Radiotherapy and its physics
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| 6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| End-of-course assessment | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
This course aims to give you an understanding of the application of physics to the techniques of radiotherapy, which plays an important role in the treatment of cancer. The core materials apply the principles of basic physics to radiotherapy in dosimetry, external and internal treatment methods, treatment planning and radiation protection. You’ll study radiobiology and consider the effects of ionising radiation on biological tissues. Finally, you’ll research an area of the subject that particularly interests you, and present a short illustrated talk and an associated review.
Course content
Radiotherapy relies heavily on physics: the design of linear accelerators, the use of internal radioactive sources, the measurement of dose and the planning of treatment regimes are all based on physics. Beyond that, the rationale for carrying out radiotherapy is based on the science of radiobiology – the study of the effect of ionising radiation on tissues.
The course aims to:
- introduce higher-level study of radiotherapy physics
- develop the skills appropriate to study at masters level, so that you can both articulate your understanding of radiotherapy and apply the same skills to other areas of study
- develop communication skills using written reports, presentations, and online forums
- develop the use of IT skills in the interpretation and dissemination of scientific information.
By the end the course you should be able to:
- explain the underlying scientific principles of modern radiotherapy and the mode of operation of the major treatment methods
- have a good understanding of the effects of ionising radiation on tissue and the calculation and measurement of dose
- recognise that the delivery of radiotherapy is subject to ethical, social and financial constraints, and summarise some of these contextual issues
- summarise a research paper
- assess secondary and, in some cases, primary literature in a given area of radiotherapy
- use electronic means of communication and search and retrieve information electronically
- use scientific software to analyse and present data
- plan, prepare and give a PowerPoint presentation, and talk on a relevant subject to a small audience
- be able to respond to further questions and contribute to a discussion in that area.
Vocational relevance
The course will be of particular interest to those working in the field of radiotherapy. It will also be accessible to those with no prior knowledge of the field but with a background in science.
Entry
You can count this course as a module towards our MSc in Medical Physics or our MSc in Science and certain other qualifications. To register for any of the science masters courses you must, normally, hold a qualification equivalent to a UK honours degree in science or a science-related subject. However, applicants with relevant experience or other study that may equip them to study at masters level will be considered by our Admissions Panel. Depending on your qualifications or particular area of expertise, some background reading may be necessary prior to the start, or during the early part of the course. A copy of Is S819 the right course for you? can be found on the MSc in Science website. Alternatively email us or contact the MSc in Science Programme Office, Faculty of Science, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA.
Outside the UK
Students outside the UK can choose to replace attendance at UK-based assessment events with equivalent live alternatives.These will use the Open University’s conferencing software (called Elluminate) for which you will require a combined headphone/microphone headset.
Qualifications
S819 is a compulsory course in our
S819 is an optional course in our
Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The course depends heavily on reading and writing text on computer screens, and much of the material is presented online and on DVD-ROM. There are also audio and video materials on the DVD-ROM. You will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer and the internet. If you have seriously impaired sight or manual dexterity you may find using the web and course-related software challenging. You can obtain more information and advice from the MSc in Science Programme Office.
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader, and scientific language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the course material can be provided on request. Your course requires you to access literature resources electronically. If you use a screen reader to access material on screen, you should check that it is compatible with the Open Library's electronic databases and resources before you start the course.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books, other printed materials, audio and visual materials (on DVD-ROM), online forums, course website, treatment planning software.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running windows Boot Camp or similar.
Materials to buy
Set books
- Van der Kogel, A & Joiner, M Basic Clinical Radiobiology (4th edn), Hodder £39.99 - ISBN 9780340929667
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. Electronic communication will be used extensively, including for assignment submission. There will be two day schools: the first, at the beginning of the course, is optional but strongly recommended. If you are resident in the UK you are required to attend the second, in late September or early October, to present a short talk. Both day schools will be held in Milton Keynes. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Two written end-of-course assignments (submitted online using the eTMA system) together with a short presentation (to be given at the second day school) take the place of the end-of-course examination.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in January 2010. We expect it to be available at the same time once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
A postgraduate course in Science.
Study explained
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- - a module of study that can count towards a qualification.
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
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- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
Student Reviews
Great Course! I have a background in medical imaging but radiotherapy I had very little knowledge of. For people thinking ...
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My comments below of the topics covered in the course are purely my personal opinion. This new course (for 2007) ...
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