Students

HLTH3140 – Radiographic Physics, Practice and Protection

2024 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Christopher Burrell
Contact via Email
75 Talavera Rd, Rm 2229
Thursdays 1pm-2pm or via appointment
Lecturer
Hazel Jenkins
Contact via Email
By appointment
Lecturer
Rich Mildren
Contact via Email
By appointment
Lecturer
Adrian Repole
Contact via Email
By appointment
Physics Practical Administrator
Adam Joyce
Contact via Email
By appointment
Tutor
Dean Esposito
Contact via Email
By appointment
Tutor
Josh Fitzgerald
Contact via Email
By appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including 40cp at 2000 level
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit is conducted to develop your knowledge in the underlying physical principles of medical radiation science and radiographic image production to prepare you for further study in diagnostic radiology. The unit includes key components of radiation physics, image production, and image processing to provide you with an understanding of the use and application of medical diagnostic radiography. You will be introduced to the biological effects of radiation and related safety concerns and radiation protection techniques.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Identify the properties of x-rays and explain how they interact with matter, influence image quality, and inform patient safety standards
  • ULO2: Explain the working principles of diagnostic imaging modalities and how they influence image production
  • ULO3: Critically appraise the principles of radiographic image production and processing
  • ULO4: Summarise the biological effects of radiation and explain the importance of radiographic protection in relation to radiography

General Assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 127-8).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

 For example:

Number of days (hours) late

Total Possible Marks

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

1 day (1-24 hours)

100

5

75

70

2 days (24-48 hours)

100

10

75

65

3 days (48-72 hours)

100

15

75

60

7 days (144-168 hours)

100

35

75

40

>7 days (>168 hours)

100

-

75

0

 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online quiz 1 25% No Week 8, 14 April 11:55pm
Online quiz 2 15% No Week 11, 19 May 11:55pm
Physics lab book 10% No Week 13
Final theory exam 50% No University Exam Period

Online quiz 1

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Week 8, 14 April 11:55pm
Weighting: 25%

 

Online quiz on material covered in lectures and tutorial sessions on radiographic physics and the biological effects of radiation

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify the properties of x-rays and explain how they interact with matter, influence image quality, and inform patient safety standards
  • Explain the working principles of diagnostic imaging modalities and how they influence image production
  • Summarise the biological effects of radiation and explain the importance of radiographic protection in relation to radiography

Online quiz 2

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 11, 19 May 11:55pm
Weighting: 15%

 

Online quiz on material covered in image formation lectures and tutorial sessions

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the working principles of diagnostic imaging modalities and how they influence image production
  • Critically appraise the principles of radiographic image production and processing

Physics lab book

Assessment Type 1: Lab book
Indicative Time on Task 2: 9 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%

 

Lab books associated with 3 in-person lab sessions performed across the session

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify the properties of x-rays and explain how they interact with matter, influence image quality, and inform patient safety standards
  • Explain the working principles of diagnostic imaging modalities and how they influence image production

Final theory exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: University Exam Period
Weighting: 50%

 

The exam will assess material from the whole semester

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify the properties of x-rays and explain how they interact with matter, influence image quality, and inform patient safety standards
  • Explain the working principles of diagnostic imaging modalities and how they influence image production
  • Critically appraise the principles of radiographic image production and processing
  • Summarise the biological effects of radiation and explain the importance of radiographic protection in relation to radiography

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of in-person and online learning activities described below:

 

LECTURES

2-hour weekly lectures that will be a mix of online and in-person lectures, as well as flipped classroom sessions held Thursdays 1-3pm. 

 

TUTORIAL SESSIONS

4 x 1-hour tutorial sessions per student as scheduled. You will be divided into separate groups and attend alternate weeks. The schedule will be released and made available on the iLearn page early in the Session. 

 

PHYSICS LABORATORY SESSIONS

3 x 3-hour physics laboratory sessions per student as scheduled. You will be divided into separate groups and will attend the appropriate weeks as indicated on the schedule, available on the unit iLearn page early in the session.

 

iLEARN PAGE

The web page for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au and following the links for either Postgraduate or Undergraduate students. There is a combined iLearn page for HLTH3140 and CHIR6410 students which will hold all the unit information. There will also be a separate iLearn page for each unit which will just hold assessment results (this is due to how the university systems treat co-taught units such as this).

 

RECOMMENDED READINGS

  • Radiologic science for technologists: physics, biology, and protection. Bushong, Stewart C. (Stewart Carlyle), author. Eleventh edition. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier 2017

 

ADDITIONAL READINGS

  • Essentials of radiologic science. Fosbinder, Robert.; Orth, Denise. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2012
  • Principles of radiological physics. Graham, Donald T.; Cloke, Paul J. 4th ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone 2003
  • Introduction to Radiologic Technology. LaVerne Tolley Gurley & William J. Callaway (7th Edition); Mosby St Louis 2011

 

TECHNOLOGY USED

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop, or similar device. Students who do not own a laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.

Unit Schedule

See iLearn for a detailed unit schedule.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Inclusion and Diversity

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life, and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse, and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction, or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

Professionalism

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however, you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience, and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive at all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join the activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off before entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.


Unit information based on version 2024.01R of the Handbook