FYS4535 – Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics

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 understand the basic physical and chemical properties of radioactivity and radioactive substances.
  • you know the concept of radiation dose, and you understand the different interactions of ionizing radiation with matter and how this is relevant for the detection of radiation.
  • you are able to discuss 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 admitted at UiO must?apply for courses?in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may?apply to take this course as a single course student.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

Overlapping courses

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): FYS3535 – 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

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Common Student System) Dec. 22, 2024 8:49:50 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
10
Teaching
Spring

If the course is offered, a minimum of four students is required for ordinary lectures to take place. If less than four students participate, an exam will be given, but one should not expect ordinary teaching.

Examination
Spring
Teaching language
English

Contact

Department of Physics