Outline

Overview

MRTY1036 is a Junior level unit designed specifically for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Science (MRS) Diagnostics Radiography. It provides a basic knowledge and understanding of concepts in radioactivity and ultrasound, laying the foundation for understanding ultrasonic transducers, cyclotrons and radiation detectors. It also explores the effects of ionising and non-ionising radiation on biological systems, including implications for radiological protection.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Physics Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	John O'Byrne, john.obyrne@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Steven Meikle, steven.meikle@sydney.edu.au
	Yaser Hadi Gholami, yaser.gholami@sydney.edu.au
	Zdenka Kuncic, zdenka.kuncic@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Final online examination Online Final examination	60%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 1 Written short answer assignment	10%	Week 06 Due date: 17 Sep 2021 at 23:59 Closing date: 01 Oct 2021	Typically 4-6 pages
Outcomes assessed:
In-semester test (Record+)	Online In-semester test Online In-semester test	20%	Week 08 Due date: 08 Oct 2021 at 14:00	50 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2 Written short answer assignment	10%	Week 11 Due date: 29 Oct 2021 at 23:59 Closing date: 12 Nov 2021	Typically 4-6 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Pre-lecture quizzes Brief quizzes on lecture material	0%	Weekly	Typically ~5 MCQs
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Workshop Tutorials Submission of worksheets	0%	Weekly	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Studio Lab Sessions Answers to questions on simulation and experimental work	0%	Weekly	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = Type B final exam ? = Type B in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

Below are brief assessment details. Further information can be found in the Canvas site for this unit.

Assignments

There are two assignments, each consisting of several questions. The assignments are designed to help you develop problem-solving skills, practice written answers and obtain some progressive feedback.

We encourage students to discuss assignments, but we will NOT accept assignments that are simply copied between students or from any other source. You should write your final answers independently, expressing the answers in your own words and with your own working. Allowing your work to be copied is unfair to other students and ultimately, does not help the student copying from your work.

The problem-based assignments typical of this unit are different to more essay-based assignments in other disciplines. References are generally NOT necessary unless you use a direct quote from a source. If you do reference a source, choose any style of referencing you normally use providing it is clear.

Pre-lecture Quizzes

Pre-lecture quizzes will consist of several multiple choice questions delivered on-line using the Canvas system. They are intended to encourage you to prepare for lectures by reading the textbook and any notes we supply and to test your understanding of material to be covered in the lectures in the coming week. Answers will be apparent from the relevant sections of the reading. You do not need to get every answer right, but only a serious attempt at a quiz will be regarded as satisfactory completion of the quiz. To meet the standard for a pass in the unit you need to satisfactorily complete at least 8 out of 12 quizzes. Otherwise there will be a small mark penalty.

Workshop Tutorials

Workshop Tutorials are an important part of success in this Unit of Study because they make you think through the material and provide experience in answering the style of questions that may appear in the Final Exam. They do not contribute to your final mark.

Studio Lab Sessions

Assessment in the studio lab sessions is based on successful completion of experimental and simulation tasks and other activities conducted in the sessions. You are awarded check points for satisfactorily completing each activity. To meet the standard for a pass in the unit you need to satisfactorily complete at least 6 out of 8 Studio Labs (12 out of 16 check points). Previous experience indicates that this is not difficult to achieve if you apply yourself during each session. Otherwise there will be a small mark penalty.

In-Semester Test

A 50 minute in-semester test on unit content from the first lecture module (Radioactivity) will be held in place of the Tutorial and Studio Lab sessions in Week 8. It is intended to give you experience of exam-style questions in exam conditions and give you some feedback on how your understanding of the course material is developing

Final Examination

A two-hour online examination covering the material included in the unit of study is held at the end of the semester. You will be asked to write descriptive answers to questions, to explain physical principles and to answer quantitative questions, all aimed at demonstrating your progress in achieving the goals of the unit. An ability to memorise formulae and manipulate them without understanding the associated concepts will not be rewarded. The final exam will cover material from the entire unit, including material tested in the in-semester test, although the second half of the unit will have a slightly greater emphasis.

See the Sample Exam papers in the Canvas pages for this unit for an accurate indication of the exam structure.

Note that attempting the final examination is required for a pass in this unit.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Representing complete or close to complete mastery of the material.
Distinction	75 - 84	Representing excellence, but less than complete mastery.
Credit	65 - 74	Representing a creditable performance that goes beyond routine knowledge and understanding, but less than excellence.
Pass	50 - 64	Representing at least routine knowledge and understanding over a spectrum of topics and important ideas and concepts in the course.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

The grading system used in this unit of study is somewhat different from that used in most other units. It is based on setting appropriate standards in different types of assessment. Your final grade will be based principally on your performance in the final exam, the mid-semester test and assignments. However, ALL assessments are compulsory and have mark standards that must be achieved.

