Medical Physics (MSc)

Applications and Selections

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Glossary of Terms

Year 1 (90 Credits)

RequiredSI2103: Fundamentals of Physiology

SI2103: Fundamentals of Physiology

Semester 1 | Credits: 5

Fundamental Physiology (SI210) is a blended learning 5 ECTS module that has been specifically created to provide students of Health & Safety Systems with some fundamental knowledge of human body function that is relevant to their course of study.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

1. Appreciate the role of Physiology in a range of professional careers.
2. Appreciate the concept of homeostatic mechanisms within the body or ‘body balance’.
3. Understand the importance of water in the body, and the relevance of body fluid compartments.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of how foreign substances or pathogens can gain access to the body to cause toxicity or disease, both at a systemic and at a cellular level.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the physiology of the common routes of toxin entry, including the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.
6. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the physiology of the nervous system and some well-known examples of neurotoxins.
7. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of how muscles work, and some musculoskeletal disorders that are common in the workplace.
8. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the functions and composition of the blood and some common vascular disorders.
9. Understand the fundamentals of how the heart works, and the electrocardiogram (ECG).
10. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of some mechanisms that the body uses to defend itself against disease and injury, including inflammation.
11. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the physiological changes that occur in pregnancy, the development of a baby during pregnancy and the risks associated with teratogens.

Assessments

• Written Assessment (60%)
• Continuous Assessment (40%)

Teachers

•  LOUISE ANN HORRIGAN 🖂
  
•  ANTONY WHEATLEY 🖂
  
•  CAIT FAHY 🖂
  
•  Liza O'Regan 🖂
  

RequiredPH5122: AI Applications in Medical Physics

PH5122: AI Applications in Medical Physics

Semester 2 | Credits: 5

This is a self-contained module designed to train the student into the fundamentals and applications of relevant AI methodologies in contemporary medical physics. Extensive use is made of the Python programming ecosystem in demonstrating and illustrating practical applications of these AI methodologies using differing medical physics contexts including medical imaging, radiotherapy and virtual clinical trials. This module directly addresses SDG 3:'Good Health and Well-Being' and SDG 4:'Quality Education' by providing a robust foundational understanding of how quantitative & AI methodologies can be used to optimise the resolution of complex, data intense problems confronted by practicing medical physicists, as well as developing intuitive skills in how best to engage and progress data science solutions that are transferable to resolving contemporary societal challenges.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

1. Deploy effective programming skills using Python to preprocess and conduct exploratory analysis of medical physics related data products.
2. Develop and deploy solutions using the Python programming and other cognate computational processing ecosystems to process image/time-series datasets, based around a solid understanding of the fundamental algorithms involved and their contextual relevance to contemporary medical physics applications.
3. Develop and apply practical statistical and AI based solutions to complex data science problems in contemporary medical physics using the Python/R software ecosystems.
4. Articulate and define the statistical properties of complex high-dimensional data & how to build, test and deploy a statistical/AI model based upon such data
5. Design and implement clinical trials in support of precision medical physics applications, and the AI can play in their acceleration, expediting their potential impact for patient welfare.

Assessments

• Written Assessment (70%)
• Continuous Assessment (30%)

Teachers

•  MARK FOLEY 🖂
  
•  AARON GOLDEN 🖂
  
•  REBECCA NOLAN 🖂
  
•  Christoph Kleefeld 🖂
  
•  CAIT FAHY 🖂
  

RequiredPH5110: Research Project

PH5110: Research Project

15 months long | Credits: 30

The student will conduct independent research on a clinical problem and summarise the research and results in a short thesis. The student will also be introduced to the concepts of ethics in research, publication and in medicine and the clinical practice.

