Content

General principles of ionising radiation
Biological effects of radiation including repair after radiation
Effect of radiation on tumor cells
     the oxygen effect
     the quality of the radiation
     dose rate effects
     the cell cycle effect
     sensitisation
Tissue damage by ionizing radiation
     acute and late side effects
     effects on the embryo and fetus
 

Course material

Clinical Radiobiology, fourth edition. Edited by Albert van der Kogel and Michael Joiner; Hodder Arnold, Hachette Livre UK Company 2009.     

Format: more information

The ASO listens carefully.
The ASO takes notes.
The ASO asks questions and discusses.

Explanation

In order to participate in the exam, a 60% attendance during the lectures is required.

Knowledge is tested on the basis of a multiple choice exam with guess correction that has to be prepared in writing. There will be open questions during the oral part of the exam.

Passing this course is a requirement to be able to graduate in the Master in Specialist Medicine.

Is also included in other courses

E08S7A : Aanvullingen in radiotoxicologie

Explanation

Passing this course is mandatory to obtain the diploma ‘PG in de Radioprotectie.

Written exam: combination of open questions and multiple choice questions (without correction for guessing)

Content

The following topics will be discussed:
1.       A general introduction to bio-ethics and health law:
a.       A general introduction to bio-ethics: the student can distinguish the various ethical argumentation models, explain them, apply them.
b.       A general introduction to health law: description and sources of health law (Belgium, Europe, international), with a focus on biomedical research (Declaration of Helsinki, Convention of Human Rights and Biomedicine, Clinical-Trial directive and regulation, Good Clinical Practice Guideline); enforcing the legal norm
2. The student can critically explain the legal aspects of the precautionary principle and biomedical research on test subjects, body material and embryos, with a focus on testing (ethics) committees. The student can name and explain the competences of the European Union in this field. The student can describe and analyze the relevant legislation and case-law.

3.  The student can critically explain the ethical aspects of working with human body material

4. The student can critically reflect on the question whether individual research results should (not) be returned and compare the different arguments in different situations

5.  The student can give the most important elements of integrity (and misbehaviour) in biomedical research and justify why it is important.

6.  The student can describe and analyze the ethical challenges of gene therapy and procreation-oriented cloning

7.  The student can name and explain key ethical challenges in biomedical practice in times of globalisation

8.  The student can critically reflect on the ethical aspects of clinical trials

Course material

Oral explanation during the oral courses

Course notes will be made available via Medica's course notes service or via Toledo.

Format: more information

Weblectures and class lectures

During the lectures, you are expected to ask questions and participate in discussions.

Explanation

The exam is written. It will be verified whether the ethical and legal aspects of biomedical research have been understood and acquired. Both parts will be tested while in addition a well-argued reaction on a statement will be expected. Each part corresponds to half the points.

One global mark will be communicated

Content

Chapter 1: Physical base:
• 1.1 Origin of the radioactivity
• 1.2 The radioactive source
• 1.3 The radioactive radiation
• 14. Other types of nuclear radiation
• 1.5. Radiation interaction

Chapter II: Biological base:
• 2.1 Deterministic effects
• 2.2 Stochastic effects

Chapter III: Dosimetric quantities:
• 3.1 The (absorbed) Dose
• 3.2 The equivalent dose

Chapter IV: The icrp, the euratom, the belgian legislation:
• 4.1 Recommendations of the ICRP
• 4.2 The EURATOM guidelines
• 4.3 The Belgian legislation

Chapter V: Radioprotection with external radiation:
• 5.1 General principles of dose reduction
• 5.2 Radioprotection of external radiation with photons
• 5.3 Radioprotection of external radiation with b-particles
• 5.4 Radioprotection of external radiation with a-particles

Chapter VI: Radioprotection of internal infections:
• 6.1 General principles of dose reduction
• 6.2 Classes of laboratories
• 6.3 Precautions
• 6.4 Policy with contamination within a laboratory
• 6.5 Monitoring of contamination and personne
• 6.6 The followdose HT,50
• 6.7 Determination of the recorded activity

Course material

Syllabus
Slides, transparencies, courseware
Toledo / e-platform
Articles and literature
The students also get a task on which they have to report.
 

Is also included in other courses

G0S41A : Stralingsbescherming

Content

• Chapter I: International Institutions
UNSCEAR
ICRP
Other international institutions: ICRU, IAEA, IRPA, BVS

• Appendix:
Survey of nuclear nuclear tests
The ICRP lung model and its applications to decay products of radon
New ICRP model Digestive system

• Chapter II: European Union
Guidelines basic standards
Medical guidelines

• Chapter III: Organisation and regulation in Belgium
Administrative organization of radiation protection:
- Survey of the involved institutions: FANC-Recognized institutions
- Practical organization of radiation protection: Physical and medical control
- Regulation: ARBIS
Exposure to ionizing radiation in Belgium
Other national institutions:
- NIRAS
- Fund for occupational desease
NNuclear emergency/disaster plan

• Appendix:
NORM in the Belgian phosphate industry
The Chernobyl accident
 

Course material

Syllabus
Slides, transparencies, courseware
Toledo / e-platform
Articles and literature
 

Explanation

1st semester: exam of Part A
2nd semester: exam of Part B
 

Content

1. Nuclear composition and size

2. Binding energy and the liquid drop model

3. The shell model

4. Properties of the nucleus

5. General properties of decay processes

6. Alpha decay

7. Beta decay

8. Gamma decay

9. Nuclear reactions

10. Fission and fusion reactions

Course material

Handbook:

“An Introduction to the Physics of Nuclei and Particles”
R. A. Dunlap, Thomson Brooks/Cole

Slides

Format: more information

A number of classes are taught based on the handbook and the slides. The students are given exercises as homework. These are then discussed in the following lectures.

