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 such as data acquisition, processing, reconstruction and display. You will further explore dose and image optimisation strategies and quality assurance testing, including image artefacts. You will also be introduced to the physical and operational principles of advanced and/or newly emerging medical imaging modalities such as angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging, nuclear medicine imaging, positron emission tomography CT, EOS and spectral CT.
Details
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 - 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 Teaching team feedback
Addition of theory of new and emerging imaging modalities will enhance relevance of content to advancements in new technologies.
Review the current unit weekly schedule and content to allow space to introduce new technology content.
Feedback from Unit coordinator and student feedback
The Week 5 Online Quiz encourages early student engagement with the unit material.
Maintain the application of the online quiz early in the term to motivate students to engage with unit content and to provide them with timely assessment feedback.
Feedback from Unit coordinator and teaching team feedback
The greater proportion of higher grade results may be attributed to the assessments all being online open-book tests.
Replace one of the online tests with an in-class closed book test to better assess factual recall of the unit content.
- Discuss processes such as data acquisition, processing, image reconstruction, reformatting, display, quality assurance testing and artefacts in computed tomography
- Perform and explain the safe and effective operation of computed tomography equipment, with consideration to patient dose, image quality and equipment conservation.
- Apply underlying knowledge to manipulate multi-planar and three dimensional (3D) data sets in computed tomography.
- Discuss the design, operational features and clinical safety considerations of computed tomography equipment and advanced medical imaging modalities such as angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging, nuclear medicine imaging, positron emission tomography CT, EOS and spectral CT.
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 5.1 a-d, f
- Domain 5.2 e
- Domain 5.3 a-c
- Domain 5.4 a, c
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 - In-class Test(s) - 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
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
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
The textbook - Computed Tomography for Technologists, will also be required for Imaging Procedures 3 (MEDI13002) during the same term.
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.
n.sciascia@cqu.edu.au
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 resources available on the unit Moodle site
Events and Submissions/Topic
CT Practical Lab, on-campus tutorial
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 resources available on the unit Moodle site
Events and Submissions/Topic
CT Practical Lab, on-campus tutorial
Module/Topic
Data Management in CT - Reconstruction
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
CT Practical Lab, on-campus tutorial
Module/Topic
Data Management in CT - Reformation
Chapter
Recommended resources available on the unit Moodle site
Events and Submissions/Topic
CT Practical Lab, on-campus tutorial
Module/Topic
Data Display in CT
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
CT Practical Lab
Online Quiz Week 5 - Friday 5th April 2024 at 10am-12pm AEST
Module/Topic
Break Week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Image Quality and Patient Dose in CT
Chapter
Chapter 14 - Radiation Dosimetry in CT
Events and Submissions/Topic
CT Practical Lab, on-campus tutorial
Module/Topic
CT Quality Assurance
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
CT Practical Lab, on-campus tutorial
Module/Topic
CT Artefacts
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
CT Practical Lab, on-campus tutorial
Assessment 2 - Practical CT Equipment Use Due: Week 8 Friday (3 May 2024) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Imaging equipment for specialised applications: Spectral CT, EOS & DSA
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online Quiz Week 9 - Wednesday 8th May 2024 at 9-11am AEST
Module/Topic
Imaging equipment for specialised applications: Ultrasound & MRI
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
On-campus tutorial
Module/Topic
Imaging equipment for specialised applications: PET CT & Nuclear Medicine
Chapter
Recommended resources available on the unit Moodle site
Events and Submissions/Topic
On-campus tutorial
Module/Topic
Consolidation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
On-campus tutorial
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
This unit is delivered in on-campus mode at Mackay Ooralea campus from Weeks 1 to 12. The final In-class Test will be held on campus on Monday of Week 13.
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 to ensure completion of CT safety induction. Tutorials commence on campus from Week 1 onwards. Tutorials will not be recorded.
Each week's tutorial and lab activity builds on the content of the pre-recorded lectures and other learning resources, 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, which equates to an average of 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.
1 Online Quiz(zes)
This assessment consists of two parts to complete online via the Unit Moodle page:
- Online Quiz Week 5 - Friday 5th April 2024
- Online Quiz Week 9 - Wednesday 8th May 2024
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, lab classes and formative quizzes. These tasks may include analysis of 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 Friday 5th April 2024. The Moodle quiz availability period will be from 10:00am - 2:00pm AEST on the stated date. Once you open the test, you will have 30 mins to complete it, up to 2:00pm on 5th April 2024. All unfinished tests will be automatically submitted at that time. Note that if you start the test less than 30 minutes prior to the closing time, the quiz will close at the stated time and you will have less than 30 minutes to complete the quiz.
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 1-8 with a particular emphasis on Weeks 5-8.
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 diagrams, photographs and CT images to discuss data acquisition, management and display, patient dose, image quality, quality assurance and artefacts in CT. Some questions may require a calculator to complete.
This quiz is scheduled to take place online via the Unit Moodle page, on Wednesday 8th May 2024. The Moodle quiz availability period will be from 9:00am - 11:00am AEST on the stated date. Once you open the test, you will have 1 hour to complete it, up to 11:00am on the 8th May 2024. All unfinished tests will be automatically submitted at that time. Note that if you start the test less than 60 minutes prior to the closing time, the quiz will close at the stated time and you will have less than 60 minutes to complete the quiz.
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.
2
Online Quiz Week 5 - 5th April 2024 at 10am-2pm AEST, Online Quiz Week 9 - 8th May 2024 at 9-11am AEST
Feedback provided within 2 weeks of each online quiz
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.
- Discuss processes such as data acquisition, processing, image reconstruction, reformatting, display, quality assurance testing and artefacts in computed tomography
- Perform and explain the safe and effective operation of computed tomography equipment, with consideration to patient dose, image quality and equipment conservation.
- Apply underlying knowledge to manipulate multi-planar and three dimensional (3D) data sets in computed tomography.
2 Laboratory/Practical
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. Operate 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 to ensure you can perform all tasks by the final lab.
During each lab class your lab instructor will observe your performance, provide you brief feedback and 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.
Week 8 Friday (3 May 2024) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 10 Friday (17 May 2024)
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.
- Perform and explain the safe and effective operation of computed tomography equipment, with consideration to patient dose, image quality and equipment conservation.
- Apply underlying knowledge to manipulate multi-planar and three dimensional (3D) data sets in computed tomography.
3 In-class Test(s)
This assessment is an in-class, closed-book, online Moodle test timetabled to take place on campus on Monday of Week 13.
As health care professionals, radiographers must consider many variables during the imaging process and be able to apply their technical knowledge and skills to solve problems as they present clinically.
The test will allow you 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 and lab classes, weekly formative quizzes and online quizzes. These tasks may include analysis of diagrams, photographs and CT images. Some questions may require a calculator to complete.
This is a 100 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. Note that if you start the test less than 100 minutes prior to the closing time, the quiz will close at the stated time and you will have less than 100 minutes to complete the quiz.
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.
Review/Exam Week Monday (3 June 2024) 1:00 pm AEST
Feedback provided within 2 weeks
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.
- Discuss processes such as data acquisition, processing, image reconstruction, reformatting, display, quality assurance testing and artefacts in computed tomography
- Perform and explain the safe and effective operation of computed tomography equipment, with consideration to patient dose, image quality and equipment conservation.
- Apply underlying knowledge to manipulate multi-planar and three dimensional (3D) data sets in computed tomography.
- Discuss the design, operational features and clinical safety considerations of computed tomography equipment and advanced medical imaging modalities such as angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging, nuclear medicine imaging, positron emission tomography CT, EOS and spectral CT.
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?
