Emory University School of Medicine

Allied Health Professions 1997-1999

Radiation Oncology Physics

Program Director P. H. McGinley, Ph.D.

Medical Director L.W. Davis, M.D.

Professors L.W. Davis, M.D., P.H. McGinley, Ph.D., P. Sprawls, Jr., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor K.A. Klee, Ph.D.

Instructors E.S. Elder, M.S., E.K. Butker, M.S.

MASTER OF MEDICAL SCIENCE DEGREE

The Radiation Oncology Physicist

The radiation oncology physicist is trained in the use of radiation for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The training includes a strong clinical component and a well-balanced collection of academic courses that cover nuclear physics, radiation physics, radiation protection, and the treatment planning methods. He or she also should have a basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.

As a consultant to the radiation oncologist, the radiation oncology physicist or medical physicist is responsible for treatment planning, dosimetry, health physics, and all aspects of irradiation techniques. Medical physicists also may be involved in training, research, and developments related to radiation therapy. In addition, they interact with other physicians, developing and providing clinical care.

The Emory Radiation Oncology Program

The Emory Radiation Oncology Program is a five-semester, post-baccalaureate program leading to a master of medical science degree.

The first three semesters of the program consist of lecture and laboratory courses. The second year of the curriculum provides clinical training in radiation oncology physics. During the second year, the student, working both alone and as a part of a team, gains experience in managing the various physics problems encountered in treating patients with radiation. As a result, the student will acquire a high level of proficiency in dealing with the medical physics needs of patients under the care of a radiation oncologist.

The program expects to be granted accreditation in 1997 by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs, c/o Dr. Gary Barnes, CAMPEP Committee Director, Department of Radiology, University Hospital, University of Alabama, 619 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL 35233, telephone 205-934-0071.

Information on application procedures and application forms may be obtained by writing to Dr. P.H. McGinley, The Emory Clinic, Department of Radiation Oncology, 1365 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322.

Admission Requirements

1. Admission of students to the radiation oncology physics program is based on an adequate training in the physical sciences. Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree in physics, chemistry, or engineering or a degree in the biological sciences, with a strong background in physics and mathematics. The mathematics background should include competence with differential equations and differentiation and integration of functions of several variables. One year of general college level physics and a course in nuclear physics are required for admission. A knowledge of computer programming and electronics is also recommended.

2. A combined score of at least 1800 on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections of the GRE institutional code 5196).

3. Three letters of recommendations, one of which should be from an undergraduate adviser or an instructor in the student's major.

4. Personal interview, after an initial screening, with two members of the admissions committee.

5. Approval of admission by the admissions committee.

TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Students enrolled in the master of medical science program in radiation oncology physics should have the physical, mental, and emotional skills outlined below:

1. The student must develop the ability to deal with patients and professional staff. The student must be able to

   A. Communicate effectively with the patients and professional staff.

   B. Effectively employ the instruments used to obtain patient data for treatment planning;

   C. Instruct and inform staff members, patients, and family regarding radiation safety procedures.

2. Participate in physical activities in the radiation treatment facility and in the patient's hospital room. These activities include:

   A. Lift, move, and position dosimetry equipment used to calibrate and perform quality control measurements for external beam and brachytherapy treatment units.

   B. Recognize colors used to code various brachytherapy sources and instrument leads.

   C. Move quickly and accurately when working with brachytherapy sources.

   D. Hear radiation treatment device alarms and signals.

3. Successfully participate in all aspects of the educational program including lectures, laboratory exercises, and clinical activities.

4. Demonstrate good judgment, honesty, and reliability in dealing with other students, the professional staff, and parents.

The director of the radiation oncology physics program welcomes questions or inquiries from individuals with disabilities regarding the standards and their application to each individual's unique situation. In each case, a determination can be made as to whether the individual is qualified for admission to the program and if reasonable accommodations can be made. While the radiation oncology physics program is prohibited by federal law from making inquiries about specific disabilities prior to admission, applicants who are selected for admission must be prepared to meet the performance standards in order to complete the program.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Students must complete required courses and the clinical internship (sixty-seven semester hours) with a grade of C or better and have an overall average of B or better. The required courses include a two-semester clinical residency. Permission to begin the second year of the program will be based on an evaluation of the student by the progress committee. A comprehensive examination (oral and written) must be completed during the last semester of the residency.

