Dos 514: Fundamentals of Physics
Course Description:
This course focused on the basic fundamental principles of radiation physics through Kahn’s The Physics of Radiation Therapy. It included but was not limited to calculating measured dose, machine calibration, and dosimetry instrumentation.
Course Assessment:
Course assessment came from reading the chapters in Khan’s book and doing practice problems and quizzes that coincided with the chapters in the book for that week. There was also a weekly discussion post to go along with the topic in the chapters being read in the book. Other resources (such as You-Tube) were added to help one better understand some topics. One example of our practice problems can be found HERE.
Course Discussions:
Each week we were asked to participate in a discussion. A question was asked and a discussion followed.
Week 1 Discussion: Pick a radioactive isotope and give an example of radioactivity used within the radiation oncology department (or the treatment of cancer). Discuss the specific radioactivity, the decay properties, and various other details.
Week 2 Discussion: How did Roentgen discover x-rays?
Week 3 Discussion Pick either 6MV or 18MV. For a linear accelerator, is there some neutron production because of this energy? How do you shield for neutrons? What danger does neutron exposure pose for the radiation therapists? Please explain.
Week 4 Discussion: Instruments: What dosimetry instruments are used in your department/clinical internship setting? What specifically are they used for?
Week 5 Discussion: Discuss the role of AAPM TG-51. Why did AAPM TG-51 replace TG-21 protocol, and what calibration protocol came before TG-21? What protocol do other countries use to calibrate their linear accelerators. Be specific in your answer. This may take some additional research. Which protocol does your facility follow? Why?
Self-Reflection:
At the end of each course, students are able to sit and reflect on the class and how it has affected their education and growth.
The new knowledge and skill I gained was mostly a refresher of therapy school physics but what seemed more in-depth of fundamental particles of radiation physics. I learned more in-depth the dosimetry instruments used to calibrate the machines and to perform quality assurance checks on plans.
The new knowledge and skill will benefit me by taking some of these fundamental practices of quality assurance and applying them in the clinical site.
I struggle with terminology and memorization of all the terms. The wording in the book was not always easy to follow and the quizzes and practice problems I felt could be a little ambiguous making them hard to answer.
I feel pretty good about the course now that it is coming to an end and it is all coming together. This was one of the first classes I’ve taken in years much less an online class, now I feel I have a better grasp of how to tackle an online class and how to better apply my time and studies.
Other Reflective thoughts… The beginning of this class was very hard for me I really had to re-teach myself how to study and how to manage my time wisely. This class has helped me grow a lot as a student as far as learning how to help myself learn the material
Course Description:
This course focused on the basic fundamental principles of radiation physics through Kahn’s The Physics of Radiation Therapy. It included but was not limited to calculating measured dose, machine calibration, and dosimetry instrumentation.
Course Assessment:
Course assessment came from reading the chapters in Khan’s book and doing practice problems and quizzes that coincided with the chapters in the book for that week. There was also a weekly discussion post to go along with the topic in the chapters being read in the book. Other resources (such as You-Tube) were added to help one better understand some topics. One example of our practice problems can be found HERE.
Course Discussions:
Each week we were asked to participate in a discussion. A question was asked and a discussion followed.
Week 1 Discussion: Pick a radioactive isotope and give an example of radioactivity used within the radiation oncology department (or the treatment of cancer). Discuss the specific radioactivity, the decay properties, and various other details.
Week 2 Discussion: How did Roentgen discover x-rays?
Week 3 Discussion Pick either 6MV or 18MV. For a linear accelerator, is there some neutron production because of this energy? How do you shield for neutrons? What danger does neutron exposure pose for the radiation therapists? Please explain.
Week 4 Discussion: Instruments: What dosimetry instruments are used in your department/clinical internship setting? What specifically are they used for?
Week 5 Discussion: Discuss the role of AAPM TG-51. Why did AAPM TG-51 replace TG-21 protocol, and what calibration protocol came before TG-21? What protocol do other countries use to calibrate their linear accelerators. Be specific in your answer. This may take some additional research. Which protocol does your facility follow? Why?
Self-Reflection:
At the end of each course, students are able to sit and reflect on the class and how it has affected their education and growth.
The new knowledge and skill I gained was mostly a refresher of therapy school physics but what seemed more in-depth of fundamental particles of radiation physics. I learned more in-depth the dosimetry instruments used to calibrate the machines and to perform quality assurance checks on plans.
The new knowledge and skill will benefit me by taking some of these fundamental practices of quality assurance and applying them in the clinical site.
I struggle with terminology and memorization of all the terms. The wording in the book was not always easy to follow and the quizzes and practice problems I felt could be a little ambiguous making them hard to answer.
I feel pretty good about the course now that it is coming to an end and it is all coming together. This was one of the first classes I’ve taken in years much less an online class, now I feel I have a better grasp of how to tackle an online class and how to better apply my time and studies.
Other Reflective thoughts… The beginning of this class was very hard for me I really had to re-teach myself how to study and how to manage my time wisely. This class has helped me grow a lot as a student as far as learning how to help myself learn the material