CQUniversity Unit Profile
MEDI13001 Science and Instrumentation 3
Science and Instrumentation 3
All details in this unit profile for MEDI13001 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 will expand on your prior study of x-ray equipment and imaging processes of specialised imaging technologies. The primary focus of the unit is on the technical fundamentals (both theoretical and practical) of Computed Tomography to enable safe and effective scan technique. You will examine in detail the equipment operation of computed tomography and its processes of data acquisition, processing, reconstruction and display. You will explore dose and image optimisation strategies and quality assurance testing. You will be introduced to the physical and operational principles of advanced medical imaging modalities including angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging and nuclear medicine imaging.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 3
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisites MEDI12001 Radiation Science; and MEDI12002 Science & Instrumentation 1, and MEDI12005 Science and Instrumentation 2, and MEDI12007 Quality Processes for Dose and Image Optimisation

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 Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 50%
2. Laboratory/Practical
Weighting: Pass/Fail
3. Online Test
Weighting: 50%

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 Informal Student feedback

Feedback

Some students felt that they would have liked more time assigned to the Week 5 Online Quiz.

Recommendation

Review the length of the assessment and number of questions for the assigned time frame.

Feedback from Unit Coordinator feedback

Feedback

The change of assessment items from one written assignment and one online test towards the end of term to three online tests spread across the term, engaged the students earlier with the learning material and maintained engagement throughout the term.

Recommendation

Continue to use this assessment timing to encourage and maintain early student engagement.

Feedback from Unit Coordinator & Teaching Team feedback

Feedback

The new Practical CT Equipment Use assessment encouraged CT lab attendance and ensured that the students applied the scientific and instrumentation CT theory.

Recommendation

Maintain the inclusion of the Practical CT Equipment Use assessment to support students' hands-on learning application.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Discuss the processes of data acquisition and processing, image reconstruction, reformatting and display and of quality assurance testing in computed tomography
  2. Operate computed tomography equipment safely and effectively, with consideration to patient dose, image quality and equipment conservation
  3. Manipulate three dimensional (3D) data sets in computed tomography
  4. Discuss the design, operational features and clinical safety considerations of computed tomography equipment and of specialised imaging modalities such as angiography, ultrasonography and nuclear medicine imaging.

This unit maps to the following components of the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia's Professional Capabilities for Medical Radiation Practice (2020 version): 

  • Domain 1A 3
  • Domain 4.1
  • Domain 5.1, 5.3

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
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 50%
2 - Laboratory/Practical - 0%
3 - Online Test - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
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

Prescribed

Bontrager's Textbook of Radiographic Positioning and Related Anatomy

9th Edition or 10th Edition (2018)
Authors: John Lampignano & Leslie E. Kendrick
Elsevier
St. Louis St. Louis , Missouri , USA
ISBN: 9780323399661
Binding: Hardcover
Prescribed

Computed Tomography for Technologists

2nd Edition (2018)
Authors: Romans, Lois E.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9781496375858
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

Computed Tomography for Technologists (Romans) will also be used as a prescribed text for MEDI13002 in the same term.

Textbooks can be accessed online at the CQUniversity Library website. Access may be limited. If you prefer your own copy, you can purchase either paper or eBook versions at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)

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: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Natalie Sciascia Unit Coordinator
n.sciascia@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 06 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Introduction to CT and CT Terminology

Components of a CT System

Chapter

Computed Tomography for Technologists (2nd ed.): A Comprehensive Text, Romans, L Chapter 1 - Basic Principles of CT, Chapter 2 - Data Acquisition

Recommended readings available on the unit Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

CT Practical Lab
Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Data Acquisition in CT

Chapter

Computed Tomography for Technologists (2nd ed.): A Comprehensive Text, Romans, L Chapter 5 - Methods of Data Acquisition

Recommended readings available on the unit Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

CT Practical Lab, on-campus tutorial

Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Data Management in CT

Chapter

Computed Tomography for Technologists (2nd ed.): A Comprehensive Text, Romans, L Chapter 3 - Image Reconstruction, Chapter 8 - Post-processing, Chapter 9 - Data Management
Recommended readings available on the unit Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

CT Practical Lab, on-campus tutorial

Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Data Display in CT

Chapter

Computed Tomography for Technologists (2nd ed.): A Comprehensive Text, Romans, L Chapter 4 - Image Display
Recommended readings available on the unit Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

CT Practical Lab, on-campus tutorial
Week 5 Begin Date: 03 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Image Quality in CT

Chapter

Computed Tomography for Technologists (2nd ed.): A Comprehensive Text, Romans, L Chapter 6 - Image Quality
Recommended readings available on the unit Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

CT Practical Lab, on-campus tutorial


Online Quiz Week 5 - Monday 3rd April 2023 at 10-11am AEST

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

 Patient Dose in CT

Chapter

Computed Tomography for Technologists (2nd ed.): A Comprehensive Text, Romans, L Chapter 14 - Radiation Dosimetry in CT
Recommended readings available on the unit Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

