Course Learning Outcomes:

1. Estimate the biological effects on humans from different sources of ionizing radiation.
2. Describe the basic interactions of x-rays and charged particles with matter, and use this understanding to calculate radiation energy deposition in mater.
3. Describe some of the medical equipment used for radiation therapy and imaging from the perspective of the physical mechanisms involved in the radiation production and detection.
4. Derive and calculate some basic properties of x-ray images.
5. Use fundamental physical properties such as x-ray attenuation coefficients to explain the workings of conventional radiography and computed tomography.
6. Describe the physical basis for ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging.
7. Describe different methods for radiation therapy.
8. Use basic dose calculation techniques to determine doses received from a simple radiation therapy treatment.
9. Perform independent reading and critical analysis of medical physics related topics.
10. Work as a group to create an in-depth poster presentation on a selected medical physics topic.
11. Give an oral presentation and answer questions on the selected medical physics topic.
12. Evaluate peer presentations.
13. Assess personal and team member contributions to a project.
14. Critically assess news articles related to radiation exposure and describe key institutions involved in radiation safety.