RTS4100 Radiation therapy principles for practice
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
RTS4100 Radiation therapy principles for practice is a level 4, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 1 unit, leading on to 8 units in all.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 2 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before RTS4100
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After RTS4100
1 unit list RTS4100 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Corequisite: M2017, M2003. Permission is required for M2003.
Prerequisite - For students enrolled in M2017 must have passed 96 credit points and RTS2101.
Overview
In this unit you will study the aetiology, epidemiology, anatomy, physiology, pathology, oncology management and specific radiation therapy practices to support the care of patients with breast and prostate cancer. The fundamental principles of professional practice; communication, reflection, occupational health and safety and radiation safety as they apply to a radiation therapy practice will be examined. You will learn fundamental radiation therapy principles to enable you to analyse and apply beginner level radiation therapy planning, basic imaging and reflect on your technical and professional practice to guide your growth.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Blended |
Assessment
- Case study and comparative report (Part A - 1,800 words; Part B - 700 words)Written40%
- Simulated and professional learning workbooks (3,600 words notional equivalent)PortfolioCompetency hurdle60%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Identify and describe; structural and sectional anatomy, physiology, pathology and oncology related to the reproductive systems to support the management of patients with prostate and breast cancer.
- 2
Identify and describe the radiation therapy pre-treatment and planning techniques with reference to international standards and the evidence-base to support the management of patients with prostate and breast cancer.
- 3
Describe the radiation therapy treatment and verification techniques with reference to international standards and the evidence-base to support the management of patients with prostate and breast cancer.
- 4
Describe with reference to the evidence-base, acute and late radiation therapy side effects, analysing patient care and management strategies in patients with prostate or breast cancer.
- 5
Describe theories of communication and reflection, and apply these within a professional and regulatory radiation therapy context.
- 6
Demonstrate a professional approach to practice by implementing protocols to design individual radiation therapy treatment plans and patient management strategies for patients with prostate and breast cancer at a beginner level.
- 7
Explain and demonstrate the principles of occupational health and safety and radiation safety in the context of the national practice standards.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials48 hours
- Practical activities3 hours
You will have an average of 12 hours per week of structured synchronous, asynchronous, teacher-directed and self-directed learning for 12 weeks. This includes a 1 X 2-hour online support tutorial per week, a 1 X 2-hour on-campus support tutorial per week, a 1.5-hour on-campus manual handling practical in week 11 and a 1.5-hour on-campus patient setup practical in week 12. You will be assigned self-directed content on Moodle weekly. The tutorial and practical classes help you consolidate and learn this content.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- John Ryan
- Chief Examiners
- John Ryan
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for RTS4100?
RTS4100 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after RTS4100?
RTS4100 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 1 unit, including RTS4106. Those lead on to 8 units in all.
When is RTS4100 offered?
In 2026, RTS4100 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
Does RTS4100 have an exam?
No. RTS4100 has 2 assessment tasks and no exam.