Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Medical Applications
Code PHYS384
Coordinator Dr LJ Harkness-Brennan
Physics
Laura.Harkness@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2019-20 Level 6 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Aims

To introduce the physics principles of radiation therapy and treatment planning; to understand interactions of radiation with biological materials and detectors; to understand the need for modelling in radiobiological applications; to obtain a knowledge of electron transport; to construct a simple model of a radiation therapy application.

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) to understand the principles of radiotherapy and treatment planning

(LO2) to develop a knowledge of radiation transport and the interaction of radiation with biological tissue

(LO3) to understand the need for Monte Carlo modelling and beam modelling

(LO4) to have a knowledge of electron transport

(LO5) to have a basic understanding of radiobiology

(LO6) to have experience developing a simple radiotherapy treatment plan

Syllabus
 

Principles of radiotherapy: Review of essential interaction physics, review of relevant basic probability theory,  Introduction to radiation transport and the Boltzmann equation.

Monte Carlo Methods, requirements for random numbers, random number generation, random sampling methods, scoring and tallies, error estimation, variance reduction techniques. Electron transport including optimisation.

External beam radiotherapy: Outline of Radiotherapy modelling components Clinical beam characteristics Beam modeling for Radiotherapy treatment planning, lookup table approaches, convolution/pencil beam approaches. Treatment planning

Dosimetry and Radiobiology: Simple radiobiological principles of radiotherap  Dosimetry in healthcare applications General introduction to biological modelling, fractionation and treatment during effects, volume effects. Statistical techniques of biological model data fitting, data fits using real clinical normal tissue data, using mode l prediction data.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Lecture
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial
Description: Tutorial
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 3 - Other
Description: Support for Treatment Planning Practical
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 28

   4

     20

 52
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 98
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Written Exam There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :2  3 hours    80       
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Treatment planning practical Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :2      20       

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.