PCN113 Radiation Physics

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This unit includes the following: radioactivity and the interaction of ionising radiation with matter; applied radiation counting techniques; radiation detectors; radiation dosimetry.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of radiation physics and radiation detectors.
2. Describe and apply the principles of a broad range of radiation detectors and dosimeters in a real world context.
3. Communicate effectively and professionally with peers, stakeholders and the broader community on issues related to radiation detection and measurement.
4. Demonstrate the ability to work efficiently, autonomously and collaboratively with others to complete tasks.

Content

Learning Approaches

A blended learning model will be used for delivering this unit.
Online and/or face to face lectures, resources, activities and personal study: 4 - 6 hours per week
Consultation: 2 hours per week
Practicals: 4 x 3 hours
This highly technical unit is designed to progressively introduce and develop key concepts in radiation and the associated instrumentation and to develop your applied skills. Online resources and activities delivered through Canvas will guide you through the theoretical concepts and prepare you for the practical experiences.

They online material will introduce and illustrate the key concepts using, real examples, practical online demonstrations and visual aids.
Your self paced online learning will be supported by the weekly consultation sessions, collaboration and interaction with your peers and the practical experiences.
Practical experiences will operate in laboratories and online and will be closely linked to the unit content, enabling you to apply the theory that you have learned to the relevant instrumentation. Practical experiences are designed for collaborative, real world learning where you will have the opportunity to work in groups and to think creatively, applying industrial and research grade equipment in research laboratories to authentic radiation measurement activities. Although you will work in groups during the practical experiences, your report and analysis of your results will be assessed on individual basis. You will also develop your communication skills during these practical experiences where you are expected to clearly and professionally articulate your knowledge with your peers. These communication skills will also be assessed in the Viva voce (oral exam).

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will be given feedback on your progress throughout the unit through the following methods:

• Feedback on the regular problem solving tasks
• Feedback on formative online activities through online channels or in person.
• Peer and teacher feedback on the written practical reports providing an opportunity to reflect and evaluate your theoretical understanding, practical, and communication skills.
• Informal formative feedback in practical sessions on the development of your practical skills.
• Individual or group consultation on request.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment will give you an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding and deeper learning of the unit material and to connect theory with experimental and professional practice. The activities undertaken during the practicals aim to develop your skills in the measurement of ionising radiation in real world situations that the professional medical or health physicist encounters and the assessment is designed to assess the development of these skills.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Examination (Written)

Final written examination at the end of semester.

Assessment: Laboratory/Practical

Laboratory Report
Experimental work in the radiological laboratory or through guided online/virtual laboratory experiences will be assessed through a scientific report by the individual.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Viva Voce

Unscripted discussion between the student and a panel on topic(s) in radiation physics.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

Attention will be drawn to relevant workplace health and safety issues in lectures and practicals. Radiological and x-ray laboratory safety rules will be made available. There are no other out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

PH71 Graduate Diploma in Applied Science

1. Demonstrate advanced critical knowledge and specialised technical skills base on current research in medical physics
   Relates to: ULO1, Examination (Written), Viva Voce
2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the main areas of medical physics
   Relates to: ULO1
3. Effectively apply advanced discipline skills in the main areas of medical physics to meet an identified medical physics problem/requirement
   Relates to: ULO1
4. Demonstrate higher order cognitive skills to critically assess knowledge and provide creative solutions to complex problems in research or the professional practice of medical physics
   Relates to: Laboratory/Practical
5. Systematically and critically assess current knowledge to solve complex problems within medical physics
   Relates to: ULO2
6. Constructively, creatively and effectively apply advanced analytical skills to deal with complex issues within the field
   Relates to: ULO2
7. Demonstrate creative problem solving and specialised professional skills in the domain of Medical Physics
   Relates to: ULO2
8. Apply knowledge and skills and use appropriate communication strategies to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a diverse audience
   Relates to: ULO3, Viva Voce
9. Communicate effectively and professionally with peers, stakeholders and the broader community
   Relates to: ULO3
10. Demonstrate proficiency in all modes of professional and/or scholarly communication.
    Relates to: ULO3
11. Engage effectively across multicultural and/or interdisciplinary domains
    Relates to: ULO3
12. Apply acquired knowledge and skills to work with integrity within the professional context of Medical Physics.
    Relates to: ULO4, Laboratory/Practical
13. Make sound judgement in a range of technical functions in various specialised contexts
    Relates to: ULO4
14. Autonomously plan and execute tasks within a varied and specialised technical context
    Relates to: ULO4
15. Apply self-management skills to successfully complete complex projects
    Relates to: ULO4

PH80 Master of Applied Science

1. Demonstrate advanced critical knowledge and specialised technical skills based on current research in medical physics
   Relates to: ULO1, Examination (Written), Viva Voce
2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the main areas of medical physics
   Relates to: ULO1
3. Critically review current research principles and methods to develop a deep understanding relevant to a specific medical physics problem
   Relates to: ULO1
4. Critically and effectively apply specialist discipline knowledge and skills to meet an identified medical physics problem/requirements
   Relates to: ULO1
5. Demonstrate higher order cognitive skills to critically assess knowledge and provide creative solutions to complex problems in research and/or the professional practice of medical physics
   Relates to: ULO2, Laboratory/Practical
6. Critically evaluate current research and research methodologies in medical physics
   Relates to: ULO2
7. Apply investigative research methods to generate research
   Relates to: ULO2
8. Synthesise multiple information sources to make sound judgements and to formulate best practice strategies and solutions using established theories
   Relates to: ULO2
9. Systematically, creatively and effectively deal with complex issues to solve significant problems within medical physics
   Relates to: ULO2
10. Constructively and creatively apply advanced analytical skills
    Relates to: ULO2
11. Apply their knowledge and skills to design and use appropriate communication strategies to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a diverse range of audience
    Relates to: ULO3, Viva Voce
12. Communicate effectively and professionally with peers, stakeholders and the broader community
    Relates to: ULO3
13. Demonstrate proficiency in all modes of professional and/or scholarly communication.
    Relates to: ULO3
14. Engage effectively across multicultural and/or interdisciplinary domains
    Relates to: ULO3
15. Apply acquired knowledge and skills to work with integrity within a varied and specialised professional contexts.
    Relates to: ULO4, Laboratory/Practical
16. Autonomously and ethically plan and execute tasks at a professional level
    Relates to: ULO4
17. Work effectively with others to meet shared goals.
    Relates to: ULO4
18. Apply self-management skills to successfully complete complex projects.
    Relates to: ULO4