FYS3535 – Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics
Course description
Course content
The course provides an introduction to how radioactive substances and the physical properties of the atomic nucleus are used in medicine, both for diagnostics and therapy.
Learning outcome
After completing the course:
- you are familiar with the basic physical and chemical properties of radioactivity and radioactive substances.
- you are familiar with the concept of radiation dose, and you can describe the different interactions of nuclear radiation with matter and how this is relevant for the detection of radiation.
- you know examples of how radioactive nuclides can be produced in different types of nuclear reactions (using neutrons and charged particles).
- you know how radiation can be used for diagnostics, such as Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), X-ray, Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
- you can explain how different types of radiation can be used for cancer therapy, both externally (such as proton therapy, 12C therapy, gamma-ray sources and bremsstrahlung) and internally (radionuclide therapy and targeted radionuclide therapy).
- you can describe the concept of theranostics, and how it combines different aspects of diagnostics and therapy.
- you are familiar with the concept of connecting radionuclides to carrier molecules and their transport paths, physiological functions and interactions with processes in the body.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
Special admission requirements
In addition to fulfilling the?Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:
- Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2) + R2
And in addition one of these:
- Physics (1+2)
- Chemistry (1+2)
- Biology (1+2)
- Information technology (1+2)
- Geosciences (1+2)
- Technology and theories of research (1+2)
The special admission requirements may also be covered by?equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies?(in Norwegian).
Recommended previous knowledge
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with FYS4535 – Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics.
- 10 credits overlap with FYS9535 – Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics.
Teaching
The first lecture is mandatory. If you are unable to attend, the Department of Physics has to be informed no later than the same day (studieinfo@fys.uio.no), or else you will lose your place in the course.
- 4 hours of lectures per week
- 2 hours of group teaching per week.
The course includes the following mandatory activity, which has to be approved before the final exam:
- Individual oral presentation on an assigned topic during a group exercise.
Examination
- Final written exam, 3 hours (multiple choice and written answers), which counts 100% towards the final grade.
This course has mandatory assignments that must be approved before you can sit the final exam.
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for (one of) the following course(s): FYS4535 – Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics and FYS9535 – Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics
Examination support material
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English. You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a?postponed exam?at the beginning of the next semester.
New examinations?are offered at the beginning of the next semester for students who do not successfully complete the exam during the previous semester.
We do not offer a re-scheduled exam for students who withdraw during the exam.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.