PHYS 365
Home Up Research Medical Physics

 

 

 

 

Course Title

:

Introduction to Medical Physics

Course Code

:

PHYS 365

Credit Hours

:

3

Prerequisite

:

PHYS 201 or PHYS 212

     

Textbook

* Medical Physics. Cameron J. R. & Skofronick J. G. Medical Physics Publishing Co.

 

References

* Physics of the Body. Cameron et al

[R895.C28 1999]

* Intermediate Physics for Medicine and Biology.  Hobbie [R895.H6 1997]

* Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering. Brown et al

[R895.M375 1999]

* Biology in Physics. Bogdanov

[QH505.B64 2000]

 

Course Description

The course aims at introducing the applications of physics in the field of medicine. Topics include: electricity and magnetism within the body, applications of sound and light in medicine, diagnostic x-rays, radioisotopes in medicine, radiation therapy, radiation protection, medical instrumentation. A visit to Saudi Aramco hospital is planned.

 

Teaching Tools

* Computer presentations

* Blackboard

* Transparencies

* Internet online courses

* Group discussions

* Tours of local hospitals

 

Assessment

Activity Weight
Problem Sets 20%
Quizzes 20%
Midterm Exam 20%
Final Exam 40%

 

Grading

Grade

Mark

A+ ≥89
A 82-88
B+ 75-81
B 68-74
C+ 61-67
C 54-60
D+ 47-53
D 40-46
F <40

 

Course Content

Session

Topic

1.

Chapter 9: Electricity Within the Body

2.

The Nervous System and the Neuron

3.

Electrical Potentials of Nerves

4.

Electrical Signals From Muscles

5.

Electrical Signals From the Heart

6.

Electrical Signals From the Brain

7.

Electrical Signals From the Eye

8.

Magnetic Signals From the Heart and Brain

9.

Chapter 12: Sound in Medicine

General Properties of Sound

10.

The Body as a Drum (Percussion in Medicine)

The Stethoscope

11.

Ultrasound Pictures of the Body

12.

Ultrasound to Measure Motion

13.

Physiological Effects of Ultrasound in Therapy

14.

Chapter 14: Light in Medicine

Measurement of Light and Its Units

Applications of Visible Light in Medicine

15.

Applications of Ultraviolet and Infrared Light in Medicine

16.

Lasers in Medicine

17.

Applications of Microscopes in Medicine

18.

Chapter 16: Physics of Diagnostic X-Rays

Production of X-Ray Beams

19.

How X-Rays Are Absorbed

20.

Making an X-Ray Image

21.

Radiation to Patients From X-Rays

22.

Producing Live X-Ray Images- Fluoroscopy

23.

X-Ray Slices of the Body

24.

Radiographs Taken Without Film

25.

Chapter 17: Physics of Nuclear Medicine

Review of Basic Characteristics and Units of Radioactivity

26.

Sources of Radioactivity for Nuclear Medicine

27.

Statistical Aspects of Nuclear Medicine

28.

Basic Instrumentation and Its Clinical Applications

29.

Nuclear Medicine Imaging Devices

30.

Physical Principles of Nuclear Medicine Imaging Procedures

31.

Therapy With Radioactivity

32.

Radiation Doses in Nuclear Medicine

33.

Chapter 18: Physics of Radiation Therapy

The Dose Units Used in Radiotherapy – the Rad and the Gray

34.

Principles of Radiation Therapy

35.

A Short Course in Radiotherapy Treatment Planning

36.

Megavoltage Therapy

37.

Short Distance Radiotherapy or Brachytherapy

38.

Other Radiation Sources

39.

Chapter 19: Radiation Protection in Medicine

Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation

Radiation Protection Units and Limits

40.

Radiation Protection Instrumentation

41.

Radiation Protection in Diagnostic Radiology

Radiation Protection in Radiation Therapy

Radiation Protection in Nuclear Medicine

42.

Chapter 17: Physics of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Magnetic Moments in external Magnetic Fields

Magnetization

43.

Relaxation Times

44.

Some Useful Pulse Sequences