Syllabus for Detection Techniques and Dosimetry

Learning outcomes

The course applies knowledge from the course Radiation protection and medical effects, 6 ECTS credits, and prepares for further studies within the program. The goal is to give basic knowledge of techniques regarding radiation detectors, for preclinical as well as clinical applications, and to understand the construction of radiation detectors enough to be able to handle them.

After passed course it is expected that the student can

• explain principles for different kinds of radiation detectors
• give details about detectors used in lab and for radiation protection
• give details about function and use of gamma and liquid scintillation detectors
• give details about function and use of semiconductors and other detectors
• describe gamma cameras for clinical and experimental use
• describe PET and SPECT, also in combination with CT, for clinical and experimental use
• explain procedures for analysis and quantification with PET and SPECT
• describe clinical applications in nuclear medicine
• perform spectrum analysis of different radionuclides, also during quenching and multi nuclide measurements
• define dosimetric units
• handle dosimetric calculations and advanced simulations; point kernel, Monte Carlo
• plan and independently perform experiments with different radiation detectors and be able to analyse and interpret results.

In addition the student should have obtained understanding of how to plan and conduct and evaluate scientific investigations, how ethical legislation is applied and how research and scientific results are communicated to society.

Content

History and future perspectives. Radiation detectors, general principles. Detectors in lab and for radiation protection. Gamma- and liquid-scintillation detectors. Ligand Tracer and analysis of molecular interactions. Semi conductors and other detectors. Gamma cameras for clinical and experimental use. SPECT and SPECT-CT, and clinical applications. PET, PET-CT and PET-MR, and clinical applications. Analysis and quantification with PET and SPECT. Laborations with detectors, including well counter, liquid scintillation counter and Ligand Tracer. The need of dosimetry in preclinical and clinical applications. Definition of dosimetric units; absorbed dose, kerma, fluence, equivalent dose, effective dose. Measuring methods; ion chamber, TLD, diodes, film etc. Simple calculation methods; gamma constant. Dosimetry of radionuclides (MIRD). Advanced calculation methods; point kernel, Monte Carlo.

During a series of lectures given jointly for other medical Master programs, you will also get an insight in a number of general science-related topics.

Instruction

Lectures, projects, laboratory work, demonstrations, study visit.

Assessment

Written examination. A passing grade for the entire course also requires passing grade for projects and laboratory work.The grades "Pass" or "Fail" are given.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.