CT Practical Lab, on-campus tutorial

Week 7 Begin Date: 24 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

CT Quality Assurance

Chapter

Computed Tomography for Technologists (2nd ed.): A Comprehensive Text, Romans, L Chapter 7 - Quality Assurance
Recommended readings available on the unit Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

CT Practical Lab, on-campus tutorial

Week 8 Begin Date: 01 May 2023

Module/Topic

CT Artefacts

Chapter

Computed Tomography for Technologists (2nd ed.): A Comprehensive Text, Romans, L Chapter 7 - Quality Assurance (Image Artifacts)
Recommended readings available on the unit Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

CT Practical Lab, on-campus tutorial


Practical CT Equipment Use Due: Week 8 Friday (5 May 2023) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 9 Begin Date: 08 May 2023

Module/Topic

Imaging equipment for specialised applications: EOS & DSA

Chapter

Recommended readings available on the unit Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

On-campus tutorial


Online Quiz Week 9 - Monday 8th May 2023 at 10-11am AEST

Week 10 Begin Date: 15 May 2023

Module/Topic

Imaging equipment for specialised applications: Ultrasound & MRI


Chapter

Recommended readings available on the unit Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

On-campus tutorial

Week 11 Begin Date: 22 May 2023

Module/Topic

Imaging equipment for specialised applications: PET CT & Nuclear Medicine

Chapter

Recommended readings available on the unit Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

On-campus tutorial

Week 12 Begin Date: 29 May 2023

Module/Topic

Consolidation

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

On-campus tutorial

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 05 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Final Online Test Due: Review/Exam Week Monday (5 June 2023) 12:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

This unit is delivered in on-campus mode at Mackay Ooralea campus from Weeks 1 to 12.


The lecture content will be pre-recorded and run from Week 1 to 11. You will need to be on campus for CT practical labs from Week 1 onwards. Tutorials commence on campus from Week 2 onwards. Tutorials will not be recorded.


Each week's tutorial and lab activity builds on the content of the pre-recorded lectures for the week, so you need to ensure you have watched the lectures prior to attending labs and tutorials. The weekly on-line quizzes are formative, designed to help you assess your understanding of the weekly content. The weekly on-line quizzes should be completed before attending any scheduled class or lab activity.


Note that 150 hours of student engagement is required for this unit. That equates on average to about 10–12 hours per week. You should plan to budget your weekly time to include, on average:

  • Viewing lecture recordings (2 hrs)
  • Completing assigned readings (1 hr)
  • Creating study notes (2–3 hrs)
  • Preparing for and participating in labs (2 hrs)
  • Preparing and participating in tutorials (2–3 hrs)
  • Preparation for and completion of assessments (2 hrs)


The Unit Coordinator for this unit is: Natalie Sciascia

Preferred contact is by email at n.sciascia@cqu.edu.au. Alternatively, I can be contacted by phone on (07) 4940 7482 or Ext. 57482.

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Quizzes (Weeks 5 & 9)

Task Description

This assessment consists of two parts to complete online via the Unit Moodle page:

  • Online Quiz Week 5 - Monday 3rd April 2023 
  • Online Quiz Week 9 - Monday 8th May 2023 


Online Quiz Week 5

You will write an online Moodle quiz to demonstrate your ability to apply the concepts and use the terminology based on content provided from Weeks 1-4 of this unit.


Question tasks will be of the same types that you will practice in weekly tutorials and weekly formative quizzes. These tasks may include analysis of projected diagrams, photographs and CT images to identify CT components and discuss data acquisition and data management in CT. Some questions may require a calculator to complete.


This quiz is scheduled to take place online via the Unit Moodle page, on Monday 3rd April, 2023. The Moodle quiz availability period will be from 10:00am - 11:00am on the stated date. Once you open the test, you will have 30 mins to complete it, up to 11:00am on 3rd April 2023. All unfinished tests will be automatically submitted at that time.


The Online Quiz Week 5 is weighted at 15% of the total unit grade.


Online Quiz Week 9

You will write an online Moodle quiz to demonstrate your ability to apply the concepts and use the terminology from Weeks 1-7 with a particular emphasis on Weeks 5-7.


Question tasks will be of the same types that you will practice in weekly tutorials and weekly formative quizzes. These tasks may include analysis of projected diagrams, photographs and CT images to discuss data acquisition, management and display, patient dose, image quality and quality assurance in CT. Some questions may require a calculator to complete.


This quiz is scheduled to take place online via the Unit Moodle page, on Monday 8th May, 2023. The Moodle quiz availability period will be from 9:45am - 11:15am on the stated date.  Once you open the test, you will have 1 hour to complete it, up to 11:15am on the 8th May 2023.  All unfinished tests will be automatically submitted at that time.


The Online Quiz Week 9 is weighted at 35% of the total unit grade.


To complete these quizzes, ensure that you have arranged to use a computer in good working order with adequate power/charged battery.


