Academic Courses > DOS 514
DOS 514 - Physics Fundamentals for Medical Dosimetrists
Course Description
This course went into detail on physics topics relating to the production and measurement of ionizing radiation. It covered the subatomic processes that produce radiation, and the subatomic interactions that can occur when radiation interacts with matter. There was detailed discussion of radiation types typically used in radiation therapy, and procedures such as TG-51 and TRS 398, which cover the measurement and calibration of radiation beams.
Assessment
Assessment for this class is fairly straightforward. It is based off of a composite of quizzes, practice problem sets, and participation in guided discussions. The practice problems did not have answer keys, but we had a full week to look at each set, and a special discussion forum was set up so we could ask each other for help if a particular topic was troublesome. We also had access to an extensive ungraded practice question set that not only had answers, but explanations for each answer. This was an extremely valuable study guide. The discussion post topics encouraged us to explore our own clinical sites to get information for our posts. This was a useful experience for me, because I was able to walk around with some of our physicists to get an orientation to radiation measurement tools and techniques, which I had not seen before.
Discussions
Guided discussion topics included:
My experience with the first topic was a bit unexpected because it ended up taking me off on a tangent that ended up with me writing a tutorial page on how to style mathematical text for the web. Our class used the Desire2Learn web platform, and when I was trying to explain the difference between the two equilibrium types, I spent some time tinkering with the equation editor functions in the D2L interface so that I could illustrate the way the decay equations break down in each type of equilibrium. People asked me to explain how I had produced the equations so I created a separate discussion thread in the Student Cafe area of the class with screenshots and examples of how to write complex math equations inside D2L.
- Week 1: Transient vs. Secular Equilibrium
- Week 2: Inefficient X-Ray Production
- Week 3: Protons are a Fantastic, But Specialized Tool
- Week 4: Dosimetry Instruments for Proton Therapy
- Week 5: TG-51, TG-21, and TRS 398
My experience with the first topic was a bit unexpected because it ended up taking me off on a tangent that ended up with me writing a tutorial page on how to style mathematical text for the web. Our class used the Desire2Learn web platform, and when I was trying to explain the difference between the two equilibrium types, I spent some time tinkering with the equation editor functions in the D2L interface so that I could illustrate the way the decay equations break down in each type of equilibrium. People asked me to explain how I had produced the equations so I created a separate discussion thread in the Student Cafe area of the class with screenshots and examples of how to write complex math equations inside D2L.
- Extra Post: How to Type Fancy Equations in D2L
Reflections
At the conclusion of each course, students are asked to reflect on what they have learned about the material and about themselves. The reflection is guided by five questions:
The new knowledge and skills I gained during this course were...
For many years I have known that nuclear decay can generate various kinds of radiation, but I never understood exactly how it happened. This class explained that phenomenon on a subatomic level, and it also explained how ionizing radiation can be generated at will in devices like x-ray tubes, linear accelerators, and cyclotrons. I have also learned how different kinds of ionizing radiation interact with matter. I learned how beams of different types and energies can be measured, filtered, and characterized.
The new knowledge and skills will benefit me by...
A solid understanding of radiation physics will be one of the foundations of my career in dosimetry. As I learn to create radiation delivery plans, I will need to have an intuitive understanding of how different types of radiation will interact with different types of tissues over different distances. An understanding of the capabilities and limitations of different treatment modalities will help me understand the benefits and consequences of the choices I'll be able to make.
I struggle with...
Some of the equations involved in converting liberated charge to exposure to absorbed dose to equivalent dose are daunting. Many of the equation components used in these conversions are simply tuning factors that nudge the final number up or down slightly in order to compensate for variations in energy, equipment environmental conditions, or other factors, but the sheer number of tuning factors is a bit overwhelming. I suspect that this will become second nature once I have been looking at it for longer than a few weeks. If I can participate in a TG-51 or TRS 398 annual calibration of a treatment machine, then I think the pieces will start to fall into place quickly.
I feel pretty good about...
I put a huge amount of work into this class and I feel confident and excited about this subject. I have received good feedback on my contributions to the discussion forums, and I have enjoyed the process of sharing what I know and what I have learned.
Other reflective thoughts...
I have a tendency to notice minutiae. In my reading of this material, I have come across several instances where an idea didn't quite translate to paper because of a slip in formatting or a phrasing that didn't quite hit the mark. I have had the good fortune to be introduced to one of the editors who works on the textbook that we used, and I have been able to submit several tweaks and suggestions for the next edition. Putting on an editor's hat helped me understand the material even better because I had to reread some section several times.
The new knowledge and skills I gained during this course were...
For many years I have known that nuclear decay can generate various kinds of radiation, but I never understood exactly how it happened. This class explained that phenomenon on a subatomic level, and it also explained how ionizing radiation can be generated at will in devices like x-ray tubes, linear accelerators, and cyclotrons. I have also learned how different kinds of ionizing radiation interact with matter. I learned how beams of different types and energies can be measured, filtered, and characterized.
The new knowledge and skills will benefit me by...
A solid understanding of radiation physics will be one of the foundations of my career in dosimetry. As I learn to create radiation delivery plans, I will need to have an intuitive understanding of how different types of radiation will interact with different types of tissues over different distances. An understanding of the capabilities and limitations of different treatment modalities will help me understand the benefits and consequences of the choices I'll be able to make.
I struggle with...
Some of the equations involved in converting liberated charge to exposure to absorbed dose to equivalent dose are daunting. Many of the equation components used in these conversions are simply tuning factors that nudge the final number up or down slightly in order to compensate for variations in energy, equipment environmental conditions, or other factors, but the sheer number of tuning factors is a bit overwhelming. I suspect that this will become second nature once I have been looking at it for longer than a few weeks. If I can participate in a TG-51 or TRS 398 annual calibration of a treatment machine, then I think the pieces will start to fall into place quickly.
I feel pretty good about...
I put a huge amount of work into this class and I feel confident and excited about this subject. I have received good feedback on my contributions to the discussion forums, and I have enjoyed the process of sharing what I know and what I have learned.
Other reflective thoughts...
I have a tendency to notice minutiae. In my reading of this material, I have come across several instances where an idea didn't quite translate to paper because of a slip in formatting or a phrasing that didn't quite hit the mark. I have had the good fortune to be introduced to one of the editors who works on the textbook that we used, and I have been able to submit several tweaks and suggestions for the next edition. Putting on an editor's hat helped me understand the material even better because I had to reread some section several times.
Academic Courses > DOS 514
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Published October 12, 2014
First Semester, Pre-Internship Edited January 18, 2015 |