Entry requirements

A university degree after at least three years of study (180 credits) in life sciences (e.g. physics, radiophysics, chemistry or biology), medicine, pharmacy, nursing, or other relevant university education. Radiation Protection and Medical Effects, 6 credits.

Learning outcomes

The course applies knowledge from the course Radiation protection and medical effects, 6 ECTS credits (4 p), 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 results

Content

History and future perspectives. Radiation detectors, general principles. Detectors in lab and for radiation protection. Gamma- and liquid-scintillation detectors. Semi conductors and other detectors. Gamma cameras for clinical and experimental use. SPECT and SPECT-CT, and clinical applications. PET and PET-CT, and clinical applications. Analysis and quantification with PET and SPECT. Laborations with well counter, liquid scintillation counter and phosphor imager. 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.

Instruction

Lectures, projects, seminars, laboratory work, demonstrations, study visit. Course-specific web site information and education material.

Assessment

Written examination and presentation of individual literature. To pass examination, seminars and laboratory work must be passed. The grades "Pass" or "Fail" are given.