Content

Theoretical concepts from general histology
- Anatomy and histology special
- The 'Musculoskeletal System "
- Osteology
- Joints
- Muscles
- Angiology - circulatory
- The blood
- Splanchnology (digestive, respiratory, kidney, endocrine glands)
- The Nervous System
- The propagation
Practical sessions
Illustrations of the structures described in the theory on the basis of slides and scale models

Course material

Handbook
Course text
Presentation software
Examples

Content

Nuclear fission

• Mass defect and binding energy
• Liquid drop model
• Fissile versus fertile nuclei
• Fission probability
• Fission products
• Prompt and delayed neutrons
• Fission chain reaction
• Energy release in fission

Nuclear fuel cycle

• Uranium ores
• Mining of uranium
• Conversion to UF6
• Uranium enrichment
• Nuclear fuel fabrication
• Irradiation of nuclear fuel
• Temporary storage of spent fuel
• Reprocessing of spent fuel
• Mixed oxide (MOX) fuel
• Processing of radioactive waste

Disposal of radioactive waste

• Responsible authorities in Belgium
• Radioactive waste management in Belgium
• Origin and classification of radioactive waste
• Final disposal of radioactive waste

Nuclear reactors

• Natural nuclear reactors in Oklo
• Components of a nuclear reactor
• Chicago Pile-1
• Nuclear power plant
• Nuclear reactor generations
• Nuclear reactor types
• Gen IV reactors
• Nuclear energy in Belgium
• Nuclear energy worldwide

Radionuclides in nature

• Cosmogenic radionuclides
• Primordial radionuclides
• Natural decay series
• Anthropogenic radionuclides
• Age determination from radioactive decay

Actinide and transactinide elements

• Early-actinides
• Production of late-actinides
• Properties of actinides
• Applications of actinides
• Production of transactinides
• Properties of transactinides

Absorption of nuclear radiation

• Nuclear radiation absorption processes
• Technical applications of radiation sources

Radiation effects on matter

• Radiation tracks
• Radiation dose and radiation yield
• Radiation effect on metals
• Radiation effect on inorganic compounds
• Radiation effect on water and aqueous solutions
• Radiation effect on organic compounds and organic solutions
• Non-biological applications

Radioactive tracers

• Principles of using radioactive tracers
• Chemistry of trace concentrations
• Applications of radioactive tracers in general chemistry
• Radiopharmaceuticals

Nuclear analytical applications

• Activation analysis
• Mössbauer spectroscopy
• Isotope dilution analysis

Course material

G.R. Choppin, J. Rydberg, J.-O. Liljenzin, C. Ekberg

“Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry” Fourth Edition

© Elsevier, 2013

A. Vértes, S. Nagy, Z. Klencsár, R.G. Lovas, F. Rösch

“Handbook of Nuclear Chemistry” Second Edition

© Springer, 2011

Is also included in other courses

G0H93A : Nuclear and Radiochemistry

Explanation

Written examination.

Content

Scientific knowledge on sustainability and sustainable development is an important part of the OPO science and sustainability. The following subjects will certainly be covered within this course: strong versus weak sustainability, theoretical models, systems thinking, lifecycle analysis, ecological footprint, the importance of transdisciplinary collaboration. The theory needs to be applied in the assignment.

Course material

Powerpoint, textbook, online sources.

Language of instruction: more information

Students that register for this OPO are mixed with students that take on the Dutch equivalent OPO. Lectures are in English. The greater part of the learning materials is provided in both languages.

Is also included in other courses

G0R50A : Science and Sustainability: a Socio-Ecological Approach

Content

The assignment is the application of the theory on ideas generated from academic literature. A specific article is to be personally chosen.

Course material

A personally chosen article of academic level sustainability literature.

Language of instruction: more information

The assignment encompasses the writing of an individual report. This might be written in Dutch or English.

Is also included in other courses

G0R50A : Science and Sustainability: a Socio-Ecological Approach

Explanation

Throughout the first semester, regularly an open question will be posted for discussing the provided theoretical insights of the classes (digital submission - open book). This should ensure that the theoretical knowledge can be used for teamwork and the final assignment. Through peer evaluation and a random teacher check, you will individually receive a maximum of 3 points out of 20 for your discussion. Teamwork is also organized for which you will earn 2 out of 20 points through peer evaluation. Combined, this continuous evaluation during the semester provides 25% of your individual final score.The final assignment is scored via a matrix that is made available at the onset of the course. This score counts for 75% in the final score.

Information about retaking exams

Re-examination is possible for the final assignment, but not for the continuous evaluation throughout the first semester. If the student fails according to the final score, the final assignment has to be retaken during the third examination period. The other score is transferred. After the third exam period, the final score will be recalculated..

Content

1. Introduction: (Special relativity, Atomic and Nuclear Physics, Statistics),

2. Radiation sources (including basics on accelerators and production of radioisotopes),

3. Radiation-matter interaction,

4. General characteristics of detectors,

5. Gas detectors,

6. Scintillation detectors. Gamma spectroscopy,

7. Semiconductor detectors,

8. Neutron detectors,

9. Personal dosimetry,

10. Pulse processing and nuclear electronics

Course material

Radiation Detection and Measurement, G.F. Knoll (Wiley, 2010)

Format: more information

Theory lectures that are complemented with exercises and initial laboratory projects.

Content

Exercises on the radioactive decay, the properties of ionizing radiation detectors and the operation of nuclear electronics.

Laboratories (a selection from the following list; not exhaustive):

1. Geiger-Mueller: Counting statistics.

2. Introduction to simulation codes SRIM and VGATE, (2 sessions).

3. Cyclotron: Bragg peak measurement.

4. NaI, HPGe, CdZnTe: Gamma spectrometry.

5. Surface Barrier detector: Alpha spectroscopy.

6. Neutron detection.

7. Scintillation: SiPMs, PMTs, coincidence techniques.

8. Proportional counter: X-ray fluorescence.

9. Angular Correlations with HPGe detectors.

10. Muon detection: muon lifetime and angular distribution.

Explanation

Apart from the exam the evaluation includes laboratory reports as well presentations and/or exercises assignments.

Information about retaking exams

Report(s) from the project work that would not meet the required standards may be resubmitted after having been upgraded for the second exam opportunity.

