Class Radiation in Biomedicine

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.

1. Nuclear Medicine
2. Atomic and Nuclear Physics
3. Modes of Radioactive Decay
4. Decay of Radioactivity
5. Radionuclide and Radiopharmaceutical Production
6. Interaction of Radiation with Matter
7. Tracer Kinetic Modeling
8. Dosimetry
9. Radiation Safety and Detectors
10. Image Quality in Nuclear Medicine
11. Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography
12. Positron Emission Tomography
13. Digital Image Processing in Nuclear Medicine
     

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.
 

• 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)