PCN214 Radiation Protection
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | PCN214 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $6,492 |
| International unit fee | $6,300 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | PCN214 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinator: | Jamie Trapp | j.trapp@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit covers radiation protection of humans, primarily aimed at radiation in the workplace. Topics include sources of radiation, effects of ionizing radiation on the human body, radiation protection in diagnostic radiology, and laser safety.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding in radiation protection physics.
- Critically and effectively apply advanced knowledge and skills in radiation protection to a wide range of real world contexts.
- Engage and communicate effectively with peers, professionals and the broader community about current issues related to radiation protection.
- Autonomously and with others, work to high professional, legal, and ethical standards on a wide range of problems related to radiation protection.
Content
Introduction, historical perspective and sources of radiation
Radiation protection detection and measurement (Geiger-Mueller (GM), proportional counters, scintillators, TLDs, ionization chambers, neutron detectors)
Exponential attenuation, half-value layer (HVL), inverse square law, tenth value, layer (TVL)
Shielding calculations
Operational dosimetry, e.g. equivalent dose, effective dose, etc.
Legal framework for radiation protection
Occupational, public exposure and annual limits
Emergency procedures
As low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) concept
Radioactive transport and waste management
Risk assessment and communication of risk
Learning Approaches
Lectures: Approximately 4 hours per week
Practicals: Approximately 2 hours per week
The unit uses blended learning methodology to introduce you the theoretical concepts and develop your practical skills. The face to face element focuses on real world learning and includes lectures and practicals as well as a field trip. The teaching materials will be made available on Canvas, to enable you develop the theoretical concepts at your own pace and time. Your problem solving skills will be also developed progressively and tested via online problem solving exercises. A significant amount of time is spent doing laboratory exercises with your peers, with an emphasis on the development of your practical and communication skills, where you are expected to perform tasks autonomously and/or collaboratively and work to high professional standards, taking into consideration the legal and ethical standards of the profession.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will be given timely feedback on each of the practical reports and problem solving tasks enabling you to reflect on your understanding. Additional individual or group consultations will be available on request with academics and the clinical medical physicists throughout the semester
Assessment
Overview
The development of your knowledge and skills will be assessed progressively throughout the semester via short problem solving task. You will also prepare individual reports based on your laboratory/practical exercises and an end of semester written exam will assess your theoretical knowledge.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Laboratory/Practical
Written scientific reports on authentic measurement exercises carried out in the laboratory and during the field trip.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension
Assessment: Examination
Written theory examination
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
Online problem solving tasks
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
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
2. Cember H (1984) Introduction to Health Physics, 2nd edition, Pergamon Press.
3. DeReamer R (1980) Modern Safety and Health Technology, Wiley.
4. Feinberg BN (1986) Applied Chemical Engineering, Prentice Hall.
5. Johns HE & Cunningham J (1983) The Physics of Radiology, 5th edition, Thomas Books.
6. Noz ME & Maguire GO (1979) Radiation Protection in the Radiologic and Health Sciences, Lea and Febiger.
7. The publications of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, Pergamon Press.
8. The publications of the Interational Commission on Radiological Units and Measurements.
9. Codes of Practice. National Health and Medical Research Council. Physics in Medicine.
Risk Assessment Statement
Attention will be drawn to relevant workplace health and safety issues during 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
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.PH71 Graduate Diploma in Applied Science
- Demonstrate advanced critical knowledge and specialised technical skills base on current research in medical physics
Relates to: ULO1, Examination - Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the main areas of medical physics
Relates to: ULO1 - Effectively apply advanced discipline skills in the main areas of medical physics to meet an identified medical physics problem/requirement
Relates to: ULO1 - 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: ULO2, Problem Solving Task - Systematically and critically assess current knowledge to solve complex problems within medical physics
Relates to: ULO2 - Constructively, creatively and effectively apply advanced analytical skills to deal with complex issues within the field
Relates to: ULO2 - Demonstrate creative problem solving and specialised professional skills in the domain of Medical Physics
Relates to: ULO2 - Apply knowledge and skills and use appropriate communication strategies to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a diverse audience
Relates to: ULO3, Laboratory/Practical - Communicate effectively and professionally with peers, stakeholders and the broader community
Relates to: ULO3 - Demonstrate proficiency in all modes of professional and/or scholarly communication.
Relates to: ULO3 - Engage effectively across multicultural and/or interdisciplinary domains
Relates to: ULO3 - Apply acquired knowledge and skills to work with integrity within the professional context of Medical Physics.
Relates to: ULO4, Laboratory/Practical - Make sound judgement in a range of technical functions in various specialised contexts
Relates to: ULO4 - Autonomously plan and execute tasks within a varied and specialised technical context
Relates to: ULO4 - Apply self-management skills to successfully complete complex projects
Relates to: ULO4
PH80 Master of Applied Science
- Demonstrate advanced critical knowledge and specialised technical skills based on current research in medical physics
Relates to: ULO1, Examination - Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the main areas of medical physics
Relates to: ULO1 - Critically review current research principles and methods to develop a deep understanding relevant to a specific medical physics problem
Relates to: ULO1 - Critically and effectively apply specialist discipline knowledge and skills to meet an identified medical physics problem/requirements
Relates to: ULO1 - 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, Problem Solving Task - Critically evaluate current research and research methodologies in medical physics
Relates to: ULO2 - Apply investigative research methods to generate research
Relates to: ULO2 - Synthesise multiple information sources to make sound judgements and to formulate best practice strategies and solutions using established theories
Relates to: ULO2 - Systematically, creatively and effectively deal with complex issues to solve significant problems within medical physics
Relates to: ULO2 - Constructively and creatively apply advanced analytical skills
Relates to: ULO2 - 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, Laboratory/Practical - Communicate effectively and professionally with peers, stakeholders and the broader community
Relates to: ULO3 - Demonstrate proficiency in all modes of professional and/or scholarly communication.
Relates to: ULO3 - Engage effectively across multicultural and/or interdisciplinary domains
Relates to: ULO3 - Apply acquired knowledge and skills to work with integrity within a varied and specialised professional contexts.
Relates to: Laboratory/Practical - Autonomously and ethically plan and execute tasks at a professional level
Relates to: ULO4 - Work effectively with others to meet shared goals.
Relates to: ULO4 - Apply self-management skills to successfully complete complex projects.
Relates to: ULO4