Radiation Physics

Code:

F4003

Acronym:

F4003

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Physics

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Physics and Astronomy
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Medical Physics

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:FM	20	Study plan since academic year 2023/2024	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

• 
  

  Understand the major types of ionizing radiation, how these particles interact in physical and biological systems, and the quantities and units used to characterize the intensity of a radiation field.

  
  


• 
  

  Understand fundamental concepts used throughout the radiological sciences, such as absorbed dose, linear energy transfer (LET), particle range and stopping power, fluence, fluence rate, radioactive decay, quality factor and the effective dose equivalent.

  
  


• 
  

  recognize the advantages and disadvantages of each type of therapy

  
  


• 
  

  Understand radiation protection principles (e.g., time, distance and shielding) and key concepts related to radiation therapy. 

  
  

Learning outcomes and competences

This course covers aspects of radiation physics necessary for understanding modern radiation therapy and diagnostic. After completing the course the student must:

• have acquired strong knowledge of the fundamental modes of interaction between ionizing radiation (IR) (charged and uncharged) with body tissues, with an emphasis on the physics of energy absorption .
• be able to calculate absorved doses and know the data sources of information necessary for its calculations. 
• be able to understand and discuss related scientific articles.
• be able to detemine parameters of radiation protection
• be able to extra information from the main sources of data in the field.
• know the state of art and be able to understand the current research in the field of radiation theraphy and diagnosis.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

• General classical and modern physics and mathematics, at the level of licenciature.

Program

1. 
   

   Ionizing radiation:ypes and sources of IR.; description of iR fields; quantities for describing the interaction of iR with matter; quantities and units for radiation protection.

   
   


2. 
   

   Radiation Interactions with body tissues.; caracterization of the physics process; cross section of an event.

   
   


3. 
   

   Interactions of neutral particles: . exponential attenuation; broad and narrow beam geometries; buildup factor; reciprocity theorem.

   
   


4. 
   

   Photon Interactions: photoelectric effect; Compton Ssattering; Pair Production and anihillation; Rayleigh scattering; probabilities of events calculations.

   
   


5. 
   

   Neutron Interactions: tpes of Interactions; cross sections studies: limiar for a process.

   
   


6. 
   

   Interactions of charged heavy particles: interaction mechanisms; Bethe-Bloch formula; Stopping power calculations; restrict stopping power; dose estimates. Fundamentals of proton  therapy.

   
   


7. 
   

   Interactions of light charged particles: dose calculations. Fundamentals of electron therapy.

   
   


8. Radioactivity. Radiopharmaceuticals.


9. 
   

   Solving problems skills in dosimetry and protection.     

   
   

Mandatory literature

Attix Frank Herbert; Introduction to radiological physics and radiation dosimetry. ISBN: 0-471-01146-0
Ervin B. Podgorsak; Radiation Physics for Medical Physicist
Turner James E.; Atoms, radiation, and radiation protection. ISBN: 978-3-527-40606-7

Complementary Bibliography

Hendee William R.; Radiation therapy physics. ISBN: 0-471-39493-9

Teaching methods and learning activities

The contents are detailed in the classroom which may include the discussion and solving of problems. Special guidance on various subjects of study is offered.

Students have an organized set of problems that are resolved or discussed in class

The exposition of the themes is made in the blackboard, but using also the projection.

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	113,00
Frequência das aulas	49,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

No rules.

Calculation formula of final grade

final exam=100%

Examinations or Special Assignments

None

Internship work/project

None.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According to Regulamento de Avaliação e do Aproveitamento dos estudantes, da FCUP.

Classification improvement

Retaking final exam according to the Regulamento de Avaliação e do Aproveitamento dos estudantes, da FCUP.

Observations

Júri: M. Fátima Mota and Pedro Teles