Learning Outcomes

1. Summarise the basic concepts of conducting independent research
2. Define a clinical problem and a possible solution grounded in the application of physics in medicine to solve it
3. Conduct in-depth literature research focused on the research problem
4. Conduct the proposed research, taking account of appropriate timelines and available resources
5. Write a 10,000 word thesis, appropriately referenced, which describes the research in detail
6. Successfully interact with clinical staff of different disciplines
7. Present the research at a standard which is comparable to that of a scientific meeting
8. Summarise the main principles of ethics in research and publication
9. Relate the concepts of ethics and ethics in medicine to the clinical practice
10. Recognize ethical issues and deal with the issues in a systematic manner with special considerations of the ethical aspects of AI applications
11. Recognise and solve professionalism and ethical issues in medical physics

Assessments

• Continuous Assessment (20%)
• Research (80%)

Teachers

•  MARK FOLEY 🖂
  
•  REBECCA NOLAN 🖂
  
•  Christoph Kleefeld 🖂
  
•  CAIT FAHY 🖂
  

RequiredPH5104: Medical Imaging

PH5104: Medical Imaging

Semester 1 | Credits: 10

An overview and introduction of the physical basis and clinical utility of the major imaging modalities which can be found in modern health care.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand general role of imaging in healthcare
2. Understand the theoretical basis of image formation including Fourier Transforms and reconstruction from Projections.
3. Understand the basic theory of general projection radiography. Understand physics and engineering principles of x-ray equipment.
4. Understand the basic theory of Computed Tomography Scanning. Understand physics and engineering principles of CT scanners. Understand Image reconstruction.
5. Understand the basic theory of ultrasound. Understand physics and engineering principles of ulrasound equipment.
6. Understand the basic theory of nuclear medicine. Understand physics and engineering principles of gamma ray detection, SPECT and PET scanning equipment.
7. Understand the basic theory of Magnetic resonance Imaging. Understand physics and engineering principles of MRI equipment.
8. Understand the basics of image processing

Assessments

• Continuous Assessment (100%)

Teachers

•  MARK FOLEY 🖂
  
•  REBECCA NOLAN 🖂
  
•  Christoph Kleefeld 🖂
  
•  CAIT FAHY 🖂
  

Reading List

1. "Physical principles of medical imaging." by Perry Sprawls Madison
   Publisher: Medical Physics Pub.
2. "The essential physics of medical imaging." by Jerrold T Bushberg Philadelphia
   Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
3. "Physics of radiology" by Anthony B. Wolbarst,
   Publisher: Medical Physics Pub

RequiredPH5103: Radiation Fundamentals

PH5103: Radiation Fundamentals

Semester 1 | Credits: 5

An overview and introduction of the physics of the interaction of ionising radiation with matter and the theory and practice of measuring radiation. Calibration of medical irradiators

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand basics of Atomic and Nuclear Physics. Radiation from charged particles.
2. Understand production of X-ray generation. Concept of X-Ray quality. Attenuation of Photon Beams in Matter.
3. Understand interaction of Photons with Matter. Interaction of Charged Particles with matter. Introduction to Monte Carlo techniques.
4. Understand basic concepts of Dosimetry. Including Cavity Theory.
5. Understand design and operation of Radiation Detectors. Practical aspects and operation of Ionization chambers, electrometers and other detectors.
6. Introduce to the basic principles of patient dosimetry
7. Provide an overview of image detector technology

Assessments

• Written Assessment (100%)

Teachers

•  MARK FOLEY 🖂
  
•  REBECCA NOLAN 🖂
  
•  Christoph Kleefeld 🖂
  
•  CAIT FAHY 🖂
  

Reading List

1. "Radiation dosimetry." by Frank H Attix; William C Roesch; Eugene Tochilin
   Publisher: Academic Press 1966-69
2. "The physics of radiology." by Harold Elford Johns John Robert Cunningham
   Publisher: Charles C. Thomas

