HomeMy WebLinkAboutRTT-130RTT 130 Radiation Biology and Protection Page 1
Bergen Community College
Health Professions Division
Radiation Therapy Technology Program
Course Syllabus
RTT- 130-001 Radiation Biology and Protection
Date of Most Recent Syllabus Revision: Summer, 2018
Course Typically Offered: Fall semester
Syllabus last reviewed by: Curriculum Committee Date: 2005
Course Description
RTT-130 Radiation Biology and Protection - This course explores the cellular and systemic
effects of radiation exposure. Radiation health, safety, and federal and state requirements will
be enforced.
3 lecture / 3 credits
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: RTT 110, RTT 120, RTT 121, RTT 150
Student Learning Objectives:
As a result of meeting the requirements in this course, students will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
Integrate laws and principles of radiation biology to the clinical practice of radiation
therapy.
Identify radiosensitive components of the cell and the influence of the physical, chemical
and biologic factors on radiosensitivity.
Define target theory and differentiate between direct and indirect effects of ionizing
radiation.
RTT 130 Radiation Biology and Protection Page 2
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16.
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18.
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26.
Define linear energy transfer (LET) and discuss factors affecting relative biological
effectiveness (RBE).
Compare somatic and genetic effects of radiation.
Describe factors influencing radiation response of cells and tissues.
Discuss the laws of Bergonié and Tribondeau.
Interpret cell survival curves to determine radiosensitivity under numerous conditions.
Describe radiation syndromes and factors influencing response.
Differentiate between linear, nonlinear, and threshold and nonthreshold dose response
curves.
Describe the 5 Rs of radiobiology.
Describe the clinical significance of TD5/5 and TD50/5.
Discuss the concept of LD50/30.
Compare the relationship of time, dose, fractionation, volume, distance and site to radiation
effects.
Distinguish between units of radiation quantities and radiobiologic measures: radiation for
exposure, absorbed dose, dose equivalence and radioactivity.
Differentiate between stochastic and nonstochastic effects of radiation exposure.
Defend the concept of as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) and apply this concept
to legal and ethical radiation protection responsibilities of radiation workers Discuss the
concept of negligible individual risk.
Explain the theory, operation, applications and limitations of radiation detection devices
including methods used for personnel monitoring.
State the authority, boundaries and regulations of the state and national regulatory
agencies.
Discuss the requirements and responsibilities of the radiation safety officer.
State the exposure limits for occupational and nonoccupational individuals.
Explain techniques used to reduce unnecessary dose to the patient.
Discuss the principles of radiation protection room design factors.
Describe the elements of a radiation protection survey for an inpatient undergoing
brachytherapy.
Demonstrate an understanding of cell biology and explain its importance in
radiation therapy.
Means of Assessment:
The Student Learning Objectives (SLO) in this course are intended to be aligned with the
Radiation Biology and Radiation Protection accreditation requirements of The Joint
Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection. They are also correlated with the content specifications for the
national registration examination in Radiation Therapy administered by The American
Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Additional student learning objectives may be specified
in particular units.
RTT 130 Radiation Biology and Protection Page 3
The major assessment types (means of assessment) utilized in this course are objective tests,
quizzes, homework assignments and class participation.
Course Content:
Content is designed to provide the student with underlying biological concepts for the
justification of the administration of radiation in the therapeutic setting. Additionally, the
course focuses on ethical and legal radiation protection and safety responsibilities required of
the radiation therapist.
Course Website:
RTT-001 Radiation Biology and Protection is a “web-enhanced” class. The class has its
own website and each member of the class has an account for the website. The BCC online
course management system is known as “Moodle”. This website will provide the student with
review and assessment materials.
Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials:
All text books are available through the Bergen Community College Bookstore.
Washington, Charles M., Leaver, Dennis. Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy. St.
Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier Publishing, Inc., 4th.ed. 2015. ISBN: 978-0-323-28752-4
Reference Material:
Travis, Elizabeth LaTorre. Medical Radiobiology. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier Publishing,
Inc., 2nd edition, 2000. ISBN 0-8151-8837-4. (out of print)
Khan, Faiz, M., The Physics of Radiation Therapy. Philadelphia, PA:Wolters
Kluwer/Lippincott Williams &Wilkins. 4th ed. 2010. ISBN 978-0-7817-8856-4.
Course Requirements and Learning Assessment:
A student’s final grade for the course is based primarily on his or her performance on the
required work for the course (Quizzes/homework assignments, examinations and class
participation).
Quizzes (25% of final grade)
Students are expected to be prepared for a quiz in each lecture session. Missed quizzes may not
be made up.
RTT 130 Radiation Biology and Protection Page 4
Homework Assignments (10% of final grade)
Assignments will be used to reinforce classroom presentations. The assignments will be
collected, graded and returned. Late assignments will not be accepted.
Examinations (60% of final grade)
Three examinations will be administered in class. Each test will be worth 20% of your final
grade. The tests cover the major topics of the course: Radiation Biology (2) and Radiation
Protection and Safety (1). The test schedule will follow the classroom presentation and the
content of the test will be based on the required textbook readings, classroom presentations
and handouts. PowerPoint presentations and supplemental handouts are distributed in class.
All tests are required. In the event that a test is missed, the student will be given a comparable
test. A make-up test is at the discretion of the instructor of the course.
Overall Class Participation (5% of final grade)
In order to participate in particular lectures and discussions, all related reading and
assignments must be completed prior to that class session. Please be advised that you must be
present to participate, yet that alone does not constitute active participation.
