3 credits
Spring 2026 Lecture Distance Learning Upper Division
An introductory course to the physical principles, equipment, processes, imaging guidance, and clinical techniques involved in the treatment of cancer patients with external radiation beams and radioactive sources. Various external radiation beam types and their energy deposition characteristics are described. Treatment planning dose calculation algorithms and point dose calculations are discussed. The use of international dosimetry protocols for radiation beam calibration are covered in detail.
Learning Outcomes1Perform dose calculations used in radiation therapy and to derive output factor (MU) to obtain these point dose calculations.
2Describe the fundamentals of computer-based treatment planning in 1, 2, and 3 dimensions.
3Understand and apply techniques used to plan treatment when using photons, electron, and proton beams.
4Describe the rationale and fundamentals of common methods and special techniques used in radiation therapy, including static accelerators, IMRT, Tomotherapy, Gamma knife, CyberKnife, Brachytherapy, TBI, SBRT, and similar.
Prerequisites
Restrictions
made by Purdue students.