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Department of Nuclear Science |
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Department of Nuclear Science |
Home | Degree Programs | Staff | Research & Projects | News & Events | Facilities | About
Course units offered by the Department for undergraduates reading for a
General Degree
during the third year
Special Degree
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Electives for Bio-Science students
NS 2001: Fundamentals of Nuclear Science (2C, 30L)
Dependencies: None
Syllabus: Stability of the Nucleus, Radioactive decay law, Radioactive equilibrium, Radioactive decay calculations, Types of radioactive decay, alpha decay, beta decay , gamma emission, spontaneous fission, Radiation interactions, Radiation detection, Natural radiation background, Applications of radioactivity and radiation.
Assessment: End of semester written examination
Suggested readings
Radiochemistry (C. Keller)
NS 2002: Radiation in the Environment (2C, 30L)
Dependencies: None
Syllabus: Natural sources: Cosmic radiation, Factors affecting dose; Cosmogenic radionuclides; Terrestrial radiation, Radon; Sources and movement; Production in terrestrial materials; Transfer from water and natural gases; Exposure; Dose , Extractive industries, Energy production from coal; Use of phosphate rock
Man made sources: Radioisotope production and use; Nuclear power production; Civilian nuclear reactors; Military installations; Atmospheric nuclear testing; Underground nuclear testing; Waste disposal; Accidents, Treaties: Non Proliferation Treaty, Comprehensive test ban Treaty, Radioactive contamination of the environment: radionuclide release and deposition, environmental countermeasures and remediation
Assessment: End of semester written examination
Suggested Readings
Health effects of exposure to low level ionizing radiation (W.R. Hendee and F.M. Edwards)
NS 3005: RADIOBIOLOGY (30L, 2C)
Syllabus: Principles of radiobiology: Biologic interactions and measurement of effects: Direct and Indirect action, Radiolysis of water, Linear energy Transfer and Relative Biological Effectiveness; The effects of radiation at the molecular and sub cellular levels: effect of radiation on macro molecules, radio sensitivity of the nucleus, chromosome damage; Cellular effects of radiation: giant cells, inter phase death and apoptosis, radiation cell death and reproductive capacity, Target theories and cell survival curves: radio sensitivity of the different phases of the cell cycle, Elkind recovery; Reparable Damage: division delay, position of G2 block recovery from sub lethal damage, repair mechanism, recovery from potentially lethal damage; Early effects of radiation: acute radiation syndromes whole body radiation, cellular basis of the total body syndromes, cell renewal systems, LD50, human syndromes, Local tissue damage: effects of irradiation on gonads and skin, the immune system; Late effects of radiation : life span shortening, genetic damage cytogenetic damage, doubling dose ,Foetal irradiation Prenatal and Neonatal death, congenital malformation, childhood malignancies, Other malignant Diseases ; Radiation effect Factors: Dose and rate effects, oxygen effect ,radiosensitisers and radioprotectors, hypoxic cell sensitisers.
Assessment: Semester end examination.
Suggested Readings: An Introduction to Radiobiology (A.H.W. Nias), Biological effects of Radiation (J.E.Coggle), Practical Radiation Protection and Applied Radiobiology ( S. B. Dowd, E. R. Tilson and A Allen)
NS 3006: NUCLEAR TECHNIQUES IN BIOLOGY (15L/30P, 2C)
1. General
Introduction:
Interaction of radiation with living matter. The physiochemical changes caused
by ionization on living matter, Biological effects of ionizing radiation.
2. Tracer Methodology:
Stable isotopes and radioactive isotopes: Pathway identification in metabolic
pathways, enzyme assays and enzyme reaction mechanisms, ion uptake by plants,
Tracer dilution; Tracer kinetics.
3. N-15 Determination:
Measurement of isotopic abundance.
4. Mutations:
Induced mutations; plant breeding.
5. Isotope and
Radiation Techniques in Soil Studies:
Soil water; Soil water management consideration, Nuclear methodology used
6. Nuclear Techniques
in Pesticide Research:
Use of radiotracer techniques for studying pesticide residues in stored
products; Search for safer, less persistent and more specific pesticides; Fate
of applied pesticides.
7. Insect and Pest
Control, Animal diseases and Their Vectors:
Ticks, Tsetse flies, Trypanosomes; General considerations; Babesiosis and
anaplasmiosis; Insect repellents, pesticides; SIT; Implementation against pests
of medical, agricultural and vetenary importance.
8. Animal Production
and Health:
To develop ruminant nutrition research; Isotope aided studies on livestock
productivity; Radioimmunoassay.
