Nuclear Instrumentation: PHYS 561
Spring 2015
Schedule Number 22520
COURSE INFORMATION
Class Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
Class Times: Lecture 2:00-4:50 pm, Lab: 3:00-5:40 pm
Class Location: P-245
Professor: M. Tambasco, Ph.D., MCCPM
Contact Information: mtambasco@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours Days: Tuesday and Thursday
Office Hours Times (and by appointment): 3:15-4:30
Office Hours Location: P-139
Course Overview
Description from the Official Course Catalog:
Radiation detection, measurement and spectroscopy. Ionization chambers, GM and proportional counters, scintillation and
semiconductor detectors, and thermoluminescent dosimetry.
Description of the Purpose and Course Content:
This course covers introductory fundamental and practical concepts in radiation treatment planning. The course will consist of
lectures, labs, and observation. The purpose will be to give students introductory knowledge and hands on experience in
clinical treatment planning for external beam radiotherapy. Students are expected to know basic anatomy. It is strongly
advised that students take an anatomy course before taking this course. The following topics will be covered.
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Introduction: Process, Equipment, and Personnel
Volume Definition (GTV, CTV, and PTV)
Radiation dose Specification
Patient Positioning and Immobilization
Patient Data Acquisition and Simulation
Treatment Planning Algorithms
Clinical Considerations for Photon Beams
Treatment Plan Evaluation
Treatment Time and Monitor Unit Calculations
Organs at Risk & Normal Tissue Tolerances
Wedges, Bolus, and Compensators
Contour Effects
Inhomogeneity Effects
Beam Combinations and Clinical Applications
Pacemakers & Defibrillators (Lecture/Lab)
Prostate Cancer and Treatment Planning (Lecture/Lab)
Breast Cancer and Treatment Planning (Lecture/Lab)
Lung Cancer and Treatment Planning (Lecture/Lab)
Head & Neck Cancers and Treatment Planning (Lecture/Lab)
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course the student will know the following for various tumor sites:
1. The indication for external photon beam radiation therapy.
2. Intent of the radiotherapy for and associated dose and fractionation schemes.
3. Immobilization and simulation.
4. Isocenter and ICRU reference point meanings and locations.
5. GTV, CTV, and PTV.
6. The effects of window and level on visualizing the CT scan for contouring the target.
7. Organs at risk, their TD 5/5 values for various endpoints.
8. Contouring organs at risk and using Boolean operators to define structures of interest.
9. Typical doses and fractionation schemes.
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Beam energy and beam arrangements.
Monitor unit (MU) calculation.
Evaluating a treatment plan using the isodose curves, the dose volume histogram, and dose statistics.
Relevant physics issues.
How to construct basic treatment plans using the Eclipse™ treatment planning system.
Real Life Relevance:
Radiation therapy is one of the main modes of cancer treatment, and each patient undergoing radiation therapy must have a
treatment plan created for the treatment. Learning the physics, hands on application, and problem solving in radiation
treatment planning gives this course real life relevance in helping to treat and cure patients with cancer.
Relation to Other Courses:
This course should be taken concurrently or after Radiation Therapy Physics (PHYS 670A) and an anatomy course. It is a core
requirement for the CAMPEP Accredited M.S. Medical Physics Graduate Program for students in the Radiation Therapy
specialty, and complements other courses in the program that relate to the application of radiation to cancer treatment and
imaging.
Enrollment Information
Prerequisites:
Concurrent registration in Radiation Therapy Physics (PHYS 670A), and a concurrent or previous course in anatomy, or consent
from the instructor.
Adding/Dropping Procedures:
The course must be added before the end of the second week of the semester. Dropping procedures will follow the Physics
Department guidelines.
Course Materials
Required Materials:
Chapter 7 from: “Radiation Oncology Physics: a handbook for teachers and students”, E.B. Podgorsak and G.H. Hartmann, IAEA
Publication. PDF available for free download at:
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1196_web.pdf
PDF versions of the PowerPoint lectures presented in class will be made available to the students on Blackboard.
Recommended Materials:
F. Khan and B. J. Gerbi, “Treatment Planning in Radiation Oncology,” 2011, 3rd Edition.
A. Barrett, J. Dobbs, S. Morris, T. Roques, “Practical Radiotherapy Planning,” 2009, 4th Edition.
F.M. Khan, “The Physics of Radiation Therapy,” 2010, 4th Edition.
J.T. Bushberg, “The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging,” 2002, 2nd Edition.
Lectures:
Course Structure and Conduct
Style of the Course:
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The classes will take the form of lectures, labs and discussion of the material with the focus on understanding.
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Students are expected to have reviewed all material before class and be capable of answering questions in class.
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Technology Utilized in the Course: Blackboard
Course Assessment and Grading
Approximate Due Dates for Final Exam:
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Laboratory assignments: One due every month
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Final Exam: 1st or 2rd week of May
Scored activities and weighting by percentage of total score:
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Attendance and Participation: 10%
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Laboratory assignments: 50%
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Final Examination: 40%
Grading Scale:
Students will be evaluated based on attendance and participation (10%), midterm (40%) and final examination (50%). The
following grading scheme will be used:
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
D-
90 – 100%
80 – 89%
76 – 79%
74 – 75%
70 – 73%
66 – 69%
64 – 65%
60 – 63%
56 – 59%
54 – 55%
50 – 53%
Excused Absence Make-up Policies:
Students should have an extraordinary reason (e.g., illness, death in the family, etc.), with proof, to miss a laboratory or final
exam. A make-up for such a case will be arranged with the Professor.
Other Course Policies
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Students are expected to attend and participate in all classes and laboratories, unless there is a valid reason to be
absent. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. The use of electronic devices (e.g., cell
phones, laptops, etc.) is not permitted during class time.
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If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility
to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of your accommodations,
you should contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not
retroactive, and that I cannot provide accommodations based upon disability until I have received an accommodation
letter from Student Disability Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.