Your final grade will be based principally on your performance in the two examination-style assessments where you are working by yourself:

final exam (60%)
in-semester test (20%)

and assignments:

assignment 1 (10%)
assignment 2 (10%)

The minimum standard to achieve a pass mark in this unit is:

examinations + assignments = 50%

In addition you must meet satisfactory standards in the participation assessments:

pre-lecture quizzes – minimum standard = 8 from 11
studio labs – minimum standard = 12 from 16

If you do not meet these standards you may be penalised for each by up to 2% of the total mark.

For example:

If you did relatively poorly in the mid-semester test (7/20), but much better in the assignments (16/20) and final exam (53/60), your total mark would be 76. This is a Distinction (DI) standard. However, for this to be your final result, you would also need to achieve the assumed standard in ALL your participation assessments - i.e.

satisfactorily participated in at least 8/11 pre-lecture quizzes
satisfactorily completed at least 12/16 checkpoints in the lab

Most Distinction students will achieve these standards easily as part of their conscientious work during the semester. However, if (for instance) you satisfactorily participated in only 7/11 quizzes and 13/16 lab checkpoints, you would be penalised by 2 marks for quizzes but not for lab. Your final result would then drop to 74 CR.

Of course, if you have a valid reason for missing an assessment which is approved via the Special Consideration process, your marks will be adjusted to allow for this.

The way to succeed in this unit is to do well in the various tests and assignments (as always) and to complete most (preferably all) of the participation assessment tasks.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As an example, for an assessment given a mark of 7/10, the penalty would be 0.5 marks if submitted up to 24 hours late, resulting in a final mark of 6.5/10. If the assignment is submitted 6 days late, the penalty would be 3 marks and the final mark would be 4/10. If you have difficulty submitting an assessment on time, you should submit an application for Special Consideration. A Simple Extension of up to two working days negotiated with the unit coordinator is occasionally an alternative. However, in this unit, Simple Extensions will only rarely be granted since justifiable reasons for extension should usually be eligible for Special Consideration.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Lecture 1: Ionising Radiation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Lecture 2: Radioactivity	Lecture (2 hr)
	Workshop 1	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Lab 1: Half life	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 03	Lecture 3: Semiconductors	Lecture (2 hr)
	Workshop 2	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Lab 2: Penetration of α, β, γ radiation	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 04	Lecture 4: Radiation Detectors	Lecture (2 hr)
	Workshop 3	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Lab 3: Counting statistics	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 05	Lecture 5: Radionuclide production and imaging	Lecture (2 hr)
	Workshop 4	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Lab 4: Radiation detectors	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 06	Lecture 6: Radionuclides in Medicine	Lecture (2 hr)
	Workshop 5	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Lab 5: NO LAB	Science laboratory (0.01 hr)
Week 07	Lecture 7: Dosimetry, Radiation protection, Safety - 1	Lecture (2 hr)
	Workshop 6	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Lab 6: Safety & dosimetry	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 08	Lecture 8: Dosimetry, Radiation protection, Safety - 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	In-semester test - NO LAB, WORKSHOP	Science laboratory (1 hr)
Week 09	Lecture 9: Dosimetry, Radiation protection, Safety - 3	Lecture (2 hr)
	Workshop 7	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Lab 7: Ultrasound 1 - Waves & sound	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 10	Lecture 10: Radiation biology - 1	Lecture (2 hr)
	Workshop 8	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Lab 8: Ultrasound 2 - Impedance, reflection & imaging	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 11	Lecture 11: Radiation biology - 2	Lecture (2 hr)
	Workshop 9	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Lab 9: Ultrasound 3 - Doppler effect	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 12	Lecture 12: Radiation biology - 3	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Lecture 13: Legislation	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance requirements for this unit of study have been amended. You will have chosen either on-campus enrolment (CC) or online/remote enrolment (RE).

On-campus Lectures, Workshop Tutorials and Studio Labs have been scheduled and CC students should make every effort to attend and participate at the scheduled time – provided this is allowed under Covid restrictions.

Online access to these classes has also been scheduled for RE students and they should also make every effort to attend and participate at the scheduled time. These sessions can also be attended by CC students if required under Covid restrictions.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library Reading List link available in the Canvas site for this unit.

