Course Descriptions
R-T 310 Pathophysiology
3 semester credits
This course focuses on the
pathophysiologic disorders that affect healthy systems across the life
span. Theories of disease causation are introduced. Areas of emphasis
include cellular and systemic responses, clinical manifestations and the
response of tissue to radiation damage. Acquired, immune, infectious,
carcinogenic and genetic alterations in body systems are included.
Prerequisites: BIO 312, 313 and acceptance
into Radiation Therapy. The course is open to a limited number of
students not in Radiation Therapy for whom instructor approval is
required in addition to the prerequisites.
R-T 325 Radiation Therapy Readings, Writing and Research
2 semester credits
This course introduces
Radiation Therapy students to the language of Radiation Therapy and
professional issues in the field by the use of selected readings. The
Radiation Therapy Writing in the Major program will be introduced along
with types of writing practiced in the field. Students will learn basic
research techniques and begin to apply them to their professional
education. This course is designed to complement R-T 310, which will be
taken concurrently.
Prerequisites:
Acceptance into the Radiation Therapy program, ENG 110, MTH 145 (or
concurrent).
R-T 350 Patient Care Issues
3 semester credits
This course, taught in modules,
will prepare students to work directly with patients in a health care
setting. It will cover such topics as: basic concepts of patient care,
assessment, examination and monitoring of patients, body mechanics and
patient handling skills, infection control, management of medical
emergencies and CPR, nutritional counseling, patient education,
pharmacology, and legal aspects of health care.
Prerequisites:
BIO 312 & 313, R-T 310, and H-P 250 or consent of the instructor. While
designed for radiation therapy majors, other allied health students may
benefit from the course.
R-T 390 Medical Imaging
3 semester credits
This course will serve as a
"lab" for the Radiation Physics Course (PHY 386) taught in the previous
semester. After learning about the production and measurement of x-rays
for diagnosis and treatment, students will focus on imaging aspects.
Study of the equipment used to produce x-rays will lead to discussion of
machine settings and technical factors involved in producing good
quality radiographs. Students will learn about film types,
characteristics and development as well as other related equipment. Lab
time will be provided in which students will learn by discovery and
develop competency through practice.
Prerequisite:
Physics 386 and admission in the radiation therapy major.
R-T 401 Introduction to Radiation Therapy
3 semester credits
This course, the first in the
clinical internship, will provide the student with an overview of the
profession of radiation therapy and its role in health care delivery and
cancer management. Students will be oriented to the academic and
administrative format of the internship site as well as safety practices
of the hospital and radiation therapy department. The radiation therapy
process will be identified and discussed along with critical steps in
treatment procedures. Students will be prepared for working with
patients by learning about charting and documentation as well as
appropriate patient/therapist interactions.
Prerequisite:
acceptance into the major, assignment to a clinical internship site, R-T
310 and R-T 350.
R-T 411 Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy
4 credits
This course, taught during the
clinical internship year, addresses the concepts of cancer treatment,
focusing primarily on radiation therapy. Methods of improving
therapeutic advantage are investigated. Students learn safe and
effective use of equipment and accessories along with the rationale for
their clinical application. Technical aspects of treatment simulation
and delivery are developed. Treatment related side effects and their
management and special patient situations are addressed.
Prerequisite:
Acceptance into the major, placement in clinical internship, R-T 310,
R-T 350, R-T 401, and R-T 471.
R-T 421 Cross Sectional, Topographic and Radiographic Anatomy
3 semester credits
This course, taught during the
clinical internship, revisits anatomy specifically from an imaging
perspective. Students will learn to identify structures and pathology on
x-rays, CT and MRI scans and locate landmarks on diagnostic and
simulation films.
Prerequisites:
Acceptance into the major, assignment to clinical internship, BIO 313,
R-T 390 and R-T 401.
R-T 431 Radiation Therapy Physics
3 semester credits
This course, taught during the
clinical internship, expands the student’s understanding of physics
related to radiation therapy. Topics include the components and
operation of linear accelerators and other treatment machines,
brachytherapy, specification and modification of beam quality and
characteristics, measurement of absorbed dose, treatment machine
calibration, beam geometry and treatment with particles.
