Course Outline and Syllabus
Course Title:
NM 500 PET and PET/CT Imaging
Clock Hours:
22 Didactic Hours
Quarter Units:
2 Quarter Credits
Instructor:
David G. Totah
Office Hours:
Confirm office hours with instructor and by appointment
Contact Info:
Office: (510) 231-5053
Required Text Book
Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT: Technology and Techniques, Christian & Waterstram-Rich, 2007
References include:
Principles and Practice of Positron Emission Tomography, Wahl, R.L., J.W., Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, 2002
PET in Clinical Oncology, Wieler, H.J., Coleman, R.E., Steinkopff Verlag,
Germany, 2000
Course Description
This course is designed to give the student an overall understanding of the basic principles and theories of PET and
Monoclonal Antibody imaging. Aspects of PET imaging that will be discussed include: instrumentation, quality control,
and radiation safety concerns. PET testing procedures and diagnostic assessment in the areas of Oncology, cardiac
and brain will be examined. The diagnostic and therapeutic value of monoclonal antibodies will be presented, along
with an exploration into future trends.
Course Approach
1. This course will consist of lecture/demonstrations including class participation facilitated by the instructor.
Reading assignments will precede each lecture.
2. Tests/examinations are used to allow students to demonstrate comprehension.
3. Handouts, visual aids, schematics, scans, and other images will be used to facilitate the learning process.
4. In addition to scheduled evaluations, periodic reviews will be conducted.
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Course Objectives
Course Objectives:
1. Provide student with an overall understanding of basic principles and theories of PET and Monoclonal Antibody
Imaging;
2. Introduce and develop awareness of PET instrumentation, quality control, and radiation safety concerns;
3. Examine PET testing procedures and diagnostic assessment in Oncology, cardiac, and brain.
4. Present diagnostic and therapeutic values of monoclonal antibodies, with exploration of future trends.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to
1. Describe the instrumentation utilized in PET technology and its quality control.
2. Compare and contrast PET technology to single-photon technologies.
3. Describe the basics of attenuation in PET, including traditional and CT tools, as well as demonstrate an
understanding of PET/CT hybridization and fusion.
4. Understand the various diagnostic tests used in PET imaging today, including oncology, brain, cardiac and
monoclonal antibody applications.
5. Understand radiation physics, production, and protection related to PET isotopes.
6. Know, understand, and characterize PET radiopharmaceuticals including their production, use, safety, and
monitoring.
7. Understand and appreciate the possibilities the future may have in store for PET imaging.
8. Have awareness of scheduling and Medicare requirements for PET patients.
9. Discuss image acquisition techniques including modes and gating.
10. Appreciate the role of the technologist, and the care in their techniques to produce quality images,
quantitative analyses and image reconstructions.
11. Evaluation System
KPSAHS Grading Policy
Letter
Grade
Percentage in Performance
Grade Points
A
94-100
4.00
A-
90-93
3.70
B+
88-89
3.30
B
84-88
3.00
B-
80-83
2.70
C+
78-79
2.30
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C
Attendance and Participation
Quizzes
Final Exam
70-77
2.00
20% of grade
40% of total grade
40% of total grade
KPSAHS Academic Policies
Department Grading Policy:
The average grade of all practical exams must be 70% or greater to gain credit for this course. The final grade is
based upon passing (separately) the written exams and practical exams. One grade is assigned for the entire
course. A final grade of “F” will be assigned to students averaging less than 70% in either the written or practical
exams.
Cheating and Plagiarism:
Any form of cheating or plagiarism is serious and will not be tolerated. Academic achievement and proficiency in a
subject matter cannot be achieved through cheating and/or plagiarism. Any student, who knowingly cheats,
plagiarized and allows/aids another student in cheating or plagiarism will receive up to and/or including the following:


A failing grade on a single assignment, test, and/or final course grade
Suspension or dismissal from the program
Honesty is a necessary trait in all health professionals. KPSAHS expects all students to practice honest and ethical
behavior. Inability to fulfill this expectation will result in dismissal from the program.
Attendance Policy and Exam Make-Up Policy:
As stated in the Student Handbook, students are expected to attend all classes and labs. Attendance will be taken at
the beginning of each class period. A sign-in sheet is used to record daily attendance. It is the student’s
responsibility to sign in at each class (failure to do so will constitute an absence). Students are required to maintain
90% attendance in the course. Students who miss 10% will have their course grade lowered one full grade. Students
who fail to attend 11% - 20% of the didactic time will have their course grade lowered two full grades. Any student
who misses more than 20% will receive a failing grade for the course and may be subject to further disciplinary
action. Extenuating circumstances should be brought to the attention of the instructor.
* Two absences OR more than two tardies OR a combination of the two will result in a deduction of one letter
grade.
The student is responsible for contacting his/her instructor to determine whether make-up work must be completed.
Furthermore, the student is responsible for gathering lecture notes from a student peer.
Students who are absent on a test day must notify the instructor by phone prior to the exam in order to be allowed to
take the exam at a later date. It is at the discretion of each individual instructor as to whether or not an exam can be
made-up, regardless of the reason for the absence. The student will be expected to take the exam on the day of
return and will have their test grade reduced by one. Failure to take any exam may result in an incomplete grade for
the course. Only one exam may be taken late after an excused absence. If an exam is missed due to an
unexcused absence, it may not be made up and a zero grade will be given for that exam. An unannounced quiz
missed due to any type of absence may not be made up and a zero grade will be assigned. Assignments submitted
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one day late will receive 50% of the total earned grade. Assignments submitted after that will receive no grade.
Students absent on the day an assignment is due shall be prepared to turn in their assignment on return.
The final exam for this class will be given at the time and date specified and must be taken at that time.
Classroom Management
Use of all electronic devices is prohibited during class. Students found to be using such devices in class (or leaving
lecture to respond to phone calls, texts, or pages) will be asked to leave the class and an absence will be
documented for that day.
Devices to record lectures will be allowed at the discretion of the instructor.
There are no bathroom breaks during tests or quizzes.
Finals Week Attendance and Testing Policy
1. All final exams will be comprehensive in content.
2. Students should not schedule any activities which conflict with finals week activities: e.g. - plan out of town trips,
schedule medical or dental appt., plan family activities, or other events which will prevent attendance during the
entire finals week.
3. The scheduled time for exam(s) will be determined for each quarter. This schedule will be strictly adhered to for all
written exams. Lab practical exams are scheduled during the quarter.
4. Mandatory attendance for all students is required. Failure to attend due to an unexcused absence for the
scheduled exam will result in a zero and an “F” being assigned and averaged into the final grade for the course.
5. Students with an excused absence (documented medical emergency) will not be allowed to take the exam at a
later date, but instead will be assigned a grade based upon all grades earned to date for that course.
6. There are no bathroom breaks allowed during the final exam.
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