Outcomes:

After completing this class, students should be able to:

• Describe the properties of particle beams and the equipment required to generate a particle beam.
• Describe the interactions of charged particles with matter.
• Evaluate the role of radiation protection in establishing occupational limits and room shielding.
• Explain the purpose of a quality assurance program and differentiate quality assurance from quality control.
• Analyze the factors that influence photon beams.
• Describe the major factors of photon beam attenuation.
• Describe various radiation detection instruments and identify the appropriate situations for the use if each instrument.
• Explain how correction factors for chamber calibration, temperature, pressure and other factors are used to correct a chamber reading.
• Describe the process for calibration of a basic x-ray machine and for a linear accelerator.
• Identify radioisotopes that are commonly used for brachytherapy procedures.
• Describe radiation safety procedures associated with brachytherapy sources and implants.