Presentation College
Department of Allied Health
RT 224-1/FM – Radiation Physics – Fall 2007
Monday & Wednesday 1400-1540
Location – NU 24 Aberdeen; FM 205 Fairmont
4 Credits
Instructor: Bob Hagen, MSRS, R.T. (R)
Office Location: E359
Office Phone: 605-229-8355
Office Hours: Mon. 1300-1400, Tue. 1100-1200, Wed. 1300-1400, Thu. 1200-1300
E-mail – robert.hagen@presentation.edu
Required Textbook: Radiologic Science for Technologists & Workbook for same, 8th
Ed., by Stewart Bushong, 2004, Mosby.
Course Description:
Atomic structure, electricity, magnetism, forms of energy, algebraic equations, and units
of measurement are studied. Production of x-rays and their interaction with matter is an
essential part of this course. X-ray generating equipment, circuitry, and x-ray beam
characteristics are examined.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:
1) Describe electron-target interaction in x-ray production.
2) Graph x-ray emission spectra and show effects of mA, kVp, voltage waveform,
filtration, and target material.
3) * Apply algebraic equations to radiation physics concepts.
4) Explain factors affecting x-ray beam quantity and quality.
5) Label x-ray machine circuitry diagrams.
6) Apply methods of avoiding x-ray tube failure.
7) Determine x-ray beam intensity for various situations.
8) Illustrate various x-ray interactions with matter.
9) Summarize how Compton scatter and photoelectric interaction affect radiographic
quality.
Goals:
This course meets Presentation College General Baccalaureate Education Program goals:
#1—Graduates will read with understanding and think critically.
#2—Graduates will express themselves clearly, correctly, and succinctly in writing.
#3—Graduates will identify and solve quantitative problems through application of
mathematical principles.
#6—Graduates will understand how knowledge is obtained in a natural science and
demonstrate the critical reading and thinking skills necessary for such understanding, &
#9—Graduates will show proficiency in the use of technology.
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Relation of Course to Assessment Plan:
Goal 1: To prepare students to achieve professional competence in a variety of radiologic
procedures. Objective 1: The program will prepare students to meet or exceed
professional specifications established by the ARRT. One outcome measure is the ARRT
scaled score.
One ARRT content category is Equipment Operation & Maintenance. There will be 30
questions on the ARRT Radiography Exam (15% of the exam) that are related to the
topics covered in Radiation Physics. The desired result is that each student will achieve
80 or greater as a scaled score in this category.
Goal 2: To provide the R.T. faculty & students an environment that encourages the
pursuit of professional excellence. Objective 1: Faculty & students will use reading,
writing, speaking, listening, data, media, and computers to communicate effectively with
various audiences for a variety of purposes. One outcome measure is critical thinking,
problem solving, &/or active learning strategies are incorporated into course work. In
Radiation Physics, all units will include equations and graphs for use in problem solving.
The student will use course content to apply principles of radiography to a given
situation. It is an expectation of faculty that all students read the assigned content, apply
knowledge of the content and answer exam questions with greater than 78%.
Course Schedule:
Day:
Date:
Topic:
Assignment:
Wed. 8-29
Syllabus; expectations; access to Web-CT
concepts of radiation; matter &
energy; sources of ionizing radiation;
review of radiation control practices
(Chap 1.)
Wed. 9-5
Math review; mAs calculations;
graphing; numeric prefixes;
scientific notation; special
radiologic units (Chap. 2)
Read Chap. 1 & 2
Read Chap. 3
WS for Sept. 12th
Mon. 9-10
Unit systems; velocity; acceleration;
motion; weight; work; power; energy;
heat (Chap. 3)
Wed. 9-12
Review of quantities, units & equations Study all unit materials
For review
Mon. 9-17
Review Chap. 1-3
Study for Test
Wed. 9-19
Test – Basic Concepts; Math Review;
Special Units; Mechanics
Read Chap. 4
3
Mon. 9-24
The Atom – history; fundamental
particles; atomic nomenclature
nuclear arrangement; types of ionizing
radiation; radioactivity; (Chap. 4)
Wed. 9-26
Wave equation; electromagnetic
spectrum; (inverse square law);
Planck’s quantum theory;
Einstein’s relativistic equation
(Chap. 5)
WS for Sept. 29th
Mon. 10-1
Problem solving session
Study Chap. 4 & 5
Wed. 10-3
Review Chap. 4 & 5
Study for Test
Mon. 10-8
NO CLASS Native American Day – Fall Break
Wed. 10-10
Test – Atom & Electromagnetic Radiation
Mon. 10-15
Electrostatics; electrodynamics; Ohm’s WS for Oct. 20th;
Law; series & parallel circuits;
alternating & direct current;
Read Chap. 7
magnetism (Chap. 6)
Wed. 10-17
Volta; Oerstad; Faraday;
self & mutual induction;
transformers; autotransformers
(Chap. 7)
Study all unit materials
for review
Mon. 10-22
Review of Chap. 6 & 7
Study Chap. 6 & 7
Wed. 10-24
Test – Electricity, Magnetism, &
Electromagnetism
Read Chap. 8
Mon. 10-29
Operating console; timer circuit;
H.V. transformer; 3-phase power;
x-ray circuitry rectification (Chap. 8)
WS for Nov. 3rd
Wed.. 10-31
X-ray tube parts & functions;
causes of tube failure;
tube rating charts (Chap. 9)
Study all unit materials
for review
Mon. 11-5
Circuitry review; problem solving;
Review of Chap. 8 & 9
Read Chap. 5
Read Chap. 6
Study Chap. 8 & 9
4
Wed. 11-7
Test – X-ray Unit & X-ray Tube
Read Chap. 10
Mon. 11-12
Characteristic & Bremsstrahlung
x-ray production;
x-ray emission spectra & factors
affecting each (Chap. 10)
Read Chap. 11
Wed. 11-14
X-ray quantity & quality & factors
affecting each (Chap. 11)
Mon. 11-19
X-ray interactions with matter;
relative v. absolute probability;
differential absorption (Chap. 12)
Wed. 11-21
No Class Thanksgiving Break
Mon. 11-26
Review Questions Chap, 10, 11, 12
Wed. 11-28
Review Chap. 10, 11, 12
Mon. 12-3
Test – X-ray Production; X-ray Emission;
X-ray Interaction with Matter
Wed. 12-5
Review for Final Exam
Study for Final Exam
Mon. 12-10
FINAL EXAM
Retain Information for DTP
Exams & ARRT Exam!
