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Presentation
Presentation
This Course Unit introduces the student to nuclear medicine, focusing on using Physics to understand the concepts and models associated with radiation, atom structure, and its nucleus. The student learns about other modes of radioactive decay and their mathematical formulations, thus being able to distinguish their main differences and occurrence regimes. Likewise, the student can model the activity of radionuclides or their mixtures. The Course Unit subsequently evolves to present the main techniques for the production of radionuclides, as well as radiopharmaceuticals, culminating in the contextualization of its use in nuclear medicine and clinical application. Regarding the use of radiation in clinical instrumentation, the student diversifies his skills based on the knowledge of techniques and equipment that use radiation in computational tomography, which allows him to acquire skills in terms of methods with SPECT and PET.
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Class from course
Class from course
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Degree | Semesters | ECTS
Degree | Semesters | ECTS
Bachelor | Semestral | 5
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Year | Nature | Language
Year | Nature | Language
3 | Mandatory | Português
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Code
Code
ULHT1706-14629
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Prerequisites and corequisites
Prerequisites and corequisites
Not applicable
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Professional Internship
Professional Internship
Não
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Syllabus
Syllabus
- Nuclear Medicine
- Atomic and Nuclear Physics
- Modes of Radioactive Decay
- Decay of Radioactivity
- Radionuclide and Radiopharmaceutical Production
- Interaction of Radiation with Matter
- Tracer Kinetic Modeling
- Dosimetry
- Radiation Safety and Detectors
- Image Quality in Nuclear Medicine
- Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography
- Positron Emission Tomography
- Digital Image Processing in Nuclear Medicine
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Objectives
Objectives
This Course Unit aims to understand the basic physical principles involved in the use of radiation in nuclear medicine and clinical practice, as well as contact with the main hospital or research equipment associated with radiation.
Thus, the student will be able to:
• understand and interpret the physical phenomena associated with radiation, from the atom/nucleus perspective to its impact on the interaction with surrounding matter;
• to develop quantitative and predictive mathematical models of radionuclide activity or mixtures thereof for nuclear medicine or clinical practice, taking into account aspects such as the type of decay verified, activity, and desired dosage at a given time;
• identify and apply best practices in safety and protection against radiation and handling of radioactive material; and
• understand and implement the best methodologies in computational tomography, focusing on the quality and quantification of the digital image.
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Teaching methodologies and assessment
Teaching methodologies and assessment
In theoretical classes, the contents of the program are presented using presentations and simulations, stimulating discussion between students and teachers. In theoretical-practical classes, students solve exercises with a progressive transition of complexity.
Assessment can be continuous or non-continuous.
Continuous assessment comprises a written test (theoretical component, TC) and delivery of mini-questionnaires solved during the semester (theoretical-practical component, TPC). TC consists of 2 frequencies or one exam. TCP consists of delivering 4 mini-questionnaires solved via Moodle. The final grade for the Curricular Unit results from the calculation: Final Grade = 60% TC + 40% TCP, where TC and TCP are, respectively, the averages of the tests given in the scope of each component.
Alternatively, at the beginning of the semester, the student can select the non-continuous assessment mode. Thus, the student is submitted to an exam with a minimum grade of 9.5 for approval.
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References
References
- Physics in Nuclear Medicine. Simon R. Cherry, James A. Sorenson, Michael E. Phelps. Saunders Editors. 4th edition (2011)
- Radiation Physics for Medical Physicists (Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering). Ervin B. Podgorsak. Springer. 2nd edition (2010)
- Introduction to Health Physics. Herman Cember, Thomas E. Johnson. McGraw Hill Medical. 4th edition (2009)
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Office Hours
Office Hours
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Mobility
Mobility
Yes