DOS 411/511

Advanced Radiologic Imaging for Medical Dosimetrists
This course reviews production of Medical images with radiologic equipment as well as ultrasound, MRI, and radionuclide scans.

DOS 412/512

Simulation for Medical Dosimetrists
Simulation techniques of treatment set-ups are reviewed and advanced methods of virtual simulation are explored.

DOS 413/513

Anatomy for Medical Dosimetrists
Anatomical structure and function which affects treatment planning processes is addressed along with identification of anatomic structures on radiographs, CT, and MRI images.

DOS 414/514

Physics Fundamentals for Medical Dosimetrists

Fundamental principles of physics important to the production and use of radiation for treatment purposes is reviewed and expanded. Dose measurement utilizing a variety of methods is discussed along with the appropriate instrumentation. Calibration methods for linear accelerators are also discussed.

DOS 415/515

Computers and Networking in Radiation Oncology

This course introduces students to basic computer terminology, features of hardware, peripherals, and clinical applications in radiation oncology. Types of networking and the components involved are discussed. Specific network protocols used in healthcare, imaging, and radiation oncology will be described.

DOS 416/516

Radiation Safety

Radiation Safety measures are reviewed and updated according to federal and state mandates.

DOS 421/521

Professional Issues for Medical Dosimetrists

This course introduces the student to the professional practice of medical dosimetry, including Scope and Standards of Practice, legal and ethical issues.

DOS 422/522

Radiation Dose Calculations

This course introduces factors that affect dose delivered in radiation treatments and how these factors are accounted for in dose calculations.

DOS 423/523

Teletherapy Treatment Planning

Methods of best treating various disease sites with single or multiple field arrangements using x-rays and/or electrons are discussed.

DOS 424/524

Conformal Treatment Planning

Advanced planning techniques of conformal radiation therapy including 3-dimensional treatment planning and IMRT concepts are presented. New techniques such as IGRT, Gating, and Proton Therapy will be discussed.

DOS 425/525

Brachytherapy for Medical Dosimetrists

The use of Brachytherapy in radiation therapy is addressed. Characteristics of sources utilized for treatment as well as determination of source activity and dose delivered are included. Methods and instruments utilized to apply Brachytherapy treatment planning techniques to clinical treatment situations are discussed.

DOS 431/531

Clinical Oncology for Medical Dosimetrists

This course covers cancer in general as well as specific disease sites, their treatment and management of patient care during treatment.

DOS 441/541

Radiobiology for Medical Dosimetrists

This course reviews the effect of radiation on the human body, in the context of radiation treatments. It particularly focuses on factors affecting the therapeutic ratio.

DOS 442/542

Dosimetric Quality Assurance

The methods and importance of periodic quality assurance procedures of treatment planning, equipment, and processes are covered in this course.

DOS 443/543

Seminar in Medical Dosimetry

This course offers students an opportunity to practice answering questions and solving problems as they review course material to prepare for the national medical dosimetry certification board exam.

DOS 471/771

Dosimetry Clinical Practicum I

Students gain clinical experience in Simulation patient set-ups and imaging studies, physics and radiation safety in the clinical environment, anatomical contour segmentation, and computers and networking within the radiation oncology field. Students will begin basic calculations and treatment planning while being introduced to brachytherapy procedures.

DOS 472/772

Dosimetry Clinical Practicum II

Students continue to gain clinical experience at an affiliated clinical internship site by concentrating on more advanced treatment planning and Brachytherapy procedures while continuing to learn the various concepts of clinical oncology specific to patient treatments.

DOS 473/773

Dosimetry Clinical Practicum III
Students continue to improve their treatment planning and dosimetric skills, concentrating on advanced planning methods and quality assurance techniques. 

DOS 500

Patient Care in Medical Dosimetry

This course will prepare students to work with patients in the health care setting, specifically in Medical Dosimetry. Topics covered include basic concepts, assessment, examination and monitoring of patients, safety and handling skills, infection control, medical emergencies, nutrition, patient education, pharmacology, and legal aspects of health care.

DOS 501

Orientation to Radiation Oncology

Content is designed to provide students with an overview of the foundation in radiation oncology and the practitioner’s role in the health care delivery system. Principles, practices, and policies of the educational program, health care organizations, principles of radiation and health safety and professional responsibilities of the medical dosimetrist will be discussed and examined.

DOS 502

Diversity and Culture in Healthcare

This course will define the relationship between cultures of diverse groups and healthcare. There will be an emphasis on cross-cultural communication including awareness of own cultural influences and practices. Students will be exposed to some of the issues and/or challenges they will experience in caring for patients with diverse cultures, identities, and backgrounds.

DOS 503

Introduction to Clinical Practicum

This course will provide an orientation to the clinical operation, administrative format, and safety practices of the clinical internship site. Students will observe staff operation in the radiation oncology department, treatment delivery areas, and medical dosimetry. Students will learn about charting and documentation as well as patient interaction.

DOS 710

Introduction to Professional e-Portfolio

This is an introductory course for creating a professional e-porfolio. Students will discover the basic concepts of designing and creating an e-portfolio, terminology, and components to be included in a professional e-portfolio. Students will use course information to gather artifacts and materials throughout the program to develop their individual e-portfolio project.

