RAD 200 - Radiation Physics and Radiobiology

Credits: 3
Lecture Contact Hours: 3
Description: Content establishes a basic knowledge of radiation production and characteristics of atomic structure and terminology. Also presented are the nature and characteristics of radiation, x-ray production and the fundamentals of photon interaction with matter. Information on electromagnetic radiation, beam characteristics, units of measure, tube housing, anodes and cathodes and x-ray circuitry are also presented.

Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Radiologic Technology Program. PHYS 123 with a minimum grade of 3.0. RAD 105 with a minimum grade of 3.0.
Corequisites: RAD 115 if not previously taken.
Recommended: None.

Course Category: Occupational
This Course is Typically Offered: Spring, Summer
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Students who already have this knowledge may qualify for prior learning credit. https://www.schoolcraft.edu/student-records/prior-learning-credits

Course Competencies

Explore the basic fundamentals of x-ray production.
Perform calculations of exposure techniques, image magnifications, penumbra, beam restrictions and half-value layer (HVL) formulas.
Explain the possible fates of x-ray photons interacting with matter and how various beam limitations and grids can control scatter.
Demonstrate how the image receptor responds to automatic exposure control or manual techniques and various tools and charts that are used to evaluate this response.
Relate energies, wavelengths and frequencies to the electromagnetic spectrum.
Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of electrostatics.
Identify sources of electromagnetic and particulate ionizing radiations.
Discriminate between the direct and indirect effects of radiation.
Evaluate sources of radiation exposure.
Explain radiation-induced chemical reactions and potential biologic damage.
Demonstrate methods to measure radiation response.
Investigate physical, chemical and biologic factors influencing the radiation response of cells and tissues.
Explain factors influencing radio sensitivity.
Recognize the clinical significance of lethal dose (LD).
Employ dose response curves to study the relationship between radiation dose levels and the degree of biologic response.