RA 120 - Radiotherapy Technology II

Credit Hours: 3

Designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of the following: medical terminology; radiographic imaging theory and methods; nutrition; emphasis on radiation therapy treatment planning; and dose calculations. Topics include quality assurance, treatment charts, alignment devices, and patient contours.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

describe the discovery and history of x-ray;
identify the components of an x-ray machine, cassette and intensifying screen and computed tomography (CT);
list and describe the treatment modalities used in cancer management;
identify the components of tumor classification and staging system;
define such terms as; tissue tolerance, lethal dose, therapeutic ratio, fractionation, radiosensitivity, palliation, and isocenter;
state the content and purpose of the radiotherapy prescription;
distinguish between the three sources of radiation used for external beam radiation;
identify the components of a linear accelerator and their function; and
perform basic radiation therapy calculations.

Prerequisites: RA 100
Corequisites: RA 102
S (C)

Three (3) 50-minute classes per week for 15 weeks.