Content

The course will be organized around three main pillars 

• Advanced Statistics in Medical Physics: statistics are heavily used in medicine in general and in medical physics in particular. This includes statistical significance of laboratory and clinical experiments; quantification of risk; estimation and propagation of uncertainties (type A and type B uncertainties); probabilistic problem solving.  
• Monte Carlo techniques. Monte Carlo engines are often used as black box in clinical practice and R&D. The goal is to provide insights in the theoretical grounds of Monte Carlo simulations and also in the practical specificities of modern implementations. This includes: random number generation; sampling techniques (inverse transform, rejection technique); variance reduction; statistical error estimation (direct or batch technique); problem definition (geometry and materials); use of specialized hardware (many-core processors and GPU). Practical examples and important results are illustrated in radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and radiology.
• Introduction to Machine Learning:
  • Context and purpose of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning.
  • The various types of learning problems (supervised, non-supervised, reinforcement, transfer).
  • The various types of data sets and their purpose (training, validation, test).
  • Short introduction to optimization.
  • A few techniques:
    • Principal component analysis, linear discriminant analysis.
    • Decision trees and random forests.
    • Support Vector Machines.
  • Neural networks, from single artificial neuron to deep (convolutional) networks.
  • Interpretation of the results (ROC curve/sensitivity/specificity/…).
  • Specifics of data collection for AI/ML/DL in medical physics (access to patient data and the importance of consistent patient data; how to guide efforts in structured reporting).
  • Big data and data preprocessing (images, radiomics,.. ).

Course material

The course associates regular theoretical lectures and practical sessions.  

All theoretical lectures are either pre-recorded or recorded (if pre-record is not available). Therefore, in-class teaching can be adapted depending on the requests of the students present in class. When a pre-record is available, we favor a dynamic teaching with large developments on the black board on specific parts of the course. The students are encouraged to vision the pre-recorded courses before the in-class session so that they can ask specific questions and developments.

Physical presence is mandatory for the practical sessions. The schedule will be given during the first course. No streaming nor recording are foreseen for the practical sessions (one session for dose calculation lab; one session for margin lab).

The introduction to the course (course schedule; presentation of summary and teaching material; evaluation methodology; practical considerations) will be streamed and recorded.

After the introduction, no streaming is foreseen for the courses when a pre-record is available. This is the default format (no streaming, but a pre-recorded course). In the case a  pre-record is not available, the course will follow a classic format with a power point presentation. In the latter case (no pre-record), and only in that case, the courses will be streamed as well. It will be made clear to all students when a streaming option will be made available. But the students should assume there is no streaming option.  There will be many possibilities for the students having difficutlies to come to the course to ask their questions. Specific (streamed) sessions could be envisaged for answering questions.  

The contents that will be subject to evaluation are the ones and only the ones available in recorded material (slides and explanations).

Content

For each part of the course (statistics, Monte Carlo techniques, Machine Learning) a series of exercises is proposed. They should be solved by using the adequate computing material.

Course material

Series of exercises

Format: more information

There will be 2 challenges (one individual report per challenge)

–Monte Carlo simulations

–Machine learning

Python langage is supposed to be known. Please inform us if you have issues with Python!

Explanation

Exam during the examination period: 70% of the total score.

Reports on the assignments of selected exercises: 30% of the total score. The grades for the report are final (no possibility to change them for the second session).

Exam: oral exam with written preparation. Preparation iswith open book. Oral exam is with closed book.

For the statistics part, there will be exercices to be completed during the preparation. 

For the Monte Carlo part, there will be an algorithm to propose to solve a specific problem. This means the student must write a series of instructions to follow in order to solve the program (for example: I loop over the particles; then I test this condition; if this condition is fullfilled, then I perform this task; else I perform this task; I report this quantity...)

Information about retaking exams

The exam follows the exact same format.

However, the grades for the lab reports are final and cannot be changed for the second session (if any). 

Content

1 General introduction

2 Direct dose deposition

2.1 Stopping Power - CSDA approximation

2.1.1 Heavy charged particles

2.1.2 Electrons and positrons

2.2 Radiation yield

2.3 Limited stopping power - LET

2.4 Range

2.5 Dose in thin and thick foil

3 Indirect dose deposition

3.1 Photon interactions (rep.)

3.1.1 Transferred energy

3.1.2 Net transferred energy

3.1.3 Transmitted energy

4. Field and dosimetric definitions and units

4.1 Radiation field quantities and units (particle fluence, flux…)

4.2 Radiation interaction quantities (cross sections, attenuation coefficients, stopping powers)

4.3 Dosimetric quantities (exposure, absorbed dose, KERMA)

4.4 Relations between field and dosimetric quantities

4.5 Radiation equilibrium

5 Characterization of beam quality

5.1 Generalities

5.2 KV X-rays

5.3 MV X-rays

5.4 Electron beam specification

5.5 Protons and heavier charged particles

5.6 Energy spectra determination

6 Cavity theory

7 Overview of Radiation Detectors and Measurements

7.1 Generalities

7.2 Detector response and calibration coefficient

7.3 Absolute, reference, and relative dosimetry

7.4 General characteristics and desirable properties of detectors

7.5 Brief description of various types of detectors from the point-of-view of the medical physicist

8 Primary radiation standards

9 Ion chambrer measurements

9.1 Basic principles

9.2 Correction for influence quantities: temperature-pressure, polarity, ion recombination

10 Reference dosimetry

10.1 For MV beams

10.2 For kV beams

11 Small field dosimetry

Course material

The course associates regular theoretical lectures and in-class exercises. All theoretical lectures are either pre-recorded or recorded (if pre-record is not available). Therefore, in-class teaching can be adapted depending on the requests of the students present in class. When a pre-record is available, we favor a dynamic teaching with large developments on the black board on specific parts of the course. The students are encouraged to vision the pre-recorded courses before the in-class session so that they can ask specific questions and developments.

Some exercises will be solved in class, while others should be solved at home. Solutions to the exercises will be provided during the semester. Students who cannot attend physically are strongly encouraged to contact the teacher in case of a difficulty to solve an exercise.

The introduction to the course (course schedule; presentation of summary and teaching material; evaluation methodology; practical considerations) will be streamed and recorded.

