Course

10526197 Radiation Protection and Biology
Course Information
Description
Prepares radiography students to protect themselves and others from exposure to radioactivity. Students examine the characteristics of radiation and how radiation affects cell biology. Students apply standards and guidelines for radiation exposure.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies (Course Outcomes)
  1. Evaluate the characteristics and relationships of protons, neutrons, electrons and energy levels of the atom
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written, graphic and/or skill assessment
    Criteria
    you describe the characteristics of protons, neutrons, electrons and energy levels of the atom
    you describe the relationship between protons, neutrons, electrons and energy levels of the atom
    you explain the purpose of protons, neutrons, electrons and energy levels of the atom

  2. Compare the processes of ionization and excitation
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written, graphic and/or skill assessment
    Criteria
    you differentiate between ionization and excitation
    you name ionization processes
    you name excitation processes
    you describe the interaction with matter

  3. Compare natural and man-made sources of ionizing radiation
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written, graphic and/or skill assessment
    Criteria
    you contrast charged and uncharged forms of particulate radiation
    you characterize radioactivity
    you describe characteristics of radioactivity
    you distinguish between natural and man-made radiation
    you include examples of natural and man-made radiation

  4. Interpret photon interactions with matter
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written, graphic and/or skill assessment
    Criteria
    you illustrate photon interactions with matter
    you illustrate the effects of interactions with matter
    you specify the end result
    you associate the energies of interactions with matter

  5. Contrast the significance of photoelectric effect versus scattering interactions in diagnostic imaging
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written, graphic and/or skill assessment
    Criteria
    you identify effects of scatter radiation
    you identify effects of photoelectric radiation
    you explain the factors that alter the ratio of scatter radiation to PE radiation
    you select the interaction that is preferred for image formation
    you select the interaction that is preferred for patient protection

  6. Analyze the application of radiation protection principles for patients and personnel
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written, graphic and/or skill assessment
    Criteria
    you illustrate the effect of shielding on radiation protection
    you illustrate the effect of time on radiation protection
    you illustrate the effect of distance on radiation protection
    you identify controlled and uncontrolled facility and equipment design
    you describe the proper handling and disposal of radioactive materials

  7. Categorize between the various effects of radiation exposure
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written, graphic and/or skill assessment
    Criteria
    you differentiate between stochastic and deterministic effects
    you differentiate between early and late effects
    you differentiate between low dose and high dose effects

  8. Summarize the effects of radiation exposure to the cell
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written, graphic and/or skill assessment
    Criteria
    you describe effect of radiation on DNA
    you differentiate between direct and indirect and target theory
    you describe the radiolysis of water
    you identify different types of cell injury
    you identify biophysical events

  9. Compare monitoring devices used for the detection of radiation
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written, graphic and/or skill assessment
    Criteria
    you compare important features or attributes of monitoring devices
    you outline the similarities and differences between the monitoring devices
    you describe the uses and location of personnel monitoring devices

  10. Summarize standards from NCRP
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written, graphic and/or skill assessment
    Criteria
    you identify the standards from NCRP that apply to radiation technology
    you describe why the standards are important
    you recall current source of NCRP regulations
    you identify the radiation exposure limits for various populations and body parts

  11. Apply the different radiation exposure units
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written, graphic and/or skill assessment
    Criteria
    you include both SI units and traditional units
    you include the conversion factor for units
    you define exposure units

  12. Summarize the principles of cellular biology
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written, graphic and/or skill assessment
    Criteria
    you describe cell division
    you include the components of cell structure and their functions

  13. Summarize radio-sensitivity to tissues and organs
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written, graphic and/or skill assessment
    Criteria
    you describe damage to tissues and organs
    you include the components of tissues and organs and their functions
    you categorize tissues and organs according to the level of radio-sensitivity
    you include radio-protectants and radio-sensitizers

  14. Interpret graphic dose-related relationships
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written, graphic and/or skill assessment
    Criteria
    you compare dose response relationship graphs
    you differentiate between threshold and non-threshold effects
    you differentiate between linear and non-linear
    you give examples of each effect