9. Food Irradiation:
Preservation of foods; packaging; combination processes; limitations of food
irradiation; wholesomeness of irradiated foods; food irradiation facilities.
10. Radiation Protection:
Basic consideration and units; Protection of personnel; Control of
contamination; Waste disposal.
Assessment: Semester end examination and continuous assessment
NS 3019: MEDICAL PHYSICS (3C, 45L)
Dependencies: None
Syllabus: Atomic and nuclear structure, Radioactivity, Interaction of radiation with matter, Radiation dosimetry, Radiation detectors, X-rays; Production of X-rays and their applications in radiography, Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Ultrasound imaging, Nuclear medicine; Radio nuclide production and radiopharmaceuticals; Scintillation camera; Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT); Positron emission tomography (PET), Radiotherapy; External beam therapy; Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT); Brachytherapy; Unsealed-source therapy, Treatment planning; selection of treatment technique, Determination of dose/ time/volume relationship, Radiation protection, Physics of different measuring instruments used in diagnosis; Blood pressure; Heart beat; Body temperature; ECG; EEG, Nonionizing radiation; Use of Lasers and optical fibers in medicine, Hazards of EM radiation, Radiation biology
Assessment: End of semester written examination
Suggested Readings: The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging (J.T. Bushberg, J.A. Seibert, E.M. Leidholdt and J.M. Boone), Physics in Nuclear Medicine (S.R. Cherry, J.A. Sorenson and M.E. Phelps), The Physics of Radiology (H.E John), Physics of Radiology (A.B. Wolbarst), Biomedical instrumentation and measurements (L. Cromwell, F.J. Weibell and E.A. Pfeiffer), Medical Physics (J.R. Cameron and J.G. Skofronick), Radiation protection of patients (R. Wootton),
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Electives for Physical Science students
NS 3017: Applied Nuclear Science (30L, 30P, 3C)
Dependencies : None
Syllabus: Types of Radiation, their properties, disintegration of unstable nuclei, radiation sources. Units and definitions. Basic equations of Radioactive decay. Nuclear decay schemes, Examples, Internal conversion, X-rays in radioactive decay. Properties of nuclear radiation, Interaction of radiation with matter, Interaction of alpha and beta particles, gamma rays, neutrons, attenuation coefficient, Bragg Curve, Detection and measurement of radiation, Gas filled detectors, scintillation detectors, and semiconductor detectors. Passive detection methods, Neutron detection, Radiation spectroscopy, Statistics of nuclear measurements, Nuclear electronics. Experimental study: Determination of very long and very short half lives, Identification of isotope. Absolute measurement of radioactivity, Coincidence method with applications. Radiation protection and safety, Internal and external radiation protection, Radiation shielding, Radiological monitoring systems.
Special properties of radioisotopes accounting for their widespread use. Radioisotopes as tracers: Examples of applications in hydrology, agriculture, medical, physical and chemical sciences, Application of large radiation sources: Polymer modification, sterilization of medical supplies, food preservation, and insect control, radiotherapy, Nuclear analytical techniques: Neutron activation analysis, XRF, PIXE, Isotope dilution Radiometric dating methods: Dating of U containing samples, C-14 dating, Tritium dating, TL dating, Fission track dating.
Practicals: Characteristics of the GM tube and Statistics of counting, Measurement of half lives of pure and mixed radioisotopes, Gamma spectroscopy using scintillation counter, efficiency and energy calibration. Resolution measurement. Determination of U, Th and K in a soil sample, HPGe detector, Neutron activation analysis. Absolute and relative method, Field trip to a high radiation background area, Analysis of samples collected from the high background area.