After the introduction, no streaming is foreseen for the courses when a pre-record is available. This is the default format (no streaming, but a pre-recorded course). In the case a  pre-record is not available, the course will follow a classic format with a power point presentation. In the latter case (no pre-record), and only in that case, the courses will be streamed as well. It will be made clear to all students when a streaming option will be made available. But the students should assume there is no streaming option.  There will be many possibilities for the students having difficutlies to come to the course to ask their questions. Specific (streamed) sessions could be envisaged for answering questions.  

The contents that will be subject to evaluation are the ones and only the ones available in recorded material (slides and explanations) + the exercises. 

Teaching material

• Mandatory
  • Recorded theoretical lectures
  • Course slides
  • Exercises with their solutions
• Support (optional)
  • Papers
  • “Fundamentals of Ionizing Radiation Dosimetry”, by Andreo, Burns, Nahum, Seuntjens, and Attix (Wiley, 2017)
  • "Handbook of Radiotherapy Physics" (Mayles, Nahum, Rosenwald)

Explanation

The written part amounts for 70% of the mark. The oral part 30% of the mark

All teaching material is available for the written part and amounts for 70% of the grade (30% theoretical questions; 40% exercises).The openbook format should be seen by the student as a way to improve comfort and avoid memorizing lengthy equations or definitions. However, in order to succeed to the exam, it is expected that the student knows the teaching material. Otherwise, it will take too long to the student to answer the questions of the exam. The questions are asked in a way it is possible to answer them without referring to the course if the latter is well known. 

The oral part amounts to 30% of the score. Short questions are asked and the student need to make developments on the fly. The teaching material is not available for the oral part

Information about retaking exams

In the second session, the exam follows the exact same structure

Content

https://uclouvain.be/en-cours-2024-lgbio2070

Content

• The legal framework on medical exposures in Belgium (Royal decree of Feb 13, 2020), and the subsequent tasks of the medical physicist in radiology
• Justification as an important part of the legislation.

                   Exercise: case study. Example: a CT scanner in the surgery room. How to justify this?

• The basic principles of x-ray imaging devices: an overview
• X-ray exams in radiology: medical aspects and working practice in x-ray rooms

                   Guided tour of the radiology department with a radiology staff member

X-ray tubes and the geometry of x-ray devices: working principle, their safe use and optimization

X-ray spectra: properties, filtering and optimization for specific radiological tasks

                   Exercise: contrast calculations using an x-ray spectrum generating tool

• X-ray detectors: physical basic principles, different types of detectors, and quality measurements of the detector
• Image quality measurements using phantoms and basis quality measures
• Patient dosimetry in radiology

                  Demonstration: Monte Carlo techniques in radiology physics

                  Demonstration of patient dose data collection, reporting and optimization

• Fluoroscopy systems and radiation protection of patients and personnel
• CT technology: basic principles and new developments, including dual energy techniques
• Introduction to QC protocols
• Get started with supporting clinical studies in radiology: basic techniques, ethical approvals and GDPR rules
• Phase contrast imaging

                  Visit of the MosaIc and demonstration of phase contrast imaging

• Non ionizing imaging techniques, with focus on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (basic principles)
• Research in medical physics in radiology

Course material

Slides

Several documents such as the Royal Decree of Feb 13, 2020 and Technical documents of the FANC on Quality Control procedures.

Selected papers to illustrate

‘The radiological medical physics handbook’,  by D.R. Dance S. Christofides A.D.A. Maidment I.D. McLean and K.H. Ng, 2014.

The textbook can be downloaded for free from the IAEA website:

http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nahu/DMRP/DiagnosticRadiologyPhysicsHandbook.html

Explanation

The exam consists of questions on the theoretical aspects, and case study exercises.

Content

Theoretical content

• Treatment delivery technologies
• Dose calculation
• Detector technology spectific to radiotherapy (including arrays, film, EPID, …)
• Clinical background of radiotherapy: definition of GTV, CTV, and PTV
• Management of uncertainties in treatment planning (safety margins, probabilistic planning, and robust optimization)
• Motion management in radiotherapy
• Modern radiotherapy treatment planning techniques (AI-guided treatment planning; adaptive radiotherapy)

Practical content

• Dose calculation lab (the students will have to write down their own code in Python for a pencil beam dose convolution algorithm; and then discuss their strengths and weaknesses; reference Monte Carlo data will be provided)
• PTV safety margin computation lab

Course material

The course associates regular theoretical lectures and practical sessions.  

All theoretical lectures are either pre-recorded or recorded (if pre-record is not available). Therefore, in-class teaching can be adapted depending on the requests of the students present in class. When a pre-record is available, we favor a dynamic teaching with large developments on the black board on specific parts of the course. The students are encouraged to vision the pre-recorded courses before the in-class session so that they can ask specific questions and developments.

Physical presence is mandatory for the practical sessions. The schedule will be given during the first course. No streaming nor recording are foreseen for the practical sessions (one session for dose calculation lab; one session for margin lab).

The introduction to the course (course schedule; presentation of summary and teaching material; evaluation methodology; practical considerations) will be streamed and recorded.

After the introduction, no streaming is foreseen for the courses when a pre-record is available. This is the default format (no streaming, but a pre-recorded course). In the case a  pre-record is not available, the course will follow a classic format with a power point presentation. In the latter case (no pre-record), and only in that case, the courses will be streamed as well. It will be made clear to all students when a streaming option will be made available. But the students should assume there is no streaming option. There will be many possibilities for the students having difficutlies to come to the course to ask their questions. Specific (streamed) sessions could be envisaged for answering questions.  

The contents that will be subject to evaluation are the ones and only the ones available in recorded material (slides and explanations).

Teaching material

Mandatory

• Recorded theoretical lectures
• Course slides

Support (optional)

• Papers
• “Fundamentals of Ionizing Radiation Dosimetry”, by Andreo, Burns, Nahum, Seuntjens, and Attix (Wiley, 2017)
• "Handbook of radiotherapy physics" (Mayles, Nahum, Rosenwald)

Format: more information

Computer session - Individual assignment - Practice session

There will be two "lab" assignments for the students

• Implementation of a pencil beam dose calculation algorithm:

  • The students will have to solve a dose calculation problem, with a short Python program.

