KJM5962 – Applied Radiochemistry and Molecular Imaging
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The course emphasizes applied radiochemical methods in biomedical imaging. Imaging methods called PET and SPECT allow for tracing radiolabelled molecules through the body. Sophisticated labeled radiotracers enable detailed, quantitative studies of molecular interactions in living systems. This principle allows visualization and quantitative analysis of biochemical reactions in living subjects as well as diagnosis of disease. In order to exploit the potential of tracing molecules and following their interaction with biomolecular targets en route through a living organism, particular design and synthesis requirements are to be met. What happens after a radioactive probe leaves the shielded hot cell? Where do the pictures come from and what do they tell us? How far can the method be pushed and what are we really looking at?
Keywords: Detection, Shielding, Imaging (PET/SPECT), Image Resolution, Physical and chemical limitations for medical application, Quantitative Imaging.
Learning outcome
After completing this course, you:
- understand the practical consequences of physicochemical characteristics of radionuclides in radiotracer studies
- have a practical comprehension of the physicochemical parameters when dealing with ionizing radiation
- have basic knowledge of PET and SPECT radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals in action
- understand the scope and limitations of PET/SPECT imaging
- have a good comprehension of the basic principles of quantitative molecular imaging
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.
Recommended previous knowledge
A background in chemistry equivalent to KJM1100 – General chemistry (continued), KJM1110 – Organic chemistry I (continued), KJM1120 – Inorganic Chemistry (continued), KJM1130 – Physical Chemistry I - Thermodynamics and Kinetics, KJM2600 – Physical chemistry II - quantum chemistry and spectroscopy (continued) and KJM3200 – Organic Chemistry II, in addtion to either KJM3900 – Radioactivity or KJM5901 – Radiochemical methods (discontinued), is recommended. Students with a different background must expect to work extra.
Overlapping courses
- 5 credits overlap with KJM9962 – Applied Radiochemistry and Molecular Imaging (discontinued).
Teaching
The teaching includes?18 lectures. In the second lecture, you will also receive a project assignment where your task is to solve a scientific problem independently. There will be two 45 minute group sessions where you can suggest an approach and discuss progress with the teacher. Then there will be a two-day mandatory seminar where you present the solution to your problem in a 15-minute oral presentation, followed by discussion.
It is the sole responsibility of participants to obtain and maintain study materials provided in each lecture or exercise.
Examination
- A project assignment with an oral presentation, which counts 20 % towards the final grade.
- Final written exam, 2 hours, which?counts 80 % towards the final grade.
The project assignment and?oral presentation must be passed?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 courses: KJM9962 – Applied Radiochemistry and Molecular Imaging (discontinued)
Examination support material
Pen, pocket calculator, Karlsruhe chart of the nuclides + booklet.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in 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 examination at the beginning of the next semester.
Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass the original examination.
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.