Isra University

Faculty of Arts and Science

Course Calendar

2016/2017

Department of Physics SecondSemester

*****************************************************************************************

* Course Title: Medical Physics
* Course No.: 1102363
* Instructor :
* Course Description:
(3 credit hours, Prerequisite: None)
Provide a basic understanding of physics in medicine. The course will cover the following topics: physics of the body, physics of diagnostic x-ray, physics of nuclear medicine (radioisotopes in medicine), physics of radiation therapy and radiation protection in medicine.
* Objectives:
  • To understand the physics of body.
  • To study the physics of diagnostic x-ray.
  • To discuss the radioisotopes used in nuclear medicine.
  • To knowthe principles of radiotherapy.
  • To examine the characteristics of the nuclear force.
  • To know the principles used in radiation protection in medicine.

Week / Dates / Ch. & PP. / Remarks
First / Ch2Forces on and in the body
  • Statics
  • Frictional Forces
  • Dynamics

Second / Ch5Energy, work and power of the body
  • Conservation of energy in the body
  • Energy changes in the body
  • Work and power.
  • Heat losses from the body

Third / Ch6Pressure
  • Measurement of pressure in the body
  • Pressure inside the skull
  • Eye Pressure
  • Pressure in the digestive system

Fourth /
  • Pressure in the skeleton
  • Pressure in the urinary bladder
  • Pressure effect while diving
  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Fifth / Ch16Physics of Diagnostic X-ray
  • Production of x-ray beams
  • How x-ray are absorbed
  • Making an x-ray image
  • Radiation to patients from x-rays
/ The First Exam
Sixth
Seventh /
  • Producing live x-ray images-Fluoroscopy
  • X-ray slices of the body
  • Radiographs taken without film

Eighth / Ch 17 physics of nuclear medicine (Radioisotopes in medicine)
  • Review of basic characteristics and units of radioactivity
  • Sources of radioactivity for nuclear medicine
  • Statistical aspects of nuclear medicine
  • Basic instrumentation and its clinical applications
/ Examples
Ninth /
  • Nuclear medicine imaging devices
  • Physical principles of nuclear medicine imaging procedures
  • Therapy with radioactivity
  • Radiation doses in nuclear medicine
/ The Second Exam
Tenth
Eleventh / Ch18 Physics of radiation therapy
  • The dose units used in radiotherapy- the rad and gray.
  • Principles of radiation therapy.
  • A short course in radiotherapy treatments planning

Twelfth /
  • Megavoltage therapy
  • Short distance radiotherapy or Brackytherapy
  • Other radiation sources
  • Closing thought on radiotherapy
/ Examples
Thirteenth / Ch 19 Radiation protection in medicine
  • Biological effects of ionizing radiation
  • Radiation protection units and limits
  • Radiation protection instrumentation
  • Radiation protection in diagnostics radiology

Fourteenth /
  • Radiation protection in radiation therapy
  • Radiation protection in nuclear medicine
  • Radiation accidents

Fifteenth / TheFinal Exam
Sixteen

* Assessment instruments

1. Short reports and / or presentation, and / or short research projects.

2. First and second exams

3. Attendance and participations

4. Final exam

Grade Distribution
Assessment instruments / Marks
First examination / 25
Second Examination / 25
Participation / 10
Final examination / 40
Total / 100

* Textbook and Supporting Material

. Physics of the Body “Medical Physics series”, By JohnR. Cameron, 3rd edition

Suggested references:

  • Nuclear Medicine Physics: A Handbook for Teachers and Students, By D.L. Bailey, 1st edition, 2014.
  • Radiation Oncology Physics: A Handbook for Teachers and Students, By E.B. Podgorsak, 1st edition, 2005.
  • Diagnostic Radiology Physics: A Handbook for Teachers and Students, by D.R. Dance, 1st edition, 2014.
  • Health Physics, Fourth edition, by Thomas E. Johnson, 2009.