  • The goal is to show the potential and limitations of pencil beam dose convolution. Monte Carlo data is provided for comparison.

  • The code and the report need to be given to the teacher. They will be both graded. Conciseness is encouraged for the report

• Computation of PTV safety margins

  • The students will be given exercises and also simulation material in order to gain a practical understanding of PTV safety margin recipes

  • A report will be required. Again, conciseness is encouraged. 

Explanation

Lab reports amount for 30% of the mark (15% each). This grade is final (no possiblity to change the grade for a second session). 

The exam amounts for 70% of the mark (40% for the written part; 30% for the oral part)

All teaching material is available for the written part. This should be seen by the student as a way to improve comfort and avoid memorizing lengthy equations or definitions. However, in order to succeed to the exam, it is expected that the student knows the teaching material. Otherwise, it will take too long to the student to answer the questions of the exam. The questions are asked in a way it is possible to answer them without referring to the course if the latter is well known.

The oral part amounts to 30% of the score. Short questions are asked and the student need to make developments on the fly. The teaching material is not available for the oral part

Information about retaking exams

The exam follows the exact same format.

However, the grades for the lab reports are final and cannot be changed for the second session (if any). 

Content

A. Technical part

• Brief description of radioactive decay and Poisson noise.
• Interaction of photons with matter (absorption and scattering of photons).
• Detection of photons with the gamma camera and the PET camera:
  • a. scintillation crystal, PMT, mechanical and electronic collimation.
  • b. partial volume effect.
  • c. the influence of Compton scattering in SPECT and PET imaging.
  • d. corrections of the raw signal, which are essential in order to obtain a good picture of the radioactive distribution.
• Imaging:
  • a. planar imaging with the gamma camera.
  • b. tomography SPECT and (TOF-) PET.
• Transmission Tomography:
  • a. transmission scan with long-lived radioactive source.
  • b. Hybrid PET / CT systems.
• Quality control of the gamma camera and the PET camera.
• Well counters, radionuclide calibrators and survey meters.
• Image analysis:
  • a SUV. standardized uptake value.
  • b. models of tracer kinetics.
  • c. image quality.
• Dosimetry of radiopharmaceuticals.
• Radionuclide therapy.

B. Clinical part
1. Basics, radiopharmaceuticals, equipment.
2. Clinical applications of conventional nuclear medicine.

3. Clinical applications of PET-imaging.
4. Clinical applications of radionuclide therapy.
5. Clinical applications of dosimetry and radiation protection.

Course material

Course texts

Explanation

Closed book exam for the technical part, closed book for the medical part.

The course will be examined as a whole, not as the mere sum of the results on the technical and medical parts. A minimum score of 8/20 is required for both the technical and the medical part in order to succeed for this course. Otherwise a score of at most 9/20 can be obtained.

Content

Elements of nuclear physics for applications in radiopharmacy.

Production of radionuclides in a nuclear reactor and cyclotron, operation of generators.

Radiochemistry.

Quality control of radiopharmaceuticals and methods for measuring them.

Quality assurance of radiopharmaceuticals.

Dosimetry.

Detailed description of radiopharmaceuticals with specific problems of production and/or quality.

Course material

Online lecture modules

Radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine practice, R.J. Kowalsky, J.R. Perry, Appleton&Lange (Eds), 1987.

Content

- Observation of typical radiological procedures in general radiology rooms, CT and interventional radiology. Subsequently analyze the patent dose data with a dose monitoring platform.

- Observation of a medical physics quality assurance test.

- Observation of daily quality control procedures as in the breast cancer screening network.

- Participating to the meetings.

- Interacting with the personnel.

Course material

- Vademecum of radiology (www.fanc.fgov.be)

- Internal hospital procedures

- International guidelines

Format: more information

The student will spend two weeks in a radiology hospital service. During this time the student will learn about the tasks of a hospital physicist, by observing, participating to the meetings, and interacting with the rest of the personnel.

Content

- Observation of diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures (e.g. bone scintigraphy, myocardial perfusion scintigraphy, tumor imaging, brain imaging, radionuclide therapy …) by following the clinical care path of the patient.

- The following imaging modalities are involved: gamma camera, SPECT, SPECT/CT, PET/CT, and PET/MR.

- Observe the daily and periodic quality control measures for the following equipment: radionuclide calibrator, gamma camera, SPECT, and PET.

- Participating to the meetings.

- Interacting with the personnel.

Course material

- Internal hospital procedures

- International guidelines

Format: more information

The student will spend two weeks in a nuclear medicine hospital service. During this time the student will learn about the tasks of a hospital physicist, by observing, participating to the meetings, and interacting with the rest of the personnel.

Content

- Observation of the radiotherapy clinical workflow from patient setup, pre-treatment imaging, treatment planning, patient specific quality assurance, image-guidance and treatment delivery.

- Observe daily and periodic quality assurance of the different radiotherapy treatment modalities: conformal radiotherapy, VMAT/IMRT with photon beams, electron beam therapy, brachytherapy, proton therapy.

- Participating to the meetings.

- Interacting with the personnel.

Course material

- Internal hospital procedures

- International guidelines

Format: more information

The student will spend two weeks in a radiotherapy hospital service. During this time the student will learn about the tasks of a hospital physicist, by observing, participating to the meetings, and interacting with the rest of the personnel.

Explanation

Continuous assessment in clinical routine. At the end of this introductory internship, the student writes a single report on his/her activities in each of the three parts (hospital services) during this period.

Each of the three parts of this introductory stage is evaluated independently with a pass or a fail. A pass has to be obtained for each of the three parts in order to pass for this internship.

Information about retaking exams

Content

The master's thesis comprises the research work with thesis, supervised by a supervisor from the department, and as a rule with supervision in his/her research group. Students integrate and participate in ongoing research, including seminars, work discussions, study work, and last but not least, the performance of specific experiments and/or calculations. The work is reported in a scientific text (master’s thesis), and in a contradictory defense for all interested parties in the department and evaluators involved.

