RAD 2601 - Radiation Biology and Protection
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 43625,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Lisa Galich
Email: lgalich@ysu.edu
Course Description
2601. This course provides students with an overview of the principles of radiation protection, including the responsibilities of the radiographer for patients, personnel, and the public. Radiation health and safety requirements of federal and state regulatory agencies, accreditation agencies and health care organizations are incorporated. An overview of the principles of the interaction of radiation with living systems is provided. Radiation effects on molecules, cells, tissues, and the body are presented. Factors affecting biological response are presented, including acute and chronic effects of radiation. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Radiation Safety and Radiobiology In Medical Imaging, 10th Edition | Mary Alice Statkiewicz Sherer, AS, RT(R), FASRT, Paula J. Visconti, PhD, DABR, E. Russell Ritenour, PhD, DABR, FAAPM, FACR and Kelli Welch Haynes, EdD, RT(R), FASRT, FAEIRS | 9780443123535 |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Day | Date | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue | 8/25 | Syllabus Chapter 1: Introduction to Radiation Protection |
Introduction to Radiation Protection | |
| Thu | 8/27 | Chapter 2: Radiation; Types, Sources, and Doses | Radiation Types and Sources | |
| Tue | 9/1 | Chapter 3: X-Ray Interactions with Matter Clover Course: X-Ray Production & Safety Module: X-Ray Interactions with Matter Lessons: Attenuation, Coherent Scatter, Photoelectric Scatter, and Compton Scatter |
X-Ray Interactions with Matter | QUIZ 1: Chapters 1 and 2 |
| Thu | 9/3 | Chapter 4: Radiation Quantities and Units Clover Course: X-Ray Production & Safety Module: Radiation Units of Measurement Lessons: Radiation Measurements Overview, Air Kerma & Exposure, and Absorbed Dose |
Radiation Units I | |
| Tue | 9/8 | Chapter 4: Radiation Quantities and Units Appendix A Clover Course: X-Ray Production & Safety Module: Radiation Units of Measurement Lessons: Equivalent Dose and Effective Dose |
Radiation Units II and Dose Calculations | ASSIGN: Assignment 1 Radiation Measurements and Distance Safety Worksheet |
| Thu | 9/10 | Chapter 5: Overview of Cell Biology | Cell Biology | QUIZ 2: Chapters 3 and 4 |
| Tue | 9/15 | Chapter 6: Molecular and Cellular Radiation Biology Clover Course: X-Ray Production & Safety Module: Radiation Biology Lesson: Direct vs Indirect Effect |
Molecular Effects of Radiation | DUE: Assignment 1 |
| Thu | 9/17 | Chapter 6: Molecular and Cellular Radiation Biology Clover Course: X-Ray Production & Safety Module: Radiosensitivity Lessons: Radiosensitivity Introduction, Radiosensitivity (Radiation Type), and Radiosensitivity (Oxygenation) |
Factors Affecting Radiosensitivity | |
| Tue | 9/22 | Chapters 5-6 Clover Course: X-Ray Production & Safety Module: Radiosensitivity Lesson: Radiosensitivity (Tissue Type) |
Cell and Tissue Radiosensitivity | QUIZ 3: Chapters 5 and 6 |
| Thu | 9/24 | Exam 1: Chapters 1-6 | ||
| Tue | 9/29 | Chapter 7: Early Effects of Radiation Exposure Clover Course: X-Ray Production & Safety Module: Radiation Biology Lessons: Stochastic vs Deterministic and Early & Late Effects of Radiation Exposure |
Early Radiation Effects | |
| Thu | 10/1 | Chapter 7: Early Effects of Radiation Exposure Clover Course: X-Ray Production & Safety Module: Radiation Biology Lesson: Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) |
Acute Radiation Syndrome | |
| Tue | 10/6 | Chapter 8: Late Effects of Radiation Exposure Clover Course: X-Ray Production & Safety Module: Radiation Biology Lesson: Carcinogenesis |
Late Radiation Effects and Carcinogenesis | |
| Thu | 10/8 | Chapter 8: Late Effects of Radiation Exposure Clover Course: X-Ray Production & Safety Module: Radiation Biology Lesson: Embryonic & Fetal Effects |
Embryo and Fetal Effects | ASSIGN: Assignment 2 Radiobiology and Radiosensitivity Case Analysis |
| Tue | 10/13 | Chapters 7-8 | Biological Effects of Radiation | QUIZ 4: Chapters 7 and 8 |
| Thu | 10/15 | Chapter 9: Dose Limits for Exposure to Ionizing Radiation | Radiation Protection Agencies and Regulations | DUE: Assignment 2 |
| Tue | 10/20 | Chapter 9: Dose Limits for Exposure to Ionizing Radiation | Radiation Dose Limits | QUIZ 5: Chapter 9 ASSIGN: Assignment 3 Dose Limits, Regulations, and Pregnancy Case Study |
| Thu | 10/22 | Exam 2: Chapters 7-9 | ||
| Tue | 10/27 | Chapter 10: Equipment Design for Radiation Protection Clover Course: X-Ray Production & Safety Module: Radiation Protection Lessons: Shielding, Filtration Measurements, and Half-Value Layers (HVL) |
Equipment Design for Radiation Protection | DUE: Assignment 3 |
| Thu | 10/29 | Chapter 11: Management of Patient Radiation Dose | Patient Protection in Radiography | |
| Tue | 11/3 | Chapter 11: Management of Patient Radiation Dose Clover Course: Fundamentals of Fluoroscopy Module: Safety Lesson: Fluoroscopic Dose Measurements |
Patient Considerations and Dose Documentation | ASSIGN: Assignment 4 Patient Dose and Repeat-Reduction Plan |
| Thu | 11/5 | Chapter 11: Management of Patient Radiation Dose Clover Course: Fundamentals of Fluoroscopy Module: Modes of Operation Lessons: Spot Imaging & Last Image Hold, Multifield Intensification, Modes of Operation, and Pulsed Fluoroscopy and Frame Averaging Module: Safety Lesson: Reducing Patient Dose |
Patient Protection in Fluoroscopy | |
| Tue | 11/10 | Chapter 12: Management of Occupational Radiation Dose Clover Course: X-Ray Production & Safety Module: Radiation Protection Review Lessons: Cardinal Rule (ALARA) and Shielding |
Personnel Protection: ALARA, Time, Distance, and Shielding | QUIZ 6: Chapters 10 and 11 DUE: Assignment 4 |
| Thu | 11/12 | Chapter 12: Management of Occupational Radiation Dose Clover Course: Fundamentals of Fluoroscopy Module: Safety Lesson: Reducing Occupational Dose |
Protective Devices | ASSIGN: Assignment 5 Fluoroscopy and Mobile Personnel Protection Plan |
| Tue | 11/17 | Chapter 12: Management of Occupational Radiation Dose Clover Course: Fundamentals of Fluoroscopy Module: Safety Lessons: Fluoroscopy Iso Curves and Distance in Fluoroscopy |
Mobile and Fluoroscopy Personnel Protection | |
| Thu | 11/19 | Chapter 13: Radiation Monitoring Clover Course: X-Ray Production & Safety Module: Radiation Detection Devices Lessons: Radiation Detection Overview, Occupational Dosimetry, and TLD & OSL Dosimeters |
Personnel Dosimeters | QUIZ 7: Chapter 12 DUE: Assignment 5 |
| Tue | 11/24 | Chapter 13: Radiation Monitoring Clover Course: X-Ray Production & Safety Module: Radiation Detection Devices Review Lessons: Occupational Dosimetry and TLD & OSL Dosimeters |
Personnel Monitoring Program | ASSIGN: Assignment 6 Dosimetry Record and Radiation Safety Audit |
| Thu | 11/26 | No Class | ||
| Tue | 12/1 | Chapters 14-16 | Modality-Specific Radiation Safety and Radioactive Materials | QUIZ 8: Chapter 13 DUE: Assignment 6 |
| Thu | 12/3 | Exam 3: Chapters 10-13, 16 | ||
| Thu | 12/10 | 800am - 1000am | Final Exam |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.