Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The overall aim of this introductory module is to provide students with a broad knowledge and understanding of the basic science underpinning medical physics and to develop associated critical evaluation skills, contextualised to clinical scientific practice and professional standards.
The module is split into five themes; the four specialism themes Radiation Safety & Diagnostic Radiology Physics (RS&DR), Nuclear Medicine (NM), Radiotherapy Physics (RT), and Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation (INIR)) and an overarching Clinical Engineering theme.

Outline Of Syllabus

Introduction to Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology Physics: basics of ionising radiation interactions, dose units, quantities and calculation, legislation and guidance, x-ray technology and image quality

Introduction to Nuclear Medicine: imaging technology, image creation, processing and quantitative indices, normal and pathological appearances, and radiopharmacy

Introduction to Radiotherapy Physics: basic radiobiology, therapeutic equipment, patient dose calculation, treatment planning, accuracy and safety

Introduction to Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation: basics of MR, ultrasound, and optical radiation physics and clinical applications

Clinical engineering: medical devices, equipment lifecycle, IT and clinical computing, and innovation and service improvement

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of this module the students should be able to:

1.       Critically appraise the science, legislation, and guidance applicable to medical physics clinical environments: radiation safety and diagnostic radiology physics, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy physics, and imaging with non-ionising radiation.

2.       Critically appraise the scientific basis of diagnostic imaging and therapeutic procedures within medical physics: recognising their limitations.

3.       Demonstrate a critical understanding of the principles underpinning innovation and service improvement.

Intended Skill Outcomes

On completion of this module the students should be able to:

1.       Work safely within a medical physics environment.

2.       Use appropriate quantities for assessing the effects of radiation.

3.       Apply knowledge and understanding of the science and legislation applicable to a specific new clinical context.

4.       Critically evaluate and discuss information pertinent to a medical physics context and defend judgements made.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Present in Person and non-synchronous lectures are used to establish a knowledge and evidence base framework to develop understanding of complex scientific concepts and to provide early insights into the relationships between theory and clinical practice.

Small group teaching enables students to critically explore concepts introduced in lectures. Practicals are used to underpin basic scientific concepts.
Demonstrations are used to familiarise students with key features of typical equipment used in medical physics services.

Critical evaluation skills are developed during small group teaching and coursework. Specific skills are developed during innovation and service improvement teaching and formative practice.

Problem orientated learning opportunities embedded in the VLE enable students to continue to develop problem solving, critical reasoning and clinical decision making skills through evidence based activities.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The written examinations assess the student's critical understanding and application of knowledge as appropriate to the clinical scientific context. The oral presentation assesses the student's ability to demonstrate this same knowledge understanding as would be appropriate of a scientific conference, and to discuss and defend their work.

Reports are used to assess critical evaluation skills, understanding and application of the knowledge developed as well as the student's ability to apply this knowledge to real life problems, as well as innovation and service developments.

In order to pass this module candidates must achieve a mark of at least 50% in the written examination.

General Notes

N/A