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Unit outline_

PHYS5006: Medical Imaging Physics

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In this unit normally undertaken as part of the Masters of Medical Physics degree or the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics, the physical principles underlying the physics of imaging in diagnostic radiology, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and functional imaging modalities are covered. Advanced techniques, such as multi-modality imaging, are also introduced.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Physics Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Students should have basic undergraduate level physics and maths

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Paul Charles, paul.charles@sydney.edu.au
Guest lecturer(s) Stuart Grieve, stuart.grieve@sydney.edu.au
Laboratory supervisor(s) Jillian Clarke, jillian.clarke@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Annette Haworth, annette.haworth@sydney.edu.au
Phillip Janowicz, phillip.janowicz@sydney.edu.au
Roger Fulton, roger.fulton@sydney.edu.au
Will Rae, will.rae@sydney.edu.au
Owen Dillon, owen.dillon@sydney.edu.au
Jennifer Diffey, jennifer.diffey@sydney.edu.au
Siddharth Mehta, siddharth.mehta@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final exam
Final exam
55% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Small test Oral Assessment
Oral assessment: Lecture weeks 2-4
20% Week 06
Due date: 04 Sep 2023 at 10:00
15 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO5 LO8 LO2
Assignment Practical Lab 1
Practical Lab 1: Diagnostic Radiology at SWHB
15% Week 09
Due date: 04 Oct 2023 at 23:59
1 week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO8 LO11
Tutorial quiz Practical Lab 2
Practical Lab 2: Ultrasound at SWHB
10% Week 10
Due date: 10 Oct 2023 at 12:00
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO10 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Practical labs: These labs will be based on the clinical practical class at Susan Wakil Health Building
  • Lab Assignments: These will be based on material presented in practical/virtual labs drawing on material presented in lectures and will be assessed by the respective lab supervisors/lecturers.
  • Oral Assessment: will be based on lecture material, and readings and will be assessed by the lecturers.
  • Final Exam: will be based on lecture material, and readings and will be assessed by the lecturers.

Final exam: If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam). The alternative assessment will meet the same learning outcomes as the original exam. The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the unit coordinator

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

All assessments are compulsory.

Assessment tasks are intended to allow you to demonstrate what you have learned related to the goals of this unit. They also serve
to encourage you to work with the material but should not dominate your approach to learning. See them as another learning
activity, accompanying and complementing the lectures and labs.

In addition, students in physics must be able to express themselves accurately by clear, efficient use of the English language in
their written work. Spelling, grammar, punctuation and correct use of language will be taken into account when written reports and
examination work are assessed. Students should refer to the University’s WriteSite (http://writesite.elearn.usyd.edu.au/) if they are
looking for guidance on grammar and other aspects of academic and professional writing.

Assessment of this unit of study is based on achievement of specific learning objectives as demonstrated in a combination of
assignments, tests, examination and laboratory work. Satisfactory performance in assessments across all learning outcomes is necessary to ensure a pass in this unit. It is expected that a grade of at least 45% across all assessments and the final examination will be achieved
in order to demonstrate satisfactory performance. A combined score of at least 50% is necessary for a pass as indicated in the
section “Assessment Grading” below.

You are responsible for understanding the University policy regarding assessment and examination, which can be found in the
University Policy Register at http://sydney.edu.au/policies/

 

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

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

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 X-ray production and imaging principles Lecture (3 hr) LO1
Week 02 Radiography Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Fluoroscopy and interventional radiology Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO8 LO10
Week 04 Mammography Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO5 LO8 LO10
Week 05 Fundamentals of image quality Lecture (3 hr) LO8
Week 06 Computed Tomography Lecture (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 07 Multimodality imaging Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO7 LO10
Week 08 Ultrasound Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6 LO8 LO10
Practical Lab 2: Diagnostic Radiology at SWHB Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO8 LO11
Research Methods Part 2 Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 09 Radiation dose from diagnostic imaging Lecture (3 hr) LO9
Week 10 Practical Lab 2: Ultrasound at SWHB Practical (3 hr) LO2 LO6 LO10
Week 12 Radiology: Clinical overview Lecture (3 hr) LO10
Week 13 AI in Diagnostic Imaging Lecture (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Where online tutorials/workshops/virtual laboratories have been scheduled, students are expected to attend and participate at the scheduled time. Penalties will not be applied if technical issues, etc. prevent attendance at a specific online class. In that case, students should discuss the problem with the coordinator.

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 Reading List, available on Canvas.

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. demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles underlying image acquisition and image reconstruction
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the operation of medical imaging equipment for diagnostic radiology
  • LO3. demonstrate an understanding of CT system design and CT image reconstruction
  • LO4. demonstrate an understanding of various modes of CT acquisition
  • LO5. demonstrate an understanding of the differences between conventional radiography and mammography equipment
  • LO6. demonstrate an understanding of the basic physics of ultrasound imaging and how clinically useful images can be formed using ultrasound
  • LO7. demonstrate an understanding of the principles of multimodal imaging e.g. PET/CT, SPECT/CT and PET/MR scanner design
  • LO8. demonstrate an understanding of the perception and evaluation of image quality for medical images
  • LO9. demonstrate the ability to determine radiation doses from external radiation sources used for imaging
  • LO10. demonstrate an understanding of the clinical applications of medical imaging
  • LO11. demonstrate an understanding of the essential elements of quality management systems used in diagnostic radiology

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

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

More information can be found on Canvas site for this unit.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There will be optional site visit for this unit. Please check the Canvas site for this unit.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

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.