Assessment:
Theory – End of semester examination -70%
Practicals- Continuous assessment – 30%
Suggested readings:
Detection and Measurement of Radiation (G. F. Knoll),
An Introduction to Radiation Protection (Alan Martin and Samual A. Harbison)A
NS 3018: HEALTH PHYSICS AND RADIATION PROTECTION (30L, 30P, 3C)
Dependencies: None
Syllabus: General introduction, Review of Physical Principles: Atomic and Nuclear structure. Radioactivity, Interaction of radiation with matter with particular reference to calculation of ranges of alpha and beta particles and attenuation of gamma rays, Detection and measurement of radiation dosimetry: Units, Absorbed dose exposure measurement, free air chamber, air wall chamber, exposure dose relationships, absorbed dose measurements. Brag Gray principle, Kerma, source strength, specific gamma ray emission. Internally deposited radioisotopes, effective half life, Dose commitment, neutron dose, Biological effects of radiation: Basic biology, Dose response characteristics, Direct action, indirect action, Radiation effect, acute effects, late effects, Radiation Protection Guides Organizations that set standards; ICRP, ILO, IAEA, NCRP; Basic radiation safety criteria, ICRP recommendations, ALI, DAC, External Radiation Protection: Basic principles, techniques of external radiation protection, Time, Distance, Shielding: X ray shielding, Beta ray shielding, Gamma ray shielding, Exposure rate calculation with and without build up. Neutron shielding, Internal Radiation Protection: Internal radiation hazard, Principles of Control, control of source confinement, environmental control, Control of man, Protective clothing, respiratory protection, Surface contamination limits: Waste management; high intermediate and low level liquid waste air borne wastes and solid wastes, Assessment of Hazard. Evaluation of protective measures: Estimation of internally deposited radioactivity, Personal monitoring, Radiation and contamination surveys, air sampling, Continuous environmental monitoring.
Practicals: Inverse square law and shielding against gamma radiation, Beta particle shielding, Measurement of build up factor, Alpha spectroscopy and measurement of radon in air, Radon measurement using CR-39 track detector, Design of a radioisotope lab, Fields visits: AEA, General hospital or cancer hospital
Assessment:
Theory : Semester end examination - 70%
Practical: Continuous assessment – 30%
Suggested reading:
Introduction to Health Physics – Herman Cember
NS 3019: MEDICAL PHYSICS (3C, 45L)
Dependencies: None
Syllabus: Atomic and nuclear structure, Radioactivity, Interaction of radiation with matter, Radiation dosimetry, Radiation detectors, X-rays; Production of X-rays and their applications in radiography, Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Ultrasound imaging, Nuclear medicine; Radio nuclide production and radiopharmaceuticals; Scintillation camera; Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT); Positron emission tomography (PET), Radiotherapy; External beam therapy; Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT); Brachytherapy; Unsealed-source therapy, Treatment planning; selection of treatment technique, Determination of dose/ time/volume relationship, Radiation protection, Physics of different measuring instruments used in diagnosis; Blood pressure; Heart beat; Body temperature; ECG; EEG, Nonionizing radiation; Use of Lasers and optical fibers in medicine, Hazards of EM radiation, Radiation biology
Assessment: End of semester written examination
Suggested Readings: The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging (J.T. Bushberg, J.A. Seibert, E.M. Leidholdt and J.M. Boone), Physics in Nuclear Medicine (S.R. Cherry, J.A. Sorenson and M.E. Phelps), The Physics of Radiology (H.E John), Physics of Radiology (A.B. Wolbarst), Biomedical instrumentation and measurements (L. Cromwell, F.J. Weibell and E.A. Pfeiffer), Medical Physics (J.R. Cameron and J.G. Skofronick), Radiation protection of patients (R. Wootton),
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Special Degree Programme in Nuclear Medical Science
Programme objective.
The special degree programme in Nuclear Medical Science proposed by the Department of Nuclear Science is an academic programme to be conducted with the assistance of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. The main objective of the programme is to provide a knowledge base and practical skills in Nuclear Medicine which is a medical speciality that uses radioactive chemical compounds for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The areas of study include Nuclear Science, Anatomy, Pathology, Patient Communication, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine, Nuclear Instrumentation and Image Analysis, Interpretation and Evaluation. During the final year the students will have 240 hours of clinical practice in a major hospital in Colombo where they will acquire hands on experience required for a career that combines technology with health .
Practice of Nuclear Medicine in Sri Lanka which was limited to a few state hospitals in the past is now expanding. This programme will enable recipients to confirm readily into institutions where this technology is practiced.
Student Intake – 6
Eligibility:
Selection Criteria
Total mark obtained for core units of any two of the above subjects. Best two subjects will be considered in computing the total.