The following behaviors will be utilized to assess class participation:
Positive Behaviors:
1. Attend class regularly and on time and not leave early.
2. Be well-prepared for class by doing assigned reading.
3. Participate appropriately with relevant comments, questions or answers to questions
presented in class.
4. Show respect and value for the content of the course.
5. Take all online tests.
Negative Behaviors:
1. Being absent from or being late for class.
2. Leaving class early.
3. Walking out of and coming back into class.
4. Sleeping in class.
5. Devalue the content of the course.
6. Behaving inappropriately in class (e.g., acting silly, conducting private conversations
in the back of the room, distracting behaviors such as eating, drinking or chewing gum
in class; defacing classroom furniture; etc.)
7. Being impolite, rude, or discourteous to me or to your classmates.
8. Not being adequately prepared for class.
9. Speak without thinking – demonstrate a lack of reasoning and critical thinking skills.
10. Submit research paper late.
11. Be absent for testing.
Grading Policy:
RTT 130 Radiation Biology and Protection Page 5
The grading policy and course grade appeal policy of the program are stated in the Radiation
Therapy Student Handbook. The program grading policy utilizes the standards of the
American Registry of Radiologic Technologist national registry exam.
Letter Grade Numerical Range Conversion
A 92% to 100% Excellent
B+ 89% to 91.9% Very Good
B 83% to 88.9% Good
C+ 80% to 82.9% Marginal / Acceptable
C 77% to 79.9% Poor / Failing
I Incomplete
E Unofficial withdrawal
W Official Withdrawal
D / F Does not apply to RTT
courses
77% is the minimal passing cut-off score.
There is no extra credit opportunities in this course.
Attendance Policy:
BCC Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled
meeting of each course in which they are registered. Attendance and lateness policies and
sanctions are to be determined by the instructor for each section of each course. These are to
be established in writing on the individual course outline. Attendance will be kept by the
instructor for administrative and counseling purposes.
Radiation Therapy Program Attendance Policy: Classroom attendance policy for the
Radiation Therapy Program is stated in the Radiation Therapy Student Handbook. The student
is responsible for adherence to this policy.
Attendance Policy in this Course: Students are expected to attend class regularly and
punctually and for the full class period. Attendance will be taken at each class session. In the
event of a late arrival, the student is expected to enter quietly without disturbing the class. In
the event of an absence, it is the responsibility of the student to acquire the missed material.
The attendance policy of this course will adhere to the attendance policy of the Radiation
Therapy Program as stated in the Radiation Therapy Student Handbook.
Absences, lateness and early departures will diminish your overall performance in the course
and, subsequently, will increase your risk of diminished performance on the ARRT national
registry exam and the administration of responsible patient care. Additionally, the BCC
Radiation Therapy Program provides employment assistance upon graduation from the
program and ARRT registration; your classroom attendance behavior may be used by your
instructor as an indicator to your employment attendance behavior.
Quizzes: If late or absent from class, any quiz given, student will receive a 0 for that quiz.
RTT 130 Radiation Biology and Protection Page 6
Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements
The Radiation Therapy Program adheres to all Bergen Community College policies, including
drug and alcohol use and smoking on campus, discrimination and harassment, rules and
regulations governing conduct, rules governing academic integrity and acceptable use of
information technology resources as stated in the BCC College Catalog – Policies.
The Bergen Community College Radiation Therapy Program adheres to a no cell phone policy
in the classroom, laboratory and clinic.
Course Outline and Calendar
Note to Students: The following Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to change,
depending upon the progress of the class.
Week Date(s) Topics/Activities/Assignments Readings
W&L
Chapter(s)
Travis
Chapter(s):
1 Mon.
Wed.
Principles of Pathology
Benign versus malignant classification of disease
3
3
2 Mon.
Wed..
Review of Cell Biology
Basic Biologic Interactions of Radiation
4 1
2
3 Mon.
Wed.
Cellular Response to Radiation-Fate of Irradiated Cells
Survival Curves and Repair
4 3
3
4 Mon.
Wed.
Tissue Radiation Biology
Modification of Cell and Tissue Response to Radiation
4 4
5
5 Mon.
Wed.
Modification of Cell and Tissue Response to Radiation
Examination 1
4 5
6 Mon.
Wed.
Radiation Pathology
Total Body Radiation Response – Radiation Syndromes
4
6
7
7 Mon.
Wed.
Total Body Radiation Response – Embryo and Fetus
Late Effects of Radiation
4 7
8
8 Mon.
Wed.
Late Effects of Radiation con’t
Clinical Radiobiology I: Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear
Medicine
4 8
9
9 Mon.
Wed.
Clinical Radiobiology II: Therapeutic Radiology
Clinical Radiobiology II: Therapeutic Radiology con’t
4 10
10
10 Mon.
Wed.
Review
Examination 2 (Radiation Biology comprehensive exam)
W&L
Chapter(s)
Khan
(Chapter(s)
RTT 130 Radiation Biology and Protection Page 7
11 Mon.
Wed.
Why Radiation Protection?
Objectives of a Radiation Protection Program
17 16
12 Mon.
Wed.
Units, Detection and Measurement Measurement
Devices
17 16
13 Mon.
Wed.
Surveys, Regulatory Agencies and Regulations
Surveys, Regulatory Agencies and Regulations con’t
17 16
14 Mon.
Wed.
Personnel Monitoring
Practical Radiation Protection: External Beam
Practical Radiation Protection: Brachytherapy
17
17
14
16
16
16,15
15 Mon.
Wed.
Review
Examination 3 (Radiation Protection and Safety)