MRTY 1036 Health Physics + Radiation Biology
This Unit of Study at Junior level is designed specifically for students enrolled in the
Bachelor of Applied Science (MRS) Diagnostic Radiography to provide basic knowledge and understanding of concepts in radioactivity and ultrasound, laying the foundation for understanding ultrasonic transducers, cyclotrons and radiation detectors. It also explores the effects of ionising and non-ionising radiation on biological systems, including implications for radiological protection.
This Unit of Study will give students an understanding of:
- the nucleus, nuclear forces and radioactivity
- nuclear reactions , nuclear radiation and radiation measurement
- nuclear-based imaging
- dosimetry, radiation monitoring and protection
- safety legislation
- the biological effects of radiation
- revision of wave concepts
- ultrasound
- acoustic impedance, scattering and attenuation
- Doppler shift and Doppler ultrasound
Concepts of physics covered will include:
the nucleus, nuclear forces and radioactivity; nuclear reactions and radiation; nuclear decay equations, emphasising reactions important to radiography/medicine; radioactive decay and half-life, the interactions of radiation with matter; range of radiation in air and tissue; radiation measurement and overview of different types of detectors; production of radionuclides, radionuclide imaging, tomographic imaging; dosimetry, exposure, absorbed dose, equivalent dose; principles of radiation protection and safety, radiation protection and safety legislation; why radiation is hazardous; atomic, molecular, cellular and tissue changes, effects of radiation to the whole organism; sound waves, decibel scale, reflection and refraction; acoustic impedance, impedance matching, scattering and attenuation; image formation with ultrasound
Assumed knowledge for entry to this unit is HSC Physics and 2 unit Maths (or their equivalent). Students are also expected to have completed MRTY1031 Medical Radiation Physics.
Textbook
John Ball, Adrian D. Moore and Steve Turner,Essential Physics for Radiographers, 4th Edition (2008), Blackwell Publishing - as used in MRTY 1031.
This is NOT the same book as listed in the FHS Faculty handbook!
The book will be supplemented by other copied notes.
More Information
More details of all aspects of Medical Radiation Physics can be found (in PDF format) in the Unit of Study Outline. See also the Unit Timetable.
Resources provided for Health Physics and Radiation Biology include lecture notes, assignment solutions and a sample exam paper are all accessible for enrolled students from the Sydney eLearning pages. Access requires a Unikey Username and Password that is issued with your confirmation of enrolment. A brief introduction is available to help you (in PDF format).
For further information contact the Physics Student Services Office, Room 202 in the Physics building (phone 9351 3037), or contact the . For advice on 'Where to go for Help' in any aspect of your course, and other useful links, see the Junior Physics Resources and Links Page and the Junior Physics Web Page.