Course Outline
The Department recommends the students to follow the following course units during their first and the second years where applicable
NUCLEAR MEDICAL SCIENCE SPECIAL DEGREE PROGRAM
|
Year |
Course Unit |
Title |
Credit Value |
Type |
NMS |
|
3
SI |
NS 3017 NS 3005 CH 3071 CS 3001 CS 3003 NS 3015 |
Applied Nuclear Science Radiobiology Pharmaceutics I Visual Programming Computer Graphics and Image Processing Instrumentation |
3 2 3 3 3 2 |
30L 30P 30L 45L 30L 30P 30L 30P 30L |
x x x o x x |
|
SII |
NS 3018 NS 3010 NS 3011 NS 3012 NS 3013 NS 3014 |
Health Physics and Radiation Protection Human Anatomy Human Anatomy Practicals Systematic Human Pathology Nuclear Medicine I Nuclear Medicine II |
3 3 1 3 3 3 |
30L 30P 45L 30P 30L 30P 45L 45L |
x x x x x x |
|
4
SI
|
NS 4001 NS 4002 NS 4004 NS 4005 NS 4010 NS 4006 CS 4010 |
Computed Tomography Imaging and MRI Medical Ethics and professional Issues Nuclear Medicine III Clinical Education Quality Assurance Seminar and Essay Bioinformatics |
3 1 3 1 2 3 3 |
45L 15L 45L 30P 30L 90P 30L 30P |
x x x x x x o |
|
SII |
NS 4007 NS 4008 NS 4009 CS 4019 |
Research Project Clinical Practice I Clinical Practice II Computational Pattern Recognition |
8 4 4 3 |
240P 120P 120P 30L 30P |
x x x o |
COURSE DETAILS
NS 3010 Human Anatomy ( 45 L, 3C)
Dependencies: None
Assessment
End of semester theory examination
Suggested reading:
Human Anatomy , Martini FM, Timmosons MJ and McKinely MP 3rd Edition , (2000)
Anatomy in Diagnostic Imaging, Pleckenstein P and Tranum-Jenson J
Clinical oriented anatomy , Moore K L Dalley AA 4th Edition (1999)
An imaging Atlas of Human Anatomy, Wier J and Abraham PH 4th Edition . (1997)
Introduction to sectional Anatomy, MadenME
NS3011 Human Anatomy Practicals ( 30 P , 1 C )
Dependencies : NS3010 Human Anatomy
Syllabus
A: Epithelia & Connective Tissue / Bone & Cartilage (Histology), Muscles & Nerves (Histology), CVS & RS (Histology), GIT (Histology), GUT (Histology), Bone anatomy. B: Thoracic cage (Tutorial), Regional Anatomy of Thorax (Demonstration), Cross Sectional Anatomy of Thorax C: Neck, Infra temporal and Parotid, Cranial cavity + Skull (Tutorial), Cross section of brain, Upper limb (Cross sectional specimen), Lower limb (Cross sectional specimen)
Assessment
Continuous assessment
Suggested reading
Same as for NS 3010 Human Anatomy
Introductory Pathology: Introduction to health and sickness; aetiology of disease; cell adaptation and cell death: neoplasia. Major diseases of the following organ systems; Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Alimentary, Urogenital, Nervous, musculoskeletal, Endocrine, skin, Haematological.
Assessment
End of semester theory examination, 70% Practical- Continuous Assessments, 30 %
NS 3013 Nuclear Medicine I ( 45L , 3C )
Production of radio nuclides, cyclotron - produced radio nuclides, reactor produced radio nuclides Principle and examples of radio nuclide generators, radio pharmaceuticals and methods of labelling, characteristics of specific radio pharmaceuticals, Nuclear Pharmacy: Design, operation, storage, dispensing; Radioactive and biological waste disposal, Diagnostic and therapeutic uses of radio pharmaceuticals in Nuclear Medicine.
End of semester theory examination.
Suggested reading.
Text Book on Nuclear Medicine , Wilson, M. A.
Principles and Practice of Nuclear Medicine Early, P. J and Sodee D B.
Fundamentals of Nuclear Pharmacy, Saha G. B
Physics of Nuclear Medicine, Cherry S. P , Sorenson J. A and Phelps, M. E
Dependencies : NS3013 Nuclear Medicine I
Using radio nuclides to evaluate the function of the following systems: musculoskeletal, respiratory, central nervous, endocrine, haematopoietic, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, reticuloendothelial and genitourinary. The role of nuclear medicine in therapy . Specialized aspects of nuclear medicine methodology, including in vivo non-imaging studies, and applications to oncology, paediatrics. The laboratory component deals with the practical skills required for the above
Assessment:
End of semester theory examination
Suggested reading:
The Image Processing Hand Book , John C Russ, (2000)
Hand Book of Medical Imaging , Processing and Analysis, Isac N Bankman , (2000)
Dependencies: None
Assessment:
End of semester theory examination
Suggested reading:
Physics of Radiology, Wolborst AB,
Physics of Radiology , Harold Elford Johns, John Robert Cunningham,
Christensen’s Physics of Diagnostic Radiology, Thomas S Curry, James E Dowdey, Robert C Murry .