Textbook: Essential Physics for Radiographers, 4th Edition (2008), John Ball, Adrian D. Moore and Steve Turner, Blackwell Publishing.
Recommended References: Radiological Science for Technologists, 10th edn, S C Boshung, Elsevier 2012 (or earlier editions).
Several readings for this unit.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand the key physics concepts related to particle radiation - the nucleus, nuclear forces and radioactivity, nuclear reactions, nuclear radiation and radiation measurement, nuclear-based imaging
LO2. understand dosimetry, radiation monitoring and protection, safety legislation and the biological effects of radiation.
LO3. understand the key physical concepts related to ultrasound imaging - basic wave concepts, acoustic impedance, scattering and attenuation, Doppler shift and Doppler ultrasound.
LO4. apply key physical concepts to solve qualitative and quantitative problems in the radiographic context
LO5. demonstrate an understanding of the instruments used to measure particle radiation and ultrasound, together with basic experimental skills in their measurement and the analysis of resulting data.
LO6. find and analyse information and judge its reliability and significance
LO7. communicate scientific information appropriately, both orally and through written work
LO8. engage in team and group work for scientific investigations and for the process of learning
LO9. demonstrate a sense of responsibility, ethical behaviour and independence as a learner and as a scientist

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - Domain 2.1.a. Understand and comply with legal responsibilities. Domain 5.1.c. Apply knowledge of radiobiology and medical radiation physics to examinations/treatment. Domain 5.1.d. Apply knowledge of radiobiology and radiation dose adjustment to deliver safe and effective patient/client outcomes.
	Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - 1A.2.e. Apply knowledge of imaging acquisition modes and radiation dose rates. Domain 5.1.c. Apply knowledge of radiobiology and medical radiation physics to examinations/treatment. Domain 5.1.d. Apply knowledge of radiobiology and radiation dose adjustment to deliver safe and effective patient/client outcomes.
	Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - 1.10.b. Apply knowledge of the principles of ultrasound physics to minimise the likelihood of biological effects and identification of artefacts.
	Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - 1.10.b. Apply knowledge of the principles of ultrasound physics to minimise the likelihood of biological effects and identification of artefacts.
	Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - 1A.2.b. Effectively communicate with the multidisciplinary team as the imaging request, patient history and previous medical images are reviewed, the patient is assessed to receive care and the procedure is planned. Domain 3.1.b. Communicate effectively with the patient/client (and at times beyond the patient/client) to collect and convey information about the proposed examination/treatment. Domain 5.2.b. Review, communicate, record and manage patient/client information accurately, consistent with protocols, procedures and legislative requirements for maintaining patient/client records.
	Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - 1A.2.b. Effectively communicate with the multidisciplinary team as the imaging request, patient history and previous medical images are reviewed, the patient is assessed to receive care and the procedure is planned. Domain 3.1.b. Communicate effectively with the patient/client (and at times beyond the patient/client) to collect and convey information about the proposed examination/treatment.
	Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - Domain 4.1.d. Recognise opportunities to contribute to the development of new knowledge through research and enquiry.

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We welcome comments on all aspects of this unit. You should feel free to talk to your lecturers, tutors or the Unit Coordinator A/Prof. John O’Byrne at any time. There is also a formal opportunity for feedback via the USS questionnaire for this unit, available online towards the end of semester. This year we have reduced the number of assignments to two, resulting in a change to the allocation of assignment marks. There has also been a small change in the way in which engagement in Pre-lecture Quizzes, Workshop Tutorials and Studio Labs is counted towards your final mark, with the aim of making it easier to understand. In particular Tutorial submissions are no longer required, reducing the assessment load on students and emphasising the (formative) learning importance of the sessions.

Additional information

EQUITY, ACCESS AND DIVERSITY STATEMENT

The School of Physics recognises that biases and discrimination, including but not limited to those based on gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and age, continue to impact parts of our community disproportionately. Consequently, the School is strongly committed to taking effective steps to make our environment supportive and inclusive and one that provides equity of access and opportunity for everyone.

The School has Equity Officers as points of contact for students who may have a query or concern about any issues relating to equity, access and diversity. If you feel you have been treated unfairly, discriminated against, bullied or disadvantaged in any way, you are encouraged to talk to one of the Equity Officers or any member of the Physics staff.

More information can be found at https://sydney.edu.au/science/schools/school-of-physics/equity-access-diversity.html

Any student who feels they may need a special accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Disability Services: https://sydney.edu.au/study/why-choose-sydney/student-support/disability-support.html who can help arrange support.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MRTY1036: Health Physics and Radiation Biology

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect