NUM-2650 Nuclear Medicine Physics and Instrumentation

Credits 3
This course is an in-depth study of the phenomenon of radioactive decay and the emission and detection of gamma radiation. The student will learn to calculate radioactive decay and apply principles of statistics to data obtained from devices that measure radiation and radioactivity. The components and operating principles of imaging and non-imaging equipment used in nuclear medicine will be explored.
Prerequisite(s): NUM-1650 with grade of C or higher
Course Outcomes

Predict the ways in which an unstable nucleus reaches stability (radioactive decay).
Interrelate the relationship among physical half-life, biological half-life, and effective half-life.
Apply principles of statistics to data obtained from nuclear medicine imaging and non-imaging equipment.
Calculate radioactive decay.
Associate the principles of operation to methods of operation of imaging and non-imaging equipment used in the nuclear medicine department, hot lab, and radio-pharmacy, including SPECT.
Differentiate image acquisition, formation, display, and storage modes used in nuclear medicine.
Compare/contrast quality control procedures of imaging and non-imaging equipment.
Evaluate quantitative and qualitative QC results for acceptable and unacceptable values/artifacts.
Propose appropriate action in light of abnormal/unacceptable QC results.