MPY8001 : Introduction to Medical Physics
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Judith Mott
- Lecturer: Mr IAn Birch, Dr Claire-Louise Chapple, Dr John Byrne, Dr Barry Ward, Mr David McCulloch, Ms Elizabeth Jefferson, Professor Peter Thelwall, Dr Richard Peace, Dr Kevin Robson, Dr Andrew Sims, Mr David Rawlings, Dr Kieren Hollingsworth
- Owning School: School of Medical Education
- Teaching Location: Mixed Location
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 30 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 20.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
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
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 70 | 1:00 | 70:00 | Present in person: Lectures/demonstrations/visits |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Non-synchronous online: ReCap/voice over.PPT, student tasks |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 100 | 1:00 | 100:00 | Summative assessments: 3 written essay, 1 oral exam and a 3 hour 10 min closed book examination |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Non-synchronous online: guided critical reading and maths problems |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Independent and self-directed research: module reading list |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 27 | 1:00 | 27:00 | Present in person: Practical's and results analysis |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Non-synchronous online: reading preparation for a synchronous session (flipped classroom) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 25 | 1:00 | 25:00 | Present in person: seminars, tutorials, problem solving/maths sessions |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured non-synchronous discussion | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Non-synchronous online: moderated discussion boards |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 15 | 1:00 | 15:00 | Group work by students - scientific careers in the NHS event |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 115 | 1:00 | 115:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Present in person: induction/feedback |
| Total | 400:00 |
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 Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 190 | 2 | A | 40 | PIP: 2 unseen (closed book) written exams (2 papers:110mins & 80mins). Exam must be passed. Please organise exams to take place on consecutive days. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination | 2 | M | 15 | 15 minutes - PIP Oral Presentation |
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 15 | 1800 Word Written Exercise (Essay) |
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 15 | 1800 Word Written Exercise (Essay) |
| Written exercise | 3 | M | 15 | 1800 Word Written Exercise (Essay) |
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.
Written coursework is 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.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MPY8001's Timetable