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Unit outline_

MRTY5134: Computed Tomography Theory

Semester 1, 2020 [Online] - Cumberland, Sydney

This unit of study will provide a theoretical understanding of the science of computed tomography (CT). It will cover the basic physics of radiation attenuation, data acquisition, image reconstruction methods, and image display and recording. It will also include an overview of relevant post processing operations. Quality Assurance (QA) of CT scanners will be explored. Finally, CT radiation dose considerations, such as the measurement of Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI), the Dose Length Product (DLP), and the Effective Dose (ED), will be reviewed. The factors affecting dose will also be covered, along with approaches to reduce patient doses in the clinical setting.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Clinical Imaging
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Will Rae, will.rae@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Will Rae, will.rae@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Laboratory reports
Practical Report consisting of three sections assessing aspect of learning.
34% Multiple weeks
Due date: 05 Jun 2020 at 12:00

Closing date: 05 Jun 2020
Approximately 9 hours to complete task.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment CT Presentation Assignment
Submission of a 10 minute 15 slide presentation. Details on the Canvas site
30% Week 13
Due date: 05 Jun 2020 at 12:01

Closing date: 05 Jun 2020
10 min recorded power point presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO6 LO5 LO4
Small continuous assessment Weekly MCQ quizzes
Multiple choice questions done individually online. This is open book test.
36% Weekly 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Weekly MCQ quizzes: The quizzes will be online and will cover the content of the module readings and lectures during the first 12 weeks of semester. A range of question types will be used, e.g. multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching text, true or false, etc.
  • Laboratory reports: There will be three practical exercises to be completed during the first 8 weeks of the semester. These exercises will contain specific questions, which will be submitted in the form of a report.
  • Online Presentation: The presentation will be 10 minutes long and have 15 slides and will cover a self-selected topic. It will assess knowledge of several aspects of CT imaging and presentation skills. A detailed rubric will be included online in week 8 when the presentation assessment is announced.
  • Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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.

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 CT data acquisition and image reconstruction, including iterative reconstruction algorithms Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Digital imaging systems and CT image display Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 CT scanner instrumentation including sequential, helical and multi-slice Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 04 Expressing and measuring image quality Online class (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Radiation dose in CT Online class (2 hr) LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 06 Technical parameters relevant in CT scanning of the head and body including revision of key concepts in image production Online class (2 hr) LO8 LO9
Week 07 Post processing techniques (SSD, VR, SR, MPR, MIP etc.) Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO9
Week 08 Technical applications including cardiac, dual source, dual energy, dynamic, brain perfusion, cone beam and CT fluoroscopy Online class (2 hr) LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 09 CT image artefacts Online class (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 10 Quality control in CT Online class (2 hr) LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 11 Paediatric imaging considerations Online class (2 hr) LO6 LO8 LO9
Week 12 Combined modality imaging: SPECT/CT and PET/CT Online class (2 hr) LO9 LO10
Week 13 Revision of key concepts Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10

Attendance and class requirements

Required materials: desktop computer or laptop (not tablet), webcam and microphone (built-in or external), and connection to network with sufficient internet speed: at least 3 Mbps download speed and 3 Mbps upload. 

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 through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Seeram, E. Computed Tomography: Physical principles, clinical applications and Quality control. Fourth edition (Elsevier, 2016).

Online Text available as an ebook from the library could be useful as supplementary material: Bushberg, J. T., et al. (2012).  The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging.  (3rd ed) Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

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 fundamental principles of CT imaging
  • LO2. explain the fundamental concepts behind CT image formation and reconstruction
  • LO3. describe CT systems and instrumentation
  • LO4. understand and describe image quality parameters in CT
  • LO5. describe the major causes of image artifacts and how these may be mitigated
  • LO6. understand the factors which impact patient dose from CT scanning and their relationship to dose
  • LO7. describe how and why QA and QC are performed in CT.
  • LO8. identify reasonable parameters required for CT imaging applications, including paediatric imaging
  • LO9. discuss some recent advancements in CT technology
  • LO10. assess and explain recent advancements of some clinical applications of CT

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
1A.3.a. Operate CT systems safely and effectively.
LO2
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
1A.3.a. Operate CT systems safely and effectively.
LO3
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
1A.3.a. Operate CT systems safely and effectively.
LO4
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
1A.3.b. Apply appropriate imaging parameters for the patient/client presentation.
LO5
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
1A.3.d. Collaborate in the design and evaluation of CT protocols.
1A.3.f. Process data image sets, including multi-planar reformats and volume imaging.
LO6
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
1A.3.a. Operate CT systems safely and effectively.
1A.3.b. Apply appropriate imaging parameters for the patient/client presentation.
1A.3.c. Adjust relative radiation dose levels based on the range of patient/client presentations.
1A.3.d. Collaborate in the design and evaluation of CT protocols.
LO7
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
1A.3.a. Operate CT systems safely and effectively.
1A.3.c. Adjust relative radiation dose levels based on the range of patient/client presentations.
1A.3.f. Process data image sets, including multi-planar reformats and volume imaging.
LO8
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
1A.3.a. Operate CT systems safely and effectively.
1A.3.b. Apply appropriate imaging parameters for the patient/client presentation.
1A.3.c. Adjust relative radiation dose levels based on the range of patient/client presentations.
1A.3.d. Collaborate in the design and evaluation of CT protocols.
1A.3.e. Perform and evaluate contrast and non-contrast CT examinations of the body and, when appropriate, modify them to consider patient/client presentation and clinical indications.
1A.3.f. Process data image sets, including multi-planar reformats and volume imaging.
LO9
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
1A.3.a. Operate CT systems safely and effectively.
1A.3.b. Apply appropriate imaging parameters for the patient/client presentation.
1A.3.d. Collaborate in the design and evaluation of CT protocols.
1A.3.e. Perform and evaluate contrast and non-contrast CT examinations of the body and, when appropriate, modify them to consider patient/client presentation and clinical indications.
1A.3.f. Process data image sets, including multi-planar reformats and volume imaging.
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
1A.3.b. Apply appropriate imaging parameters for the patient/client presentation.
1A.3.c. Adjust relative radiation dose levels based on the range of patient/client presentations.
1A.3.d. Collaborate in the design and evaluation of CT protocols.
1A.3.e. Perform and evaluate contrast and non-contrast CT examinations of the body and, when appropriate, modify them to consider patient/client presentation and clinical indications.
1A.3.f. Process data image sets, including multi-planar reformats and volume imaging.

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

The lectures, practical work, and assessments are all designed to fit together to cover the work needed to be understood to achieve the objectives. This is better explained. The sound quality will be improved in the next series of lectures. The comments about the quizzes availability and content covered in the quizzes has been addressed. The availability of the quizzes, has been adjusted so that they are not only available over the weekends. They be available more toward the middle of the week. Some of the instructions on the web pages were not well understood and this has been corrected. The supplementary material is meant to be useful, but will not always be entirely relevant. It is an adjunct to the core material, and this has been made clearer.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

Work, health and safety

There are no specific work, health and safety (WHS) requirements for this unit.

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.