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Unit outline_

MRTY5135: Hybrid Imaging A

Semester 1, 2024 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study will investigate the equipment, tomographic reconstruction, image display and analysis used in current clinical molecular and computed tomography (CT) morphological hybrid systems, e.g., SPECT/CT and PET/CT. Techniques used to improve image quality, quantification of radiopharmaceutical biodistribution and the reduction of radiation dose to the patient will also be included. Best practice utilisation for typical clinical presentations will be explored. Students will be introduced to imaging procedures and protocols for a range of equipment and radiopharmaceuticals. Future trends in the application of hybrid medical imaging will be investigated through a review of the current literature.

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 Dale Bailey, dale.bailey@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Peter Kench, peter.kench@sydney.edu.au
Roger Fulton, roger.fulton@sydney.edu.au
Dale Bailey, dale.bailey@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay
The topic of the review essay will be made available in the 2nd half of S1
50% Formal exam period
Due date: 16 Jun 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 17 Jun 2024
Approx. 2500 words(not incl. references)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Participation Online Discussions
Online Discussions initially seeded by the UoS coordinator
30% STUVAC
Due date: 02 Jun 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 03 Jun 2024
All semester
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Supervised test
? 
Mid-semester Quiz
Multiple-choice quiz
20% Week 09
Due date: 24 Apr 2024 at 17:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO1 LO2 LO3

Assessment summary

3 tasks are required. Pass mark is 50% overall.

Assessment criteria

A rubric is available on the LMS under the Turnitin assignment submission portal. Click on  graphic under the text ‘info’  

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 per University Handbook.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 History of NM/CT Online class (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 Current SPECT/CT equipment Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Current PET/CT equipment Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Image reconstruction techniques Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 05 Quantification in PET Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 06 Image registration & display Online class (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 07 Dose optimisation Online class (2 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 08 Quantification in SPECT Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 09 Image optimisation Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Impact on patient management of PET/CT Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Impact on patient management SPECT/CT Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Limitations of hybrid NM/CT Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 13 New developments & applications of NM/CT Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6

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.

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. A thorough understanding of the motivation behind combining multiple imaging modalities into a single “hybrid imaging” platform
  • LO2. Articulate the theoretical and practical bases of the use of multimodality hybrid technology in state-of-the-art medical imaging
  • LO3. Ability to clearly describe the individual roles of each modality in a hybrid imaging device and their unique individual and combined contributions to improving diagnostic performance
  • LO4. Implement necessary QA in multimodality imaging
  • LO5. Ability to articulate how CT imaging has been instrumental in increasing the quantification accuracy of SPECT and PET functional images
  • LO6. Appraise the cost/benefits of multimodality imaging against any increased exposure to ionising radiation and in which situations these parameters may need to be reassessed

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
1.3. Understand and apply the different methods of imaging and treatment.
1.3.a. Understand the different imaging and treatment pathways in medical radiation practice.
1.3.b. Understand the modalities and equipment used in the different imaging and treatment pathways across medical radiation practice.
1.3.c. Understand use of CT, MRI and PET in the localisation of a range of cancer sites, patient/client presentations and related planning procedures.
LO2
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
1.3. Understand and apply the different methods of imaging and treatment.
1.3.a. Understand the different imaging and treatment pathways in medical radiation practice.
1.3.b. Understand the modalities and equipment used in the different imaging and treatment pathways across medical radiation practice.
1.3.c. Understand use of CT, MRI and PET in the localisation of a range of cancer sites, patient/client presentations and related planning procedures.
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.
LO3
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
1.3.c. Understand use of CT, MRI and PET in the localisation of a range of cancer sites, patient/client presentations and related planning procedures.
Domain 4.1.d. Recognise opportunities to contribute to the development of new knowledge through research and enquiry.
Domain 5.1.f. Identify radiation risks and implement effective and appropriate risk management systems and procedures.
LO4
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
1.3.d. Operate equipment and apply knowledge of laboratory procedures to practice when necessary.
1.7.b. Apply quality criteria to assure image quality, evaluate medical images and identify any urgent and/or unexpected findings.
1A.1.a. Operate projection radiography systems safely and effectively in a range of settings.
LO5
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
1.3.b. Understand the modalities and equipment used in the different imaging and treatment pathways across medical radiation practice.
1A.3. Perform computed tomography (CT) imaging.
1A.3.a. Operate CT systems safely and effectively.
Domain 5.1. Perform and provide safe radiation practice.
Domain 5.3.c. Identify and take appropriate action to correct unacceptable condition or operation of all equipment.
Domain 5.3.d. Follow protocols to record and report non-conformance of all equipment.
LO6
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
1.3.d. Operate equipment and apply knowledge of laboratory procedures to practice when necessary.
1.7.b. Apply quality criteria to assure image quality, evaluate medical images and identify any urgent and/or unexpected findings.

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

Students will be asked to complete an online evaluation towards the end of S1.

Disclaimer

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

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