RequiredAN230: Human Body Structure

AN230: Human Body Structure

Semester 1 | Credits: 5

Human Body Structure is delivered by the anatomy department to students at the first, second and masters level in university for whom anatomy is not a core degree element who require a sound basic knowledge of the structure of the human body. The content will cover topics including the following: * Organisation of human body, anatomical terminology, the principles of support and movement, the control systems of the human body, maintenance and continuity of the body and finally, biomechanics and functional anatomy of the limbs. The module will be comprised of lectures delivered in person or online as appropriate.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

1. Established a sound basic knowledge of the organization and structure of the human body including the location and anatomical relations of the major organ systems
2. Developed a basic understanding of the principles of support and movement, the control systems of the body, maintenance and continuity of the human body.
3. Understand and describe the biomechanics and functional anatomy of the human limbs and musculoskeletal system
4. Explain how specific aspects of human anatomy relate to your field of study
5. Begun to develop your ability to look up and synthesize anatomical subject matter in a self-directed manner

Assessments

• Written Assessment (100%)

Teachers

•  ALEXANDER BLACK 🖂
  
•  PETER DOCKERY 🖂
  
•  BRENDAN WILKINS 🖂
  
•  GARY DUFFY 🖂
  
•  DARA CANNON 🖂
  
•  FIDELMA GALLEN 🖂
  

Reading List

1. "Introduction to the human body" by Gerard J. Tortora, Bryan Derrickson.
   ISBN: 9781118583180.
   Publisher: New York; Wiley
2. "Human Anatomy" by Michael McKinley,Valerie O'Loughlin,Ronald Harris,Elizabeth Pennefather-O'Brien
   ISBN: 9780073525730.
   Publisher: McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math
   Chapters: 2024-08-12T00:00:00

RequiredST314: Introduction to Biostatistics

ST314: Introduction to Biostatistics

Semester 1 | Credits: 5

This course will introduce students to statistical concepts and thinking by providing a practical introduction to data analysis. The importance and practical usefulness of statistics in biomedical and clinical environments will be demonstrated through a large array of case studies. Students attending this course will be encouraged and equipped to apply simple statistical techniques to design, analyse and interpret studies in a wide range of disciplines.

Learning Outcomes

1. understand the key concept of variability;
2. understand the ideas of population, sample, parameter, statistic and probability;
3. understand simple ideas of point estimation;
4. recognise the additional benefits of calculating interval estimates for unknown parameters and be able to interpret interval estimates correctly;
5. carry out a variety of commonly used hypothesis tests
6. understand the difference between paired and independent data and be able to recognise both in practice;
7. understand the aims and desirable features of a designed experiment;
8. calculate the sample size needed for one and two sample problems.

Assessments

• Written Assessment (70%)
• Continuous Assessment (30%)

Teachers

•  COLLETTE MCLOUGHLIN 🖂
  
•  JOHN NEWELL 🖂
  
•  ANDREW SIMPKIN 🖂
  

RequiredPH5120: Radiological Imaging Technology and Safety

PH5120: Radiological Imaging Technology and Safety

Semester 2 | Credits: 5

An overview of the Science of Risk and Safety. Basic concepts of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation safety. Quality Assurance
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand concepts of radiation safety in the workplace.
2. Understand concepts of radiation shielding.
3. Understand patient dose calculation in diagnostic radiology and has ability to use dedicated software for this.
4. Understand quality assurance principles and quality control in diagnostic radiology.
5. Understand basic concepts of safety with artificial optical radiation (lasers UV).

Assessments

• Written Assessment (70%)
• Continuous Assessment (30%)

Teachers

•  MARK FOLEY 🖂
  
•  REBECCA NOLAN 🖂
  
•  Christoph Kleefeld 🖂
  
•  CAIT FAHY 🖂
  

RequiredPH5121: Introduction to Workplace Hazards in Healthcare

PH5121: Introduction to Workplace Hazards in Healthcare

Semester 2 | Credits: 5

This module aims to provide students with an introduction to skills required to anticipate, evaluate and control workplace hazards including radiation safety issues
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the importance of the role of occupational health and safety risk assessment and the relevance of exposure measurement.
2. Identify, locate and interpret health and safety legislation, guidance and standards relevant to the measurement and control of workplace hazards
3. Identify, locate and interpret primary legislation and associated best practice and guidance governing safety in the use of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation in Ireland
4. Describe techniques used to evaluate exposure risk from physical, chemical and biological hazards in the work environment
5. Interpret and communicate occupational exposure data
6. Appreciate the need for suitable workplace exposure control
7. Appreciate the need for continuous professional development and the role of professional ethics in this area
8. Understand basic concepts of Risk and Safety management and assessment in a hospital setting.

