Useful links
Unit of study_
PHYS5029: Nuclear Medicine Physics
2025 unit information
This unit of study will introduce the student to the physics associated with diagnostic and therapeutic applications in Nuclear Medicine. This will cover the use of radionuclides for imaging in single photon (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET), tomographic image reconstruction and kinetic analysis of imaging data. Internal radionuclide dosimtery will also be addressed.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Physics Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
?
|
None |
|---|---|
|
Corequisites:
?
|
None |
| Prohibitions:
?
|
None |
| Assumed knowledge:
?
|
Calculus, differential equations, Fourier analysis, and linear algebra |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Clinical nuclear medicine
- LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the basics of nuclear physics and radioactive decay (relevant to the applications of radionuclides in nuclear medicine)
- LO3. demonstrate an understanding of statistics and estimation methods relevant to nuclear medicine
- LO4. demonstrate an understanding of the interaction of charged particles with matter (relevant to the interaction of radiation in detectors)
- LO5. demonstrate an understanding of the nuclear medicine detectors (both theoretical and experimental)
- LO6. demonstrate an understanding of the general principles of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging & therapy; recognise the differences between different nuclear decay processes and how these are exploited in human health & disease
- LO7. describe the components and function of the gamma camera and image formation
- LO8. explain cross-sectional image reconstruction from external projections by inversion of the Radon Transform using the Central Slice Theorem; explain the process of image reconstruction by Filtered Back-Projection (FBP)
- LO9. describe the process of image reconstruction using iterative algorithms; explain image formation in Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT); discuss the pros & cons of image reconstruction by FBP compared to an iterative algorithm (e.g., OSEM)
- LO10. explain image formation in Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
- LO11. recognise the difference between gamma photon and positron imaging techniques; discuss the role of nuclear medicine in cancer therapy and where systemic radionuclide treatments are appropriate; and draw a distinction between morphological (radiology) and functional (nuclear medicine) imaging
- LO12. Quantitative nuclear medicine
- LO13. demonstrate an understanding of the absorbed dose and effective dose in nuclear medicine; dose calculation methods; deriving quantitative time-activity data from imaging (2D and 3D); dose kernel convolution for 3D dose assessment; and clinical examples of dosimetry.
- LO14. Demonstrate an understanding of particles and their structures at the nanoscale
- LO15. Demonstrate an understanding of the physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles
- LO16. Explains the physical foundations for nanoscale phenomena, as well as their effects and applications (e.g., including quantum dots, superparamagnetic nanoparticles)
- LO17. Describe the application of nanoparticles in theranostic nuclear medicine including radiolabelled nanoparticles for multimodal imaging and radionuclide therapy
- LO18. Demonstrate an understanding of the current application of Nano-Radiopharmaceuticals
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 1 2025
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
Find your current year census dates
Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
