KJM9962 – Applied Radiochemistry and Molecular Imaging
Course description
Course content
The course emphasizes applied radiochemical methods in biomedical imaging. Every day, radiotracer techniques allow for detailed, quantitative studies of tissue function in living systems using sophisticated imaging methods called PET and SPECT in hospitals.
In order to exploit the potential of tracing any molecule and its interaction with bimolecular targets on its way 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
- can adapt information from scientific sources didactically to suit a student audience
Admission to the course
PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through?Studentweb.
If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.
PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must?apply for a position as a visiting student?within a given deadline.
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 KJM5962 – Applied Radiochemistry and Molecular Imaging (discontinued).
Teaching
The teaching includes 18 lectures. In the second lecture, you will receive an assignment to review a scientific topic. There will be two 45 minute group sessions where you can discuss progress with the teacher. Then there will be a two-day mandatory seminar?where you present your findings. The presentation should be around 30 minutes long, and didactically appropriate for an audience of master students.
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: KJM5962 – 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 pass/fail scale. 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.