This course is a core component of the MC215 Master of Medical Physics and MR233 Master of Applied Science (Health & Medical and Physics). The course is also relevant to the conduct of a successful research project within the context of the RMIT higher degrees program.

It aims to provide you with a knowledge and understanding of the physical and technological basis of operation of a range of equipment used for the various radiotherapy treatment modalities including brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy. The radiobiological basis for radiation treatment of cancer is followed by the production and control of treatment beams, dosimetry theory, and the principles of treatment planning. Treatment modalities including high energy photon and electrons, orthovoltage, high and low dose rate brachytherapy sources are discussed. Emerging technologies such as heavy ions and synchrotron radiation are introduced.

Site visits should be conducted to operating radiotherapy centres to provide context and to gain a clinical perspective for contemporary trends in practice such as the integration of diagnostic imaging and image guidance in therapy facilities.

Monte carlo radiation transport modelling will be employed to solve complex radiation interaction problems via simulation. The parallels between the stochastic nature of radiation interactions with matter and the pseudo-random computational approach to solving the macroscopic radiation transport equations are emphasized. The monte carlo code EGSnrc and its Usercodes are employed to model a range of radiotherapy and detection related problems.