The goal of the course is to provide the students with concepts and methods to understand the behaviour of: radioactive decays, ionizing radiations interactions with biological matter, biological systems structure. Such a course could be of interest for students that intend to work in the field of applied physics to medicine in Radiotherapy and Radiobiology. To reach the course goal, the theoretical description of particles accelerators, dosimetry of photon beams produced by linear accelerators for clinical use, radiotherapy treatment planning is verified with simulation tools. At the end of the course, students will be able to: - describe ionizing radiation-biological matter interactions - explain the rationale of radiotherapy treatments - describe biological effects of ionizing radiation and responses of biological tissues
Course Prerequisites
Basic information on ionizing radiation physics
Teaching Methods
The course includes lectures by means of PowerPoint presentation and visits on site of Radiotherapy Department
Assessment Methods
The final examination is an oral one. The students must answer correctly to questions about all the topics of the course, they are not asked to talk about one topic. The students have to prove: • the level of the knowledge acquired on the different topics • the correct use of the technical language The deeper the knowledge the better the evaluation. The students have to prove to be able to re-elaborate the different topics, to establish connections and comparisons.
Contents
The course will address the following topics: • Basic operating concepts of linear accelerators • Physical and dosimetric characteristics of high-energy photon beams • Dosimetric quantities and units • Radiation-matter
Course Language
English
More information
Students can be received by appointment one day a week (milena.frigerio@asst-lariana.it)