REQUIRED COURSES

Basic Allied Health Sciences

500. Anatomy
Fall. Credit, three hours.
Basic developmental microscopic and gross anatomy of the human body systems. Anatomical terms, structures, and relationships, emphasizing functional significance in problem-solving situations.

Radiation Oncology Physics

505. Nuclear Physics
Fall. Credit, three hours.
Atomic theory, X-rays, atomic structure, basic properties of the nucleus, radioactivity, nuclear disintegration, neutron physics, absorption of radiation, and accelerators.

510. Radiation Dosimetry
Fall. Credit, three hours.
A comprehensive survey of fundamental principles of the dosimetry of ionizing radiation is presented. In addition, the basic concepts of microdosimetry, interface dosimetry, and LET measurements are introduced.

515. Electronics and Radiation Detection Instruments
Fall. Credit, three hours.
AC and DC circuits, semiconductor devices, and digital electronics. Physical principals of various radiation detection and measurement devices. Geiger Muller counter, proportional counter, TLD systems, scintillation crystals, pulse height analyzer, and solid state detectors.

525. Radiological Health Physics
Spring. Credit, three hours.
Biological effects of radiation, protection standards, dosimetry of internal and external radiation, and health physics control programs.

530. Physics of Radiation Oncology
Spring. Credit, four hours..
Introduction to the physics of radiation therapy. Allows the student to gain medical physics experience in a clinical or hospital setting. Basic radiation-producing devices are described. This is followed by a discussion of calibration protocols. Techniques used for patient treatment planning are presented. Approximately 25 percent of the lecture time is devoted to brachytherapy.

535. Diagnostic Imaging
Spring. Credit, four hours.
Characteristics of imaging systems, quality control, health physics, computer tomography, MAI, and ultrasound.

540. Medical Terminology
Spring. Credit, one hour.
Introduction to medical terminology required for radiation therapy.

545. Radiation Oncology
Summer. Credit, three hours.
Presentation of the sequence of steps that are carried out for cancer patients from the diagnosis of disease to patient treatment. The following parts of the treatment chain are covered: patient work-up, staging, overall treatment plan, isodose production, dosimetry, patient set-up, and treatment. Extensive hands-on use of the treatment planning computer basic dosimetry equipment and patient setup aids is required of each student.

550. Medical Physics Internship
Summer. Credit, four hours.
Each student is required to spend eighteen hours per week in a clinical environment at one of several hospitals in the Atlanta area. The purpose of the internship is to gain practical experience in a radiation therapy department. The students' activities are supervised by the medical physicist associated with each hospital, and the overall responsibility for the course rests with the medical physics program director.

555. Radiation Biology
Summer. Credit, three hours.
The effects of ionizing radiation on biological systems including cells organs, tissues, and organisms; late effects including mutation and carcinogenesis; methods of protection; and modification.

560. Radiation Shielding
Summer. Credit, two hours.
Shielding techniques for medical accelerators, cobalt units, high dose rate afterloader, diagnostic radiology X-ray units, nuclear medicine, and brachytherapy.

665. Physics of Nuclear Medicine
Fall. Credit, three hours.
Characteristics of nuclear medicine imaging systems, assay, calibration, quality assurance, patient dose estimation, and health physics.

670. Residency in Radiation Therapy I
Fall. Credit, fourteen hours.
Practical experience in all areas of radiation therapy. Each student will be assigned to a physicist, but will also interact with therapists and clinicians.

675. Residency in Radiation Therapy II
Spring. Credit, fourteen hours.
A continuation of 670.

697r. Independent Study
Each semester. Variable credit.
Individualized study designed by the student and his/her faculty adviser. Specialized learning experience, related to students program, not available through formal course offerings.

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