The Online Quiz Week 5 and Online Quiz Week 9 are both open book assessments. Your test responses must be your own work. 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. 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 word-for-word from ANY source, you must put that content in quotation marks and formally cite your source. Otherwise, this is plagiarism. You must undertake this test as an individual with no assistance from or discussion with others.  All incidents of academic integrity breaches will be reported as per University policy.


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 an approved extension, you will be assigned a new test date and time as soon as possible after the original test date. 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.


Number of Quizzes

2


Frequency of Quizzes


Assessment Due Date

Online Quiz Week 5 - 3rd April 2023 at 10-11am AEST, Online Quiz Week 9 - 8th May 2023 at 10-11am AEST


Return Date to Students

Feedback provided within 2 weeks of each online quiz


Weighting
50%

Assessment Criteria

Question responses will be scored on the following criteria:

  • Correct use of scientific 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
  • Evidence of critical thinking in application of concepts to specific circumstances.


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


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Discuss the processes of data acquisition and processing, image reconstruction, reformatting and display and of quality assurance testing in computed tomography
  • Operate computed tomography equipment safely and effectively, with consideration to patient dose, image quality and equipment conservation
  • Manipulate three dimensional (3D) data sets in computed tomography

2 Laboratory/Practical

Assessment Title
Practical CT Equipment Use

Task Description

The safe and competent operation of CT equipment is a vital skill that all CT radiographers need to achieve. As such, you will be expected to demonstrate these skills whilst working in the CT imaging lab.


In each week’s lab you will learn how to perform one or more of the tasks listed below as your group completes the prescribed lab activity. These tasks are:

1. Operate the gantry controls correctly

2. Use the workstation software to obtain the planning image/s

3. Use the workstation software to plan scans

4. Modify the scanning parameters

5. Perform multiplanar reformat

6. Modify image display using a variety of tools

7. Operates equipment in compliance with equipment safety protocols


By the final lab, you will need to have attained sufficient familiarity with the equipment hardware and software to carry out each listed task with minimal assistance. Not every task will be carried out in every lab and each member of the group will carry out different parts of the lab’s instructions. Therefore, you will need to ensure regular attendance at labs and regular practice outside of class time in order to ensure you can perform all tasks by the final lab.


During each lab class your lab instructor will observe your performance, will provide you brief feedback and will document any tasks that you have performed at the required level in the Practical CT Equipment Use Form. After the final lab class in Week 8 the Unit Coordinator will review the completed forms to determine whether or not you have demonstrated the ability to perform the listed tasks at the required level.


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Friday (5 May 2023) 5:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Friday (19 May 2023)


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Assessment Criteria

For each task, you are assessed on your familiarity with the:

Hardware and software controls and selection options used for the task

Sequence of steps needed to carry out the task


You will demonstrate the required level of familiarity when you are able to carry out the required sequence of activities for the task relatively independently with occasional guidance and/or correction.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Operate computed tomography equipment safely and effectively, with consideration to patient dose, image quality and equipment conservation
  • Manipulate three dimensional (3D) data sets in computed tomography

3 Online Test

Assessment Title
Final Online Test

Task Description

You will write an online Moodle test of 100 minutes to demonstrate your ability to apply the concepts and use the terminology based on content provided from all weeks of this unit.


The test will have a range of question formats including multiple choice and short to medium-length questions. Question tasks will be similar to the type that you will practice in weekly tutorials, weekly formative quizzes and online quizzes. These tasks may include analysis of projected diagrams, photographs and CT images. Some questions may require a calculator to complete.


This test is scheduled to take place online via the Unit Moodle page, on Monday 5th June, 2023. The Moodle test availability period will be from 9:45am - 12:00pm on the stated date. Once you open the test, you will have 100 minutes (1 hr 40 mins) to complete it, up to 12:00pm on the 5th June 2023. All unfinished tests will be automatically submitted at that time.


To complete the test, ensure that you have arranged to use a computer in good working order with adequate power/charged battery.


This online test is an open book assessment. Your test responses must be your own work. 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. 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 word-for-word from ANY source, you must put that content in quotation marks and formally cite your source. Otherwise, this is plagiarism. You must undertake this test as an individual with no assistance from or discussion with others. All incidents of academic integrity breaches will be reported as per University policy.


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 an approved extension, you will be assigned a new test date and time as soon as possible after the original test date. 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 Monday (5 June 2023) 12:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (16 June 2023)


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Question responses will be scored on the following criteria:

  • Correct use of scientific 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
  • Evidence of critical thinking in application of concepts to specific circumstances.


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 test.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Discuss the processes of data acquisition and processing, image reconstruction, reformatting and display and of quality assurance testing in computed tomography
  • Operate computed tomography equipment safely and effectively, with consideration to patient dose, image quality and equipment conservation
  • Discuss the design, operational features and clinical safety considerations of computed tomography equipment and of specialised imaging modalities such as angiography, ultrasonography and nuclear medicine 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?