Radiation and Radiotherapy
Code
10536
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Física
Credits
6.0
Teacher in charge
Maria Adelaide de Almeida Pedro de Jesus
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
This is a final year course that, based on the knowledge acquired in Atomic and Nuclear Physics courses, introduces the areas of dosimetry, biological effects of radiation and its applications. Their knowledge of practical aspects of radiation detection, involving different kind of detectors, the associated electronics and data acquisition, will be applied to the design of laboratorial tests and experiments. Also, students will get acquainted with simulation software for dosimetric calculations.
Prerequisites
Participation with sucess in Atomic and Molecular and Nuclear Physics courses
Subject matter
Radiation: Interaction of ionizing electromagnetic radiation with matter – effects on the radiation (absorption, scattering); Interaction of charged particles with matter – effects on the particles (stopping power, range, energy straggling and angular straggling, production of electromagnetic radiation); Effects of radiation on matter – energy transfer, excitation, ionization; Dosimetry – units, measurements, calculation of doses; Effects of radiation on biological tissues – direct and indirect, somatic and genetic, stochastic and deterministic; dose/effect relation; Basic rules for Safety and Radiological Protection.
Radiotherapy: External radiotherapy with electromagnetic radiation; External radiotherapy with ion beams; Internal radiotherapy or Brachitherapy.
Bibliography
Teaching method
The teaching method is inspired by "Active Learning", with two kind of classes: theoretical and pratical.
Theoretical classes: the students are divided in groups of 6 (exceptionally 7) elements and are supposed to study previously, with the help of bibliography and slides at their disposal. In each class after a brief introduction of the main issues to be covered in that class, a question is proposed to each group containing conceptual aspects and applications (problem solving). During the activity the teacher discuss with each group some aspects of the group''''s question. Every two weeks, the students are submitted to a 30 mn evaluation test.
Pratical classes: are aimed at simulation of problems raised in the theoretical classes. Students are divided in groups of 2 (exceptionally 3) elements.
Evaluation method
The evaluation has 2 components relative to: tests (respective grade NT); practical simulation exercises (respective grade NP).
The grade relative to the tests is the average of the 3 best grades obtained among the 4 tests performed during the semester.
The practical grade is the weighted average of 4 simulation exercises (and respective reports) with weights of 10%, 25%, 25% and 40%, from the first to the last.
Condition to obtain attendance: NP>10
Conditions to obtain approval: NP>10 and NT>10
The final grade of continuous evaluation is given by the following expression, with partial grades approximated to the first decimal:
NAC = 0,5 x NP+0,5 x NT
The tests may be replaced by the exam
The final grade is given by
NF = 0,5 x NP+0,5 x NE
where NE is the exam grade.