RTS4101 Radiation therapy science 1
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
RTS4101 Radiation therapy science 1 is a level 4, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 2 units, leading on to 8 units in all.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
- Workload
- 12 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before RTS4101
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After RTS4101
2 units list RTS4101 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Co-requisite: For M6004 students: RTS4102, RTS4103. Course: M2017 or M6004 or M2003.
Overview
The focus of this unit is an in-depth understanding of the key facets of radiation physics. You will be able to define radiation and radioactive decay. You will be able to describe in detail the interactions of radiation with matter, and explain how radiation is detected and measured. You will gain an appreciation for the importance of radiation safety, and will be encouraged to critically reflect on the implications of radiation protection in your clinical experiences. You will also be given an introduction to medical radiations instrumentation and techniques, with emphasis on the fusion of the conceptual theory with the practical applications. Whilst studying these topics, you will be encouraged to critically reflect, analyse and synthesise relevant information from the literature and your previous experiences of studying physics.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | Online |
Assessment
- Quiz series (4 x 20 mins Moodle quizzes)Quiz / TestCompetency hurdle40%
- Narrated infographic (50cm x50cm - narration/audio maximum 3 mins)Artefact30%
- Recorded oral presentation (Equivalent 8 mins presentation, maximum 20 slides)Presentation30%
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
Define and calculate radioactivity, and describe in detail radioactive decay processes;
- 2
Explain the scientific concepts involving the production and properties of ionising and non-ionising radiation, and the physical processes involved in the interactions of ionising and non-ionising radiation with matter;
- 3
Discuss the principles of, and equipment used for, radiation detection and measurement;
- 4
Describe the importance of radiation safety and analyse the techniques and engineering controls used in radiation protection;
- 5
Recognise and describe the basic design features, operating principles and the quality assurance checks for medical radiation equipment;
- 6
Describe the principles and practice of Radiation Treatment Planning.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops8 hours
8 hours of online synchronous tutorials via zoom per semester, proposed schedule of four 2-hour online Tutorials across the semester.
For the weeks with a Tutorial:
2 hours of Tutorials, 4 hours of directed, structured learning through interactive online learning packages and tutor moderated discussion forums per week, and 5-6 hours of self-directed study per week.
For the weeks without a Tutorial:
6 hours of directed and structured learning through interactive online learning packages and tutor moderated discussion forums per week, and 5-6 hours of self-directed study per week.
Total per week = 12 hours
Learning resources
Required resources
See Moodle for details about required resources.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Shan Kou
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Shan Kou
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for RTS4101?
RTS4101 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after RTS4101?
RTS4101 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 2 units, including RTS4102 and RTS5110. Those lead on to 8 units in all.
When is RTS4101 offered?
In 2026, RTS4101 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton, with an online option.
How much work is RTS4101?
The handbook expects about 12 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does RTS4101 have an exam?
No. RTS4101 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.