk to radiation protection practices in radiography.
- Communication
- Ethical practice
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?
