ECTS - University of Pisa
Electromagnetic radiation module (Prof. Agostino Monorchio)
Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the phenomenology of the electromagnetic wave propagation as well as of the wave interaction with biological tissues;
• Use the appropriate techniques to calculate and measure the power absorbed by biological tissue exposed to electromagnetic fields, as a function of frequency and wave polarization;
• Understand the working principle of exposure systems and guidelines on radiation exposure limits.
Ionizing radiation module (Prof. Francesco d’Errico)
Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
• Understand stochastic and deterministic effects of ionizing radiations on humans.
• Learn design and operation principles of imaging equipment, including image receptors, and reconstruction techniques.
• Understand advantages and limitations of the various diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.
Ongoing assessment to monitor academic progress will be carried out in the form of continuous teacher-student interactions during the classes. Often, a group of students will be tasked with addressing a specific issue or problem.
By the end of the course:
Students will know the phenomenology of the electromagnetic wave propagation as well as of the wave interaction with biological tissues;
Students will know how to use the appropriate techniques to calculate and measure the power absorbed by biological tissue exposed to electromagnetic fields, as a function of frequency and wave polarization;
Students will know how to select the most suitable techniques for the various diagnostic and therapeutic applications of ionizing radiations.
Students will be able to select acquisition parameters perform image quality evaluations during practical sessions at the diagnostic radiology department of the university hospital.
Students will understand the principles of exposure systems and guidelines on radiation exposure limits.
Students will be able to present, in a written report the results of their laboratory activity carried out involving radiation detectors and check sources.
During the laboratory sessions, small groups of students will work with our dose monitoring devices and check sources in order to assess and document the exposure received by radiation workers. Students will have to prepare and present a written report that documents the results of the project activity.
By the end of the course:
Students will acquire an awareness of the operating parameters affecting the response and reliability of diagnostic radiology equipment.
Students will be able to manage the responsibility of leading a small team performing diagnostic radiology imaging.
Students will acquire accuracy and precision when collecting and analyzing experimental data in the laboratory.
During the diagnostic radiology imaging laboratory sessions, the accuracy and precision of the activities carried out will be evaluated
During laboratory group work, the methods of assigning responsibility, management and organization during the experiments will be evaluated
Following laboratory activities, students will be requested to submit short reports concerning the experiments carried out and the data analysis methodologies discussed.
Students should be proficient in the fundaments of modern physics, electromagnetism, and calculus.
Not applicable.
While attending this course and passing the conclusive exam are not regulatory prerequisites, proficiency in Radiation Bioengineering will greatly facilitate a full understanding of several other courses in biomedical imaging.
The course is based on highly-interactive class lectures, with visual aids such as PowerPoint™ presentations and video clips which are made available to the students.
Laboratory session take place in our didactic and research locales where students are asked to form groups, use the available didactic instrumentation, observe demonstrations of the operation of our most delicate research tools, and utilize their personal computers for data analysis.
Supporting tools and activities are regularly included, such as researching materials from recommended websites, attending topical seminars given by other teaching and research faculty members.
While the course does not have a dedicated e-learning site, a website is available from which students can download educational materials, including freely available textbooks, lecture slides, papers to revise at home.
Communications between lecturer and students, mainly occur via face-to-face meetings, email exchanges and an increasing use or social media.
The course is currently offered in Italian.
Electromagnetic radiation module (Prof. Agostino Monorchio) This module covers plane waves and characteristic parameters of wave propagation, both radiated and conducted; wave interaction with biological tissues, analytical and numerical techniques for SAR estimation, experimental dosimetry, exposure systems, ICNIRP guidelines for human exposure to non-ionizing radiations.
Ionizing radiation module (Prof. Francesco d’Errico) This module illustrates the sources and applications of ionizing radiations in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Radiological imaging techniques described in the course include projection radiography, mammography, fluoroscopy and computed tomography; nuclear emission techniques include planar imaging with gamma cameras, single photon emission tomography and positron emission tomography. Radiotherapy techniques include brachytherapy, external beam treatments with x-rays and electrons, hadron therapy and boron neutron capture therapy.
Recommended reading includes the following textbooks:
• G. Manara, A. Monorchio, P. Nepa, Appunti di Campi Elettromagnetici, SEU, Pisa, 2000.
• Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-varying Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields (up to 300 GHz). International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection, ICNIRP, Health Physics 74: 494-522 (1998)
• Bushberg, Jerrold T. Essential physics of medical imaging. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Further bibliography will be indicated.
Students are not required to attend the course in order to undergo the proficiency examination. All materials are made available to non attending students who can also request meeting with instructor and assistants in order to address topis of interest and requests for clarifications.
The final proficiency exam comprises a written and an oral test consisting of an interview between the candidate, the lecturer, and the lecturer’s collaborators. The average length of the interview is one hour and the number of professors conducting the interview is usually two. During the test, students are assessed on their understanding and critical analysis of the course contents using the appropriate terminology. The test is divided into several parts, corresponding to the various sections of the program. In order to pass the exam, it is useful although not mandatory to attend the classes and to have completed the educational laboratory activities. The test will not have a positive outcome if the candidate repeatedly demonstrates an inability to relate and link parts of the program with notions and ideas that they must combine in order to correctly respond to a question, or if the candidate does not respond sufficiently to questions regarding the most fundamental part of the course.