Concept of quality and its relevance
to the health care industry. Quality assurance of radiographic units to test
radiographic factors, beam alignments, resolution and radiation output and in
addition for fluoroscopic units the optical output. Quality assurance of film
processors. Fault detection and quality control in optical accessories such as
light beam diaphragms, screens and cassettes as well as film processor. Quality
assurance tests on computed tomography magnetic resonance imaging, digital
radiography and nuclear medicine equipment. Quality assurance protocols for
brachytherapy and radiotherapy, treatment uncertainties, Quality assurance in
radio pharmaceuticals
End of semester theory examination
Suggested Reading
Practical Guide to
Quality Assurance in Medical Imaging, Moores B M et al
NS 4001
Computed Tomography Imaging and
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (45L, 3C)
Dependencies: None
Principles of computed tomography: Principles of reconstruction tomography, Obtaining X-ray profiles. Collimation and detection systems, CT numbers, Reconstruction algorithms, Image display, Performance evaluation, Artifacts, Historical Development, Technical parameters and considerations affecting Scan Quality. Detailed Clinical Applications to Specific Anatomical Areas, Advanced and Interventional Clinical Applications. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); Principles of MRI, Spatial localization techniques, Relaxation times, Imaging methods. Reconstruction techniques,, Hazards., Quality assurance. Clinical Applications of MRI, Care of patient, Technical parameters and considerations. Scan techniques for specific anatomical areas. Specific clinical applications. Recent advances
Assessment:
End of semester theory examination
Suggested reading:
MRI in Practice, Westbrook C and Kaut C, 2nd edition (1998)
Whole Body Computed Tomography, Wegener O 2nd Edition, ( 1992)
Introduction to Computed Tomography , Ellis H et al (1998)
Human Cross Sectional anatomy; A Pocket Atlas of Body Sections and CT Images, Butterworth - Heinmann
Dependencies: None
Introduction to Ethics, Personal Ethics, Professional Ethics, Ethical Problem solving Techniques, Consent of Patient, Special populations: Children, older people, the patient or the practitioner with HIV, the dying patient, the patient with a disability. Charting and Documentation, Basic Concepts of Medical Law, Medical Legal Issues with reference to Medical Radiation Science, Administrative Ethics
Assessment
End of semester theory examination
Suggested reading:
Ethical and Legal issues for imaging professionals, Towsley-Cook D.M and Young T. A ( 1998)
NS4004 Nuclear Medicine III (45L , 3C)
Miscellaneous Imaging procedures; Adrenal gland imaging , Tumour Imaging, thrombus detection, limphoscintigraphy, Gastric emptying, Gastrointestinal Bleeding detection, Inflammatory Diseases and Infection Imaging, Parathyroid Imaging Therapeutic uses of Radio pharmaceuticals: Treatment of Hyperthyroidism, Treatment of Thyroid Cancer, Treatment of bone pain,
Assessment
End of semester theory examination
Suggested Reading
The students are placed in major hospitals where Nuclear Medical Imaging / CT scanning / Radiography and radiotherapy are done. The aim of this unit is to introduce students to a clinical environment. Students will engage in both multi-disciplinary pre-clinical health care learning opportunities, such as communication, ethics and health law, and patient care and develop the ability to work in a health care team
Clinical written reports.
Suggested Reading
Use of Medical Dictionary is recommended.
NS 4006 Seminar and Essay ( 90P, 3C)
Dependencies : None
Syllabus : Seminar on a current application in Medical Radiation Science.
Assessment : Report and a presentation.
Suggested Reading : Any book relevant to the topic
Dependencies : none
Syllabus
The development of introductory research skills that enable students to participate in research within their and complementary professions, and participate successfully in higher degree research courses, is one of the aims of the undergraduate course. The project is designed to allow students to research a topic of essentially their choosing. The project need related to medical radiation science practice or procedure and should be approved by the Head/ Department of Nuclear Science.
Assessment:
Written Report (dissertation) 70% , Oral Presentation 30%
Dependencies : NS4005 Clinical Education
Syllabus
This course provides the student with the opportunity to experience, apply, and develop, generic health science and profession specific knowledge, skills and attitudes in the clinical setting. The students will be placed in a hospital where nuclear medicine is practiced .
Clinical written reports and the supervisor reports
Suggested reading : None
NS 4009 Clinical Practice II (120P, 4C)
Dependencies: NS4005 Clinical education
Syllabus: Same as clinical practice I. The students will be placed in another hospital or another department of the same hospital where CT, Radiography, MRI and fluoroscopy are used..
Clinical written reports and the supervisor reports
Suggested reading : None