This specific learning activity focuses on the acquisition of research abilities in general. It can be exempted if the student has previously already performed research that was reported on in a master’s thesis and successfully passed the exam.

Master's thesis topic, validity period:

If the supervisor, at the end of the 3rd examination period of the second stage, finds that insufficient progress is made, this will be discussed with the student. The chairman of the program committee will be informed. It may be possible that in that case the choice of the topic lapses and that a new topic must be chosen. Reasons for the cancellation of the topic may be because:

• during the academic year in which the master's thesis is included in the ISP the student has worked, without legitimate reasons, too limited on the master's thesis research, or practical arrangements or agreements have not been fulfilled, so that the master's thesis could not be completed
• the supervisor can not offer the topic in a next academic year (e.g. the research topic is finished / stopped, guidance will no longer be possible in the research team when needed.

Course material

Professional specialized literature and books.

Content

The master's thesis comprises the research work with thesis, supervised by a supervisor from the department, and as a rule with supervision in his/her research group. It foremost concerns domains of the specialisms and expertise within the radiotherapy, radiology or nuclear medicine services of the UZLeuven hospital. Students integrate and participate in ongoing research, including seminars, work discussions, study work, and last but not least, the performance of specific experiments and/or calculations. The work is reported in a scientific text (master’s thesis), and in a contradictory defense for all interested parties in the department and evaluators involved.

This specific learning activity focuses specifically on the acquisition of research abilities in medical physics.

Master's thesis topic, validity period:

If the supervisor, at the end of the 3rd examination period of the second stage, finds that insufficient progress is made, this will be discussed with the student. The chairman of the program committee will be informed. It may be possible that in that case the choice of the topic lapses and that a new topic must be chosen. Reasons for the cancellation of the topic may be because:

• during the academic year in which the master's thesis is included in the ISP the student has worked, without legitimate reasons, too limited on the master's thesis research, or practical arrangements or agreements have not been fulfilled, so that the master's thesis could not be completed
• the supervisor can not offer the topic in a next academic year (e.g. the research topic is finished / stopped, guidance will no longer be possible in the research team when needed.

Course material

Professional specialized literature and books.

Explanation

The evaluation includes an assessment of the process and product (form and content; thesis and defense). Four grades are given: one from the promoter, one from each of two readers, and one for the defense. The relative weight of these four quotations is 10: 3: 3: 4. Each of the odds is determined using the faculty assessment grid and appreciation/grading scale. Additional faculty information can be found here.

The learning activity “General Research Abilities” can be exempted if the student has previously already performed research which was reported on in a master’s thesis and successfully passed the exam.

A necessary condition to pass for the master’s thesis is to upload a certificate of information skills in Toledo. This certificate can be obtained through the Faculty Toledo community “Academic Integrity at the Faculty of Science”. Obtaining and uploading the information literacy certificate is assessed via "pass / fail". A student who gets a "fail" for the certificate, gets a "fail" for the entire course unit, which is converted into a non-tolerable grade. In concrete terms, this means that anyone who does not obtain and upload the certificate cannot pass for the master’s thesis.

The master’s thesis does not qualify for tolerance.

Information about retaking exams

The master’s thesis can be submitted for a second exam after the necessary additions/modifications have been made, which potentially imply additional original research efforts.

Content

The student will spend the full period of this internship, i.e. 4 weeks in total, in one of the three hospital services of nuclear physics, i.e. radiology, nuclear medicine, or radiotherapy. During this time the student will learn, by observing, participating to meetings, interacting with the rest of the personnel, and by performing supervised tasks of a medical physicist.

Specific contents for each of the three hospital services where this internship can be performed are:

• Radiology:
  • Active participation in the medical physics team and observation of the medical physics work in clinical routine.
  • Observation of quality assurance procedures of typical x-ray devices, and possibly also CT and interventional radiology.
  • Taking part in patient dose monitoring surveys.
  • Investigation of a test procedure for an image quality optimization task.

• Nuclear Medicine:
  • Active participation in the medical physics team and observation of the medical physics work in clinical routine.
  • Observation of diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures, including the planning, preparation and administration of radionuclides, data acquisition, as well as data processing.
  • Assist with periodic quality control measures, where applicable.

• Radiotherapy:
  • Active participation in the medical physics team and observation of the radiotherapy clinical workflow from patient setup, pre-treatment imaging, treatment planning, patient specific quality assurance, image-guidance and treatment delivery.
  • Training in treatment planning of conformal radiotherapy, IMRT/VMAT and brachytherapy.
  • Taking part in daily and periodic quality assurance of the different radiotherapy treatment modalities: conformal radiotherapy, VMAT/IMRT with photon beams, electron beam therapy, brachytherapy, proton therapy.

Course material

- Internal hospital procedures

- International guidelines

Explanation

Continuous assessment in clinical routine. At the end of this internship period, the student writes a report according to the guidelines for the internship of the FANC/AFNC. This will become an essential part of the full internship report if the student wants to obtain later the certificate of “expert in medical physics”.

Information about retaking exams

Content

Basic QC protocols

Advanced QA protocols: 17 subtasks in every test session

Achieving robust QC protocols

MTF, noise and DQE measurements explored

Practical: image quality metrics in digital radiology

        - Case studies: example protocols

QA in breast cancer screening: from justification, (daily) QC, half yearly tests up to the safe introduction of new technologies

         -Students present a chapter of the European Guidelines in breast cancer screening and diagnosis

QA in CT imaging, including CT in hybrid technology and related 3D imaging techniques

QA in fluoroscopy

         -Practical: let’s make the outline for a QC protocol of a new device

Optimization strategies in radiology

         -Demonstration of optimization projects

Personalized patient dosimetry

Task based testing: From signal difference to noise ratio to task based testing and detectability indices

Tools to address image perception tasks

          -Demonstration of hoteling model observers for QC purposes. Make your own model observer.

