RAD1081 Foundations in medical radiation physics
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
RAD1081 Foundations in medical radiation physics is a level 1, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 2 tasks
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before RAD1081
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After RAD1081
No unit lists RAD1081 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Must be enrolled in course code M2017.
Overview
This unit aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop theoretical knowledge in the concepts underpinning medical radiation physics.
The unit begins with an examination of mathematical principles related to medical radiation physics. Students will then study the laws of physics, the units of measurement used within the discipline, electricity, magnetism and the electromagnetic spectrum. Students will learn about the physical properties of atomic structure and about the interaction of particles and waves including mechanisms for absorption and scattering of energy at the atomic level. The focus will then move to the properties of radiation, radiation interactions with matter, and the production and detection of radiation. Foundation principles of radiation safety and radiation protection together with statutory requirements will be covered. The physics concepts discussed will be applied in a radiation therapy context in relation to principles, implications and instrumentation.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Laboratory reports (750 words each report. Total 3,000 words)Written50%
- Quiz series (5 x 20 mins. Moodle Quizzes; MCQs/SAQs/EMQs and open-ended)Quiz / Test50%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Describe fundamental mathematics and physics concepts relevant to medical radiation physics, focussing on mechanics, waves and particles, thermal physics, electricity, magnetism and electromagnetism.
- 2
Explain the principles and properties of atomic structure, radioactivity, the processes of radiation interactions with matter and the production, absorption and scattering of energy.
- 3
Describe the instrumentation used for the production of x-rays including the Diagnostic X-ray Tube and the Medical Linear Accelerator.
- 4
Discuss the principles of radiation detection and dosimetry relevant to medical radiation physics.
- 5
Describe the effects of ionising radiation on cellular matter.
- 6
Examine the principles of radiation safety and radiation protection that apply to the use of medical radiations.
- 7
Analyse laboratory findings and communicate these in written form.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops14 hours
- Laboratories10 hours
- Lectures12 hours
- Teaching approachOnline learning
1 hour online lecture, 2 hour weekly contact session (7 weeks are 2-hour-tutorials, 5 weeks are 2-hour-labs across semester), and 2 hours of teacher - directed interaction with Moodle based tasks per week. Students will be expected to engage in additional self-directed activities to facilitate the development of knowledge and understanding of the physical concepts covered in the unit for 7 hours each week.
For full details of the teaching approach to this unit, please refer to Moodle.
Learning resources
Required resources
See Moodle for details about required resources.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Shan Kou
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Caroline Wright
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for RAD1081?
RAD1081 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is RAD1081 offered?
In 2025, RAD1081 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
Does RAD1081 have an exam?
No. RAD1081 has 2 assessment tasks and no exam.