Radiation Technology/Medical Dosimetry (RTMD)

RTMD 301. Treatment Planning I. 2 Units.

Studies in-depth the planning of isodose distributions and dose calculations within different target volumes. Topics covered include IMRT, conformal therapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery.

RTMD 302. Treatment Planning II. 2 Units.

Develops the student's ability to construct treatment plans using 3D/IMRT planning techniques. Integrates theory with practice. Students required to complete a number of plans that utilize all the major treatment techniques, based on anatomical tumor sites. Lecture includes discussion and plans related to specific tumors, after which students are expected to produce similar plans, compile a notebook of plans, and present plans to the class as a midterm and final examination.

RTMD 305. Special Topics. 2 Units.

Studies cutting-edge techniques in depth as they apply to therapy—including radiation oncology and the diagnostic modalities that support them. Topics include IMRT, TBI, USGI, IORT, MLC, dynamic wedging, virtual simulation (CT simulation), stereotactic radiosurgery, HDR, proton therapy, MRI, US, and NRM. Students make a weekly presentation from a peer-reviewed journal or discuss a research paper on one of the studied topics. Class paper on a specific area of study due at the end of the quarter.

RTMD 307. Principles of Brachytherapy. 2 Units.

Includes a two-week rotation at Long Beach Memorial Hospital to observe brachytherapy. Principles of radiation protection as they relate to brachytherapy.

RTMD 309. Radiation Therapy Core—Concept Review. 1 Unit.

Conducted in the seminar/review format. Students research and present information on weekly schedule of core topics and concepts relating to radiation therapy techniques, oncology, radiobiology, and patient care. Students complete assigned readings and answer general review questions.

RTMD 310. Applied Mathematics for Medical Dosimetry. 1 Unit.

A review of the higher mathematics skills required for dosimetric calculations. Course conducted in a tutorial format in which students meet regularly with faculty to review problems from an assigned mathematics workbook.

RTMD 314. Quality Assurance, with Laboratory. 2 Units.

General overview of quality-assurance management within a radiation oncology department, with specific emphasis on continuous quality assurance (CQI). Examines the theoretical and practical application of quality-assurance techniques as they relate to treatment planning and other dosimetry functions.

RTMD 355. Physical Principles of Radiation Therapy I. 3 Units.

Nature and description of the structure of matter and energy. Radioactive decay schemes and interaction of photons and gamma radiation. Instrumentation involved in measurement of ionizing radiation, beam quality, and dose. Laboratory.
Cross-listing: RTTH 355.

RTMD 356. Physical Principles of Radiation Therapy II. 3 Units.

Discusses the following areas: calibration techniques of photon, particulate, and electron beams; percentage depth dose, tissue-air ratios, treatment planning, scatter functions, field flatness, and symmetry; field shaping, arc therapy, and tissue inhomogeneities; clinical dosimetric considerations. Includes laboratory.
Cross-listing: RTTH 356.

RTMD 960. Practicum. 11 Units.

Applies theoretical knowledge of dosimetry in practical ways. Includes external beam treatment planning, monitor unit calculations, brachytherapy, and quality assurance procedures as they pertain to dosimetry practice. Integrates students into the dosimetry and physics team, with opportunities to work with various kinds of treatments and treatment beams. Per week: thirty-six hours. S. mathematics/physics track.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in B.

RTMD 961. Practicum. 8 Units.

Practical application of the theoretical knowledge of dosimetry. Includes external beam treatment planning, monitor unit calculations, brachytherapy, and quality assurance procedures as they pertain to dosimetry practice. Students integrated into the dosimetry and physics team, with opportunity to work with various kinds of treatments and treatment beams. Per week: twenty-eight hours.

RTMD 962. Practicum. 10 Units.

Practical application of the theoretical knowledge of dosimetry. Includes external beam treatment planning, monitor unit calculations, brachytherapy, and quality assurance procedures as they pertain to dosimetry practice. Students integrated into the dosimetry and physics team, with opportunity to work with various kinds of treatments and treatment beams. Per week: thirty-four hours.

RTMD 963. Practicum. 9 Units.

Practical application of the theoretical knowledge of dosimetry. Includes external beam treatment planning, monitor unit calculations, brachytherapy, and quality assurance procedures as they pertain to dosimetry practice. Students integrated into the dosimetry and physics team, with opportunity to work with various kinds of treatments and treatment beams. Per week: thirty-one hours.

RTMD 964. Practicum. 11 Units.

Applies theoretical knowledge of dosimetry in practical ways. Includes external beam treatment planning, monitor unit calculations, brachytherapy, and quality assurance procedures as they pertain to dosimetry practice. Integrates students into the dosimetry and physics team, with opportunities to work with various kinds of treatments and treatment beams. Per week: thirty-six hours. S. mathematics/physics track.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in B.

RTMD 965. Practicum. 11 Units.

Applies theoretical knowledge of dosimetry in practical ways. Includes external beam treatment planning, monitor unit calculations, brachytherapy, and quality assurance procedures as they pertain to dosimetry practice. Integrates students into the dosimetry and physics team, with opportunities to work with various kinds of treatments and treatment beams. Per week: thirty-six hours. S. mathematics/physics track.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in B.

RTMD 970. Practicum. 11 Units.

Applies theoretical knowledge of dosimetry in practical ways. Includes external beam treatment planning, monitor unit calculations, brachytherapy, and quality assurance procedures as they pertain to dosimetry practice. Integrates students into the dosimetry and physics team, with opportunities to work with various kinds of treatments and treatment beams. Per week: thirty-six hours.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in radiation therapy track.

RTMD 971. Practicum. 10 Units.

Practical application of the theoretical knowledge of dosimetry. Includes external beam treatment planning, monitor unit calculations, brachytherapy, and quality assurance procedures as they pertain to dosimetry practice. Students integrated into the dosimetry and physics team, with opportunity to work with various kinds of treatments and treatment beams. Per week: thirty-three hours.

RTMD 972. Practicum. 9 Units.

Practical application of the theoretical knowledge of dosimetry. Includes external beam treatment planning, monitor unit calculations, brachytherapy, and quality assurance procedures as they pertain to dosimetry practice. Students integrated into the dosimetry and physics team, with opportunity to work with various kinds of treatments and treatment beams. Per week: thirty hours.

RTMD 973. Practicum. 10 Units.

Practical application of the theoretical knowledge of dosimetry. Includes external beam treatment planning, monitor unit calculations, brachytherapy, and quality assurance procedures as they pertain to dosimetry practice. Students integrated into the dosimetry and physics team, with opportunity to work with various kinds of treatments and treatment beams. Per week: thirty-four hours.

RTMD 974. Practicum. 11 Units.

Applies theoretical knowledge of dosimetry in practical ways. Includes external beam treatment planning, monitor unit calculations, brachytherapy, and quality assurance procedures as they pertain to dosimetry practice. Integrates students into the dosimetry and physics team, with opportunities to work with various kinds of treatments and treatment beams. Per week: thirty-six hours.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in radiation therapy track.

RTMD 975. Practicum. 11 Units.

Applies theoretical knowledge of dosimetry in practical ways. Includes external beam treatment planning, monitor unit calculations, brachytherapy, and quality assurance procedures as they pertain to dosimetry practice. Integrates students into the dosimetry and physics team, with opportunities to work with various kinds of treatments and treatment beams. Per week: thirty-six hours.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in radiation therapy track.