Dose monitoring with a data collection platform as a tool for optimization

          -Demonstration: dose date surveys as requested by the FANC + the physicist’s favorite

New technologies: topic to be updated yearly. Example1: photon counting based CT

New technologies: topic to be updated yearly. Example2: synthetic mammograms from breast tomosynthesis

The role of the physicist in testing (new) image analysis software

Course material

Slides

The protocols as published by the FANC and by the Belgian Hospital Physicists Association.

The European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis, as downloadable from www.euref.org.

Scientific papers and test reports of the radiology research team illustrating optimization and dose monitoring in radiology.

Explanation

The presentation is scored on a total of 20% of the total score.

Content

Theoretical introduction to:

• National and international recommendations and guidelines (EC RP-162, EANM guidelines, AAPM reports, FANC technical regulations).
• International standards (ISO, IEC, NEMA) regarding performance measurements of gamma cameras, SPECT, PET, and radionuclide calibrators.
• Calibration and verification of imaging and non-imaging equipment in the field of nuclear medicine.
• Quality management audits in nuclear medicine practices (IAEA and B-Quanum).
• Technical regulations concerning the acceptability criteria for gamma cameras, PET, and radionuclide calibrators.

Course material

• Acceptance testing for nuclear medicine instrumentation, Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging (2010) 37:672–681.
• Routine quality control recommendations for nuclear medicine instrumentation, Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging (2010) 37:662–671.
• Quality Control of Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation and Protocol Standardisation, EANM Technologists Guide, 2017.
• Clinical Training of Medical Physicists Specializing in Nuclear Medicine, IAEA, Training Course Series no. 50.

Content

• Routine quality control techniques in nuclear medicine (gamma camera, SPECT, PET, radionuclide calibrator, gamma counter, intra-operative probe).
• Management and processing software for QA and QC in nuclear medicine.
• Performance measurements and clinical acceptance testing of equipment.
• Phantoms for performance and QC measurements.

Course material

• Acceptance testing for nuclear medicine instrumentation, Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging (2010) 37:672–681.
• Routine quality control recommendations for nuclear medicine instrumentation, Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging (2010) 37:662–671.
• Quality Control of Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation and Protocol Standardisation, EANM Technologists Guide, 2017.
• Clinical Training of Medical Physicists Specializing in Nuclear Medicine, IAEA, Training Course Series no. 50.

Explanation

The exam will consist of:

- a presentation of about 20 min, in group, with questions, regarding a topic related to the course material (e.g. explanation of a scientific article in the context of QA/QC, a standard or norm, …).

- an oral exam, with written preparation, regarding a practical QA/QC situation.

Content

A. Quality Assurance

-General concepts of quality assurance

-Acquiring new equipment

-Acceptance testing equipment

-Commissioning equipment

-Setting up periodic quality assurance (QA) program

-Quality assurance equipment

-International guidelines QA

-Machine QA in radiotherapy

-Image guidance system QA

-Patient specific QA

-Brachytherapy QA

-Software QA

-Process automation and digitalization

-Process QA and prospective risk analysis

B. Special techniques

-Total body irradiation techniques (total body irradiation, total skin irradiation, craniospinal irradiations)

-Brachytherapy

-Intra-operative radiotherapy

-Capita Selecta

Course material

-Handbook of radiotherapy physics (Mayles, Nahum, Rosenwald)

-International AAPM, IAEA, ESTRO and NCS guidelines

-Slides

Content

The course follows the textbook 'Fundamentals of Medical Imaging" by Prof. em. Paul Suetens. 

In Chapter 1, an introduction to digital image processing is given. It introduces the terminology used, the aspects defining image quality, and basic image operations to process digital images.

Chapters 2 - 6 explain how medical images are obtained. The most important imaging modalities today are discussed: radiography (Chapter 2), computed tomography (Chapter 3), magnetic resonance imaging (Chapter 4), nuclear medicine imaging (Chapter 5), and ultrasonic imaging (Chapter 6). Each chapter includes (1) a short history of the imaging modality, (2) the theory about the physics of the signals and their interaction with tissue, (3) the image formation or reconstruction process, (4) a discussion of the image quality, (5) the different types of equipment today, (6) examples of the clinical use of the modality, (7) a brief description of the biologic effects and safety issues, and (8) some future expectations.

Chapters 7 gives an overview of medical image analysis approaches to extract quantitative information from the images to support diagnosis and therapy planning and presents some model-based strategies to deal with ambiguity in the images.

Chapter 8 describes 3D visualisation approaches and their use for image-based guidance during treatment and surgical interventions. 

Course material

Study cost: More than 100 euros (The information about the study costs as stated here gives an indication and only represents the costs for purchasing new materials. There might be some electronic or second-hand copies available as well. You can use LIMO to check whether the textbook is available in the library. Any potential printing costs and optional course material are not included in this price.)

Textbook: P. Suetens, Fundamentals of Medical Imaging, 3rd edition, Cambridge University Press, 2017.

Course material available on Toledo:

- PDF version of each chapter of the textbook for personal use only

- Slides and handouts per chapter

- Course notes with additional explanations

- Exercises and solutions

- A list of equations

- An appendix with basic notions of linear system theory

Format: more information

There are +/- 18 lectures of 2h each. The scheme of the lectures is planned as follows:

Lecture 1: Course organization. 

Lecture 1-2: Basics of digital image processing

Lecture 2-3: RX

Lecture 4-5: CT

Lecture 6-7-8-9: MRI

Lecture 10-11: SPECT/PET

Lecture 12-13: US

Lecture 14-15-16: Image analysis

Lecture 17: 3D visualization

The remaining lecture is used as back-up in case a lecture is cancelled.

Content

The exercise sessions are intended to foster insight by making the various concepts from the lectures more tangible with numerical examples and by exploring the underlying assumptions, benefits and limitations of specific imaging setups. The exercise sessions are organized in line with the course chapters. A guided tour in the university hospital is also organised as part of the exercise sessions. 

Session 1: Basic image processing.

Session 2-7: Imaging modalities: RX, CT, MRI, US, SPECT/PET

Session 8: Image analysis & Visualization for diagnosis and therapy

Session 9: Guided tour within the departments of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine of UZ Gasthuisberg, Leuven.