Prerequisites:
Acceptance into the major, assignment to a clinical internship site, PHY
386 and R-T 401.
R-T 412 Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy II
4 semester credits
This course, taught during the
clinical internship, advances the student’s knowledge of neoplastic
disease management. Cancers and some benign conditions of various body
sites are discussed in relation to natural history, treatment and
prognosis. Technical aspects related to radiation planning and delivery
are closely investigated as well as pertinent anatomical considerations,
combination therapy, treatment results and the therapist’s role in
disease management.
Prerequisites:
Acceptance into the major, assignment to clinical internship, R-T 411
and R-T 472.
R-T 435 Dosimetry and Treatment Planning
3 semester credits
This course, taught during the
clinical internship, focuses on the characteristics, measurement and
manipulation of radiation dose delivery in treatment. This involves
advanced concepts of methods of altering dose to optimize the
effectiveness of the radiation treatment. Treatment planning for a
variety of tumor sites and situations is discussed.
Prerequisites:
Acceptance into the major, assignment to clinical internship, R-T 411,
R-T 421, and R-T 431.
R-T 437 Quality Management in Radiation Therapy
2 semester credits
This course, taught during the clinical internship,
focuses on the purpose and techniques of quality management in a
radiation oncology program. The importance of documentation, consistent
application of specified protocols and assessment of outcomes are
addressed. The responsibilities of the radiation therapist within the
radiation oncology team for quality functions are highlighted.
Prerequisites:
Acceptance into the major, assignment to clinical internship, R-T 411
and R-T 431.
R-T 481 Seminar in Radiation Therapy
3 semester credits
This course, offered during the
clinical internship, is a capstone course in which students present
patient case information, discuss application of radiation science
theory, review and critique journal articles and conduct research.
Research methods and statistical analysis will be reviewed and applied.
Students will also participate in comprehensive review of program
curriculum to prepare them for certification testing and clinical
practice in the field.
Prerequisites:
Acceptance into the major, assignment to clinical internship, R-T 412,
R-T 435 and R-T 437.
R-T 471 Clinical Practicum I
5 semester credits
This course, offered the first
summer session of the clinical internship, will orient students to the
clinical operation of the internship site. Students will observe staff
operations in the radiation therapy clinic, simulation, treatment
planning, and treatment delivery areas.
Prerequisites:
Acceptance into the major, assignment to a clinical internship site, R-T
310, R-T 350 and R-T 390.
R-T 472 Clinical Practicum II
6 semester credits
This course, offered fall
semester of the clinical internship, will progress students’ clinical
skills from observation in simulation, treatment planning and treatment
delivery to the point of participation and development of basic
competencies.
Prerequisites:
Acceptance into the major, assignment to a clinical internship site, R-T
401 and R-T 471.
R-T 473 Clinical Practicum III
6 semester credits
This course, offered Spring
semester of the clinical internship, will offer students the opportunity
to continue the process of developing competence and confidence in the
areas of simulation, treatment planning and treatment delivery. They
will demonstrate competence in intermediate and some advanced
procedures. Students will also be given opportunities to work with
specialty areas, such as brachytherapy and cross-sectional imaging.
Prerequisites:
Acceptance into the major, assignment to a clinical internship site, R-T
411, R-T 421, R-T 431 and R-T 472.
R-T 474 Clinical Practicum IV
5 semester credits
This course, offered during the
final summer session of the clinical internship, will complete the
students’ clinical education experience. By the end of this course,
students will have developed proficiency and confidence in the areas of
simulation, treatment planning and treatment delivery. They will
complete all required competencies. Opportunities to broaden the
experience and work with different equipment, techniques and advanced
procedures will be offered.
Prerequisites:
Acceptance into the major, assignment to a clinical internship site, R-T
412, R-T 435, R-T 437 and R-T 473.
