MSc Medical Physics in Cancer Radiation Therapy / Course details

• Critical insights into the physical principles underlying radiotherapy
• Develop a systematic understanding of modern radiotherapy equipment and approaches to delivery
• Appraise scientifically different treatment modalities including photon, electro, proton and carbon beams
• Understand the rationale underpinning current radiotherapy technologies, scheduling and delivery to limit toxicity
• Consider how the integration of molecular and imaging biomarkers and patient recorded outcome measures are facilitating progress towards personalised radiotherapy
• Gain critical insights into new technologies including proton beam therapy, the MR-Linac, SABR, IGRT and adaptive radiotherapy
• Explore the technical and operational requirements of imaging in radiotherapy
• Understand the benefits and challenges of imaging techniques used in conjunction with radiotherapy
• Gain insights into the use of imaging data from clinical trials to inform individualisation of treatment

This unit will provide an essential understanding of the physics underlying radiotherapy. You will learn about the key developments and current challenges facing the field and how research in Manchester is leading the way with innovative approaches. Gaining an understanding of the physics underpinning radiotherapy treatments will provide you with a deeper understanding of how complementary techniques such as imaging are changing the way cancer patients are benefitting from radiotherapy. Further you will gain a greater understanding of methods used to increase accuracy and precision of radiotherapy through robust evaluation.

Students' learning for the taught element of this course unit is 100% online (distance learning). There will be a combination of online materials provided that students must engage with, including podcasts, videos, lectures and interviews. Students will be able to complete diverse online tasks to monitor and evidence their achievement of the learning objectives. Students will also learn through engaging in directed and independent wider reading. Whilst the majority of this unit will be accessible in an asynchronous manner increasing the agility and flexibility of learning, there will be opportunities to interact with Unit leads and peers during synchronous teaching sessions. We will use online tools to facilitate peer-peer interaction and small group activities.

An important differentiating element of this course unit is the students' requirement to keep a reflective learning journal which will create their portfolio of knowledge enabling direct reference and integration into clinical or research practise. Students will make notes on their day-to-day experiences of key aspects learned within the unit. Through this, they will learn to be present in and conscious of their practice, which will inform their assessment and provide a practice-based context for their learning and assessment.

Students should/will be able to:

• Examine and discuss the science underpinning radiotherapy equipment
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of robust clinical evaluation and integration of imaging to improve accuracy and precision
• Appraise and critique major medical imaging methods
• Explain the interaction of radiation and human tissue and describe the necessary safety precautions

Students should/will be able to:

• Describe the principles of physics underpinning radiotherapy
• Critically appraise the challenges of radiation toxicity
• Demonstrate efficient and effective problem solving regarding treatment selection based on clinical evidence in radiotherapy physics
• Understand the limitations associated with current radiotherapy techniques and new developments in the field

Students should/will be able to:

• Plan and execute guided and independent research
• Audit current thinking in the development of radiotherapy strategies
• Retrieve relevant, supplementary information from a variety of sources (library, electronic and online)
• Report findings in a concise and structured manner

Students should/will be able to:

• Present findings in a clear and concise way using appropriate media
• Constructively deliver feedback to peers
• Demonstrate independent thinking and evidence integration to formulate hypotheses
• Manage time and show evidence of scheduling tasks in order of importance

Other = Online tests (MCQs): 30%

Feedback will be provided within the required timeframes.