Read Chap. 12
WS for Nov. 29th
Study Chap. 10, 11, 12
Study Chap. 10, 11, 12
Study for Final Exam
This schedule is subject to change; changes would be announced during class.
Grades:
Grades are based on cumulative points earned. Graded worksheets will have a maximum
value of approximately 300 points. There will be five unit exams and a cumulative final
exam with a maximum value of 100 points each for a total of approximately 900 points.
Class participation will account for 10% of your final grade.
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
Percent
95-100
94
93
88-92
87
86
78-85
Keep track of your grade
Possible
Score
100
_____
100
_____
100
_____
100
_____
100
_____
100
_____
5
C - 77
D + 76
D
71-75
D - 70
~ 300 WSs
_____
~ 900 total
_____
+ bonus points
_____
= total points earned _____
divided by possible points = %
No individual student will have the opportunity to earn extra credit for special projects
above and beyond regular course work as outlined.
Attendance:
Students must attend class unless a reasonable excuse is given to instructor prior to class.
The student must read assigned material before class so that (s)he can actively participate
in class discussions. It is always the responsibility of the student to check with
classmates to learn what has been missed whenever an absence is necessary. Attendance
will be recorded at the beginning of each class. At the end of each class, the instructor
will call on individual students to answer sample test questions. Bonus points may be
given for correct responses.
If a student is missing on a scheduled test day and has not given the instructor a
reasonable excuse, five points will be deducted from the exam score for each day
(Monday through Friday) until the exam is taken. Example: Monday is a test day,
the student is missing and takes it Friday, the maximum number of points the
student could earn is 80 points. The same applies to any written work. The
assigned WS must be submitted no later than the beginning of the class period on
the day it is due. If it is not submitted on the day it is due, then five points will be
deducted for each day it is late.
Expectations:
Reading assigned materials is very important; working on review questions in both the
textbook and workbook as you progress will help reinforce concepts. Mark material &
review questions that you are having trouble understanding so that they can be clarified
during class. Start assignments early; I will try to help you with them, but not at the last
minute. Always bring calculator to class. Keep a list of equations on separate sheet of
paper in the back of a loose-leaf binder. Students should bring the textbook, workbook,
loose-leaf binder, notepaper, and a pencil or pen to class each day. No handouts will be
provided by the instructor; you must download & keep track of your work. Students
should prepare for a spontaneous review as if they were about to take the test. This will
help identify areas of weakness for further study.
Study Groups:
Studying together is encouraged. You can divide material among yourselves and discuss
possible test questions with each other.
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Exams:
Each unit exam will consist of 50 objective questions worth two points per question. The
final exam contains 100 questions worth one point each. Test versions may be different.
The sequence of test questions may differ and/or the answers may be re-ordered, yet the
questions are the same. The exams will take place on or before the dates scheduled.
Following completion of each exam, the instructor will score the exam as soon as
possible and notify the student of exam results via Web-CT. Make-up exams will be
allowed ONLY FOR A MISSED EXAM (NOT BECAUSE OF A LOW SCORE ON A
PREVIOUS EXAM).
Academic Honesty:
It is expected that each student will do his/her own work. During testing, keep your eyes
on your own paper only. If a student is caught cheating, (s)he will risk a zero for a score
(which is difficult to recover from).
Plagiarism:
Refer to pages 30/31 in College Catalog
Americans With Disabilities Act:
Presentation College is committed to ensuring equal learning opportunities for all
students, and provides a student with disabilities reasonable accommodations in
accordance with the College’s procedures. A student requiring accommodations or
service should contact the Office of Disability Services at 1-800-437-6060, Ext. #438.