DOS 711

Research Methods in Medical Dosimetry I

This course serves as an introduction of fundamental principles of research methodology and how principles are applied for conducting research in health sciences. Students will be introduced to basic terms and focus on the overall structure of the research process. The course will help students prepare to select a research topic and develop questions related to it. Library and literature resources and procedures for using them will be described in detail. Student will learn how to formulate a research hypothesis. This course will help prepare students for their own scholarly project.

DOS 721

Education in Medical Dosimetry

Students will discuss the importance of education in medical dosimetry. Different aspects of education in the profession are examined to prepare students for the various roles as an educator, with various positions as a medical dosimetrist.

DOS 731

Research Methods in Medical Dosimetry II

This course follows in sequence the Scholarship I course and expands on research terminology. This course discusses ethical concerns and legal responsibilities associated with conducting research. Sampling, measuring instruments, and statistics will be discussed in detail. Types of research will be described in detail while expanding on principles from the scholarship I course. Students will learn the process of writing and evaluating the final research report.

DOS 741

Protocols and Studies in Radiation Oncology

This course provides a broad overview of cancer clinical trials. Students will discuss improving the approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Advantages and disadvantages of clinical trials for patients, the general population, and health care providers are discussed. The role of the medical dosimetrist involved in clinical trials is described in depth.

DOS 750

Professional e-Portfolio

This is an advanced course for the development of a professional e-portfolio. Students will use skills from the introductory course, artifacts, and reflective learning examples throughout the program to expand their individual e-portfolio projects. This course will focus on additional components such as electronic multimedia files, specific course assessment, accomplishments and achievements, and various other enhancements of the e-portfolios.

DOS 751

Research Methods in Medical Dosimetry III

This course follows in sequence the Scholarship II course and serves as the culminating research course. Students will utilize peer review and editing, and various elements of individualized instruction while preparing their final research report. Students will be prepared to have their final reports in a publishable format to enter the AAMD national student writing competition.

DOS 752

Operational Issues in Radiation Oncology

The course focuses on various radiation oncology operational issues. The strategic planning process of organizations will be presented. Human Resource concepts and regulations impacting the medical dosimetrist will be examined. Accreditation agencies and the medical dosimetrist’s role in the process will be discussed. Medical insurance coding, billing, and reimbursement issues pertinent to the radiation oncology department will be presented. Development and management of a department budget will be discussed. Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) project development and evaluation and assessment techniques will be emphasized.

DOS 781

Seminar for CMD I

This level one seminar course is designed for current certified medical dosimetrists in the master’s degree completion program. The course offers students the opportunity to review the level one professional coursework and to practice mock questions and answers to prepare for the comprehensive exam. This course is taken synchronously with the Fieldwork I to correlate the clinical experience and case studies with the didactic comprehensive review. It is required to review and test competence in the basic professional coursework of the degree program. Professional courses reviewed include Advanced Imaging, Simulation for Medical Dosimetrists, Anatomy for Medical Dosimetrists, Physics Fundamentals, and Computers & Networking in Radiation Oncology.

DOS 782

Seminar for CMD II

This level two seminar course is designed for current certified medical dosimetrists in the master’s degree completion program. The course offers students the opportunity to review the level two professional coursework and to practice mock questions and answers to prepare for the comprehensive exam. This course is taken synchronously with the Fieldwork II to correlate the clinical experience and case studies with the didactic comprehensive review. It is required to review and test competence in the basic professional coursework of the degree program.

Professional courses reviewed include Radiation Safety, Professional Issues, Dose Calculations, Teletherapy Treatment Planning, and Conformal Treatment Planning.

DOS 783

Seminar for CMD III
This level three seminar course is designed for current certified medical dosimetrists in the master’s degree completion program. The course offers students the opportunity to review the level three professional coursework and to practice mock questions and answers to prepare for the comprehensive exam. This course is taken synchronously with the Fieldwork III to correlate the clinical experience and case studies with the didactic comprehensive review. It is required to review and test competence in the basic professional coursework of the degree program.

Professional courses reviewed include Brachytherapy, Clinical Oncology, Radiobiology, and Quality Assurance.

DOS 791

Fieldwork I

This level one fieldwork experience is an opportunity to demonstrate the practice of medical dosimetry in the clinical environment at a basic level. The course provides an opportunity to integrate the didactic curriculum learned for the successful completion of the MDCB exam. The focus of case studies will include imaging, patient treatment setups, anatomical contour segmentation, computers and networking, physics, and radiation safety. Supervision is provided by medical physicist and radiation oncologists.

DOS 792

Fieldwork II

This level two fieldwork experience is an opportunity to demonstrate the practice of medical dosimetry in the clinical environment at an intermediate level. The course provides an opportunity to integrate the didactic curriculum learned for the successful completion of the MDCB exam. The focus of case studies will include professional issues, radiation dose calculations, treatment planning, Brachytherapy, and clinical oncology. Supervision is provided by medical physicist and radiation oncologists

DOS 793

Fieldwork III

This level three fieldwork experience is an opportunity to demonstrate the practice of medical dosimetry in the clinical environment at an advanced level. The course provides an opportunity to integrate the didactic curriculum learned for the successful completion of the MDCB exam. The focus of case studies will include radiobiological principles, dosimetric and departmental quality assurance processes, advanced treatment planning techniques, and seminar work. Supervision is provided by medical physicist and radiation oncologists.