School: Health Sciences

The Radiation Therapy major focuses on using ionizing radiation to treat cancer and other diseases. Students develop skills in radiation oncology, treatment planning, radiation safety, and patient care. Graduates are prepared to work in hospitals, cancer treatment centers, and radiation therapy departments.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the basics of radiation therapy and radiation oncology.
• Develop skills in treatment planning, radiation delivery, and patient care.
• Learn techniques for radiation safety assurance and quality assurance.
• Explore the principles of oncology, radiobiology, and medical physics.
• Analyze and interpret radiation therapy data and treatment results.
• Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and clinical skills for effective radiation therapy practice.

Main Curriculum:

1. Introduction to Radiation Therapy
   • Overview of key concepts, principles, and practices in radiation therapy.
   • Basics of radiation oncology, treatment planning, and radiation safety.
2. Radiation Oncology
   • Principles of radiation oncology, including cancer biology, radiation therapy modalities, and clinical applications.
   • Techniques for managing and delivering radiation therapy to cancer patients.
3. Treatment Planning
   • Principles of treatment planning, including dose measurement, beam configuration, and optimization techniques.
   • Techniques for developing and implementing radiation therapy plans.
4. Radiation Delivery
   • Principles of radiation delivery, including linear accelerators, brachytherapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery.
   • Techniques for operating radiation therapy equipment and delivering precise radiation doses.
5. Radiation Safety and Quality Assurance
   • Principles of radiation safety, including radiation protection, dose measurement, and regulatory compliance.
   • Techniques for ensuring quality assurance and safety in radiation therapy practice.
6. Oncology and Radiobiology
   • Principles of oncology and radiobiology, including cancer cell biology, radiation effects, and tumor response.
   • Techniques for understanding and applying radiobiological principles in radiation therapy.
7. Medical Physics in Radiation Therapy
   • Principles of medical physics in radiation therapy, including radiation interactions, dose calculations, and equipment calibration.
   • Techniques for applying medical physics concepts in radiation therapy planning and delivery.
8. Patient Care in Radiation Therapy
   • Principles of patient care in radiation therapy, including patient assessment, supportive care, and symptom management.
   • Techniques for providing compassionate and effective care for radiation therapy patients.
9. Clinical Training
   • Hands-on experiences in radiation therapy settings, including clinical rotations, internships, and practical training at hospitals or cancer treatment centers.
   • Application of acquired skills in practical radiation therapy scenarios.
10. Capstone Project in Radiation Therapy
    • A comprehensive project applying skills in treatment planning, radiation delivery, or radiation safety.
    • Presentation of a polished project, research paper, or presentation in radiation therapy.

Evaluation Methods:

• Radiation oncology reports, treatment planning projects, radiation delivery studies, radiation safety plans, oncology and radiobiology analyses, medical physics projects, patient care plans, clinical training reports, capstone projects, group projects, presentations.

Recommended Textbooks:

• "Radiation Therapy" by various authors.
• "Radiation Oncology" by various authors.
• "Treatment Planning" by various authors.
• "Radiation Delivery" by various authors.
• "Radiation Safety and Quality Assurance" by various authors.
• "Oncology and Radiobiology" by various authors.
• "Medical Physics in Radiation Therapy" by various authors.
• "Patient Care in Radiation Therapy" by various authors.

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of physics, biology, and medical terminology. Suitable for students interested in radiation oncology, cancer therapy, and health services.

Duration of Program:

Typically 4 years to earn a bachelor's degree, including coursework, clinical training, and internships. Additional advanced degrees or certifications may be required for specialized roles.

Certification:

Graduates may earn a degree in radiation therapy and pursue further education or professional certifications, such as a master's degree in radiation therapy or certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in radiation therapy.

Target Audience:

Aspiring radiation therapists, medical physicists, dosimetrists, and individuals seeking careers in hospitals, cancer treatment centers, and radiation therapy departments. This major equips students with clinical, technical, and patient care skills necessary to excel in radiation therapy, supporting careers in various cancer treatment and healthcare fields.

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