Course material

A list of exercises per chapter and their solutions are provided on Toledo.

Content

To introduce students to heart activity and how it can be influenced by physiological signaling molecules and pharmacological tools:
– Myogenic heart activity
– Ions important for contraction of the heart
– Chronotropic and inotropic effect
– Effects of neurotransmitters (adrenaline and acetylcholine)
– Effect of propanolol, verapamil and G-stropanthin on heart contraction.
 

Course material

Manual available on Toledo + computer programme.

Format: more information

Using a computer/simulation-based approach, students will be able to monitor, analyze and discuss the properties of the heart and its regulation by physiological signaling molecules and by pharmacological agents. The insights and knowledge obtained from the lectures will be applied by the students.

Content

In the first part of the course, an overview of the most important concepts of general cellular physiology is given: membrane potential, receptors, hormones, etc. These concepts will then be used in discussion of neurophysiology and the endocrine system. These will be discussed thoroughly: chemical and electrical signal transmission in the nervous system and the relation with receptor cells for light (visual system), sound (hearing), balance, smell and general sensory observation. Molecular aspects of muscle contraction (smooth and skeletal muscles) and neural control and regulation of muscle contraction will be dealt with in detail. Finally, a reasonable part of the course will be dedicated to the special physiology of the heart, kidneys and the respiratory and digestive system.
Schematically, the course is subdivided into the following subjects:
Cellular physiology;
Cellular communication (electrical and chemical);
Introduction into neurophysiology;
Signal transmission in the nervous system;
Physiology of smooth and skeletal muscles;
Observation of light, sound, smell and balance;
Motoric system;
Endocrine functions;
Cardiovascular system: the heart and blood circulation
Kidney function;
 

Course material

Study cost: 51-75 euros (The information about the study costs as stated here gives an indication and only represents the costs for purchasing new materials. There might be some electronic or second-hand copies available as well. You can use LIMO to check whether the textbook is available in the library. Any potential printing costs and optional course material are not included in this price.)

Lecture notes on Human Physiology;
Edited by: Ole H Petersen
Published by Blackwell Science Ltd;
Reference: ISBN-13: 978-1-4051-3651-8    ISBN-10: 1-4051-3651-0

Explanation

The exam consists of open questions of which a number of larger questions and a number of shorter focussed questions. The questions are of the following types: "explain"/"interpret"/"analyse"/"calculate"/"make an integrated figure/scheme...". The aim of these questions is to assess the understanding of essential key concepts and principles in human physiology. The exam gauges to the knowledge obtained during the lectures and the practical courses.

Content

This course is about how physicians and other healthcare actors deal with different kinds of information, and how we can support them for those tasks through IT. Diagnostic images are discussed in more detail because they impose specific requirements on technology and user interfaces. The emphasis is on global aspects of data management and (tele)communication, in contrast to the ‘internal’ aspects of the data. For example, for imaging data, properties such as resolution or bit depth are mentioned, but the course does not discuss image processing methods to extract information from the images (which is a topic of other courses). The course also focuses more on how technology is used rather than on the technology itself. Experimental methods to extract information out of text or images are only mentioned in passing. 

The teachers are part of the team that is responsible for realizing and maintaining the medical information system of the University Hospitals Leuven. The course therefore starts from the requirements and challenges met in daily clinical routine, especially in a hospital setting. Rather than presenting cookbook recipes with IT solutions, the emphasis in this course is on pointing out the restrictions imposed by this particular context with, from an IT perspective, usually difficult users, highly flexible processes, and an often unfavourable management structure. 

The concepts presented in the lectures are illustrated using actual systems used in daily practice, often in the University Hospitals Leuven. Differentiation is made between what is (currently) realistic in practice and what could be achieved theoretically but for which practical application is still in the future. 

Course material

Slides, text for specific topics, papers. 

Content

For clarity, the course has been divided into 9 consecutive topics.

A. General Introduction
Introduction, Structure and organisation of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, General mechanisms of cell communication, Cell differentiation, Importance signal transduction.
 
B. Chromosomes and gene regulation
Storage of genetic information in cells, Expression of genetic information in cells, Molecular players in the storage and expression of genetic information.
 
C. Protein routing/sorting
Protein import in cell organelles, vesicular transport, Post-translational modifications.
 
D. Membranes and transport
Simple diffussion, Facilitated diffussion (carrier proteins, channel proteins), Active transport (direct:transport ATPases, indirect: pumps and symporters)
 
E. Signal transduction 1. Electrical signalling in nerve cells
Membrane potential, electrical signalling, neurotransmittors
 
F. Signal transduction 2. Chemical and metabolic signalling
Principles of signal transduction, Molecular build-up of signal transduction pathways, Receptors, Ligands, Signal transducers, Signal amplification, Domain structure of receptors and signal transducers, Integration of signal transduction pathways, Novel concepts in signal transduction.
 
G. Biochemical pathways and their control
Metabolic and signalling control of Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis, Krebs cycle, Glycogen metabolism
 
H. Cell cycle
Overview of the cell cycle, Mitosis, Meiosis, Cell cycle check points and control systems, Principles underlying Apoptosis and Cancer
 
I. Cell as a factory
Cell physiology, Case studies of cell engineering

Course material

Students can download presentations from Toledo.

We strongly recommend either one of the following textbooks:

• Essential Cell Biology; Authors: Bruce Alberts, Dennis Bray, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Peter Walter, Karen Hopkin, Alexander Johnson, Keith Roberts
• (preferably) Molecular Cell Biology; Authors: Harvey Lodish, Arnold Berk, Paul Matsudaira, Chris Kaiser, Monty Krieger, Matthew Scott, Lawrence  Zipursky, James Darnell
   

Explanation

Students will recieve three questions, one from each teacher. The scoring is as follows: part prof. Baekelandt 8/20, part prof. Winderickx 8/20 and part prof. Steenackers 4/20.

Information about retaking exams

The evaluation method for retaking the exam in the third examination period is the same as that of the first examination period.