Assessments

• Written Assessment (70%)
• Continuous Assessment (30%)

Teachers

•  MARIE COGGINS 🖂
  
•  MARK FOLEY 🖂
  
•  REBECCA NOLAN 🖂
  
•  Christoph Kleefeld 🖂
  
•  CAIT FAHY 🖂
  
•  Joan Walsh 🖂
  

Reading List

1. "Monitoring for health hazards at work." by J.W. Cherrie, R.M. Howie and S. Semple.
   Publisher: Blackwell Science.
2. "Occupational Hygiene" by K. Gardiner and J.M. Harrington (Ed’s)

RequiredPH5102: Clinical Instrumentation

PH5102: Clinical Instrumentation

Semester 1 | Credits: 5

An overview of the role of physical phenomena and the way these are measured in the hospital.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the physiological processes which give rise to physical signals which can be measured.
2. Relate the basic theory of electrical measurement of biophysical signals to the design of electrophysiological instrumentation.
3. Describe the basics of bio-fluid mechanics and the measurement of flow
4. Explain the physics of the senses such as cutaneous and chemical sensors, auditory and vision sensing. Describe concepts of psychophysics.
5. Apply electrical safety within the context of electromedical equipment

Assessments

• Written Assessment (70%)
• Continuous Assessment (30%)

Teachers

•  MARK FOLEY 🖂
  
•  REBECCA NOLAN 🖂
  
•  Christoph Kleefeld 🖂
  
•  CAIT FAHY 🖂
  

Reading List

1. "Medical physics and biomedical engineering" by B. H Brown (Brian H.);
   Publisher: Institute of Physics Pub. C1999
2. "Biomedical engineering fundamentals" by Joseph D. Bronzino
   Publisher: 1937-Boca Raton : CRC/Taylor & Francis

RequiredPH5105: Physics of Radiotherapy

PH5105: Physics of Radiotherapy

Semester 2 | Credits: 10

An overview of the basics of the physics of radiotherapy.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand interaction of a single beam of radiation in a scattering medium
2. Understand basic concepts of treatment planning for combinations of photon beams.
3. Be able to operate a Treatment Planning computer, prepare a treatment plan and interpret the results.
4. Understand the interaction of particle beams with matter including electrons and heavy charged particles.
5. Understand the physics and engineering principles of radiation treatment machines with an emphasis on linear accelerators
6. Understand the concept of relative dosimetry
7. Understand the basic principles of dose calculation algorithms
8. Understand the concept of brachytherapy
9. Understand concepts of dosimetry with unsealed source isotopes.
10. Understand the basic concepts of radiobiology as it applies to radiotherapy
11. Understand the calibration of radiotherapy machines

Assessments

• Written Assessment (50%)
• Continuous Assessment (50%)

Teachers

•  MARK FOLEY 🖂
  
•  REBECCA NOLAN 🖂
  
•  Christoph Kleefeld 🖂
  
•  CAIT FAHY 🖂
  

Reading List

1. "The physics of radiation therapy," by Faiz M. Khan Baltimore, MD
   Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
2. "adiation oncology physics : a handbook for teachers and students." by Ervin D Podgorsak; International Atomic Energy Agency.
   Publisher: International Atomic Energy Agency.
3. "The physics of radiology." by Harold Elford Johns John Robert Cunningham.
   Publisher: Charles C. Thomas