Faculty: Health Sciences The Radiotherapy major focuses on the use of ionizing radiation to treat cancer and other diseases. Students develop skills in radiation oncology, treatment planning, radiation safety, and patient care. Graduates are prepared for careers in hospitals, cancer treatment centers, and radiotherapy departments. **Learning Objectives:** - Understand the fundamentals of radiotherapy and radiation oncology. - Develop skills in treatment planning, radiation delivery, and patient care. - Learn techniques for ensuring radiation safety and quality assurance. - Explore principles of oncology, radiobiology, and medical physics. - Analyze and interpret radiotherapy data and treatment outcomes. - Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and clinical skills for effective radiotherapy practice. **Major Outline:** 1. **Introduction to Radiotherapy** - Overview of key concepts, principles, and practices in radiotherapy. - Fundamentals 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 dosimetry, beam geometry, and optimization techniques. - Techniques for developing and implementing radiation treatment 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, dosimetry, and regulatory compliance. - Techniques for ensuring quality assurance and safety in radiotherapy 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 Radiotherapy** - Principles of medical physics in radiotherapy, including radiation interactions, dosimetry calculations, and equipment calibration. - Techniques for applying medical physics concepts in radiation therapy planning and delivery. 8. **Patient Care in Radiotherapy** - Principles of patient care in radiotherapy, including patient assessment, supportive care, and symptom management. - Techniques for providing compassionate and effective care to radiotherapy patients. 9. **Clinical Placement** - Real-world experiences in radiotherapy settings, including clinical rotations, internships, and hands-on practice in hospitals or cancer treatment centers. - Application of learned skills in practical radiotherapy scenarios. 10. **Capstone Project in Radiotherapy** - Comprehensive project applying skills in treatment planning, radiation delivery, or radiation safety. - Delivery of a polished radiotherapy project, research paper, or presentation. **Assessment Methods:** - Radiation oncology reports, treatment planning projects, radiation delivery studies, radiation safety plans, oncology and radiobiology analyses, medical physics projects, patient care plans, clinical placement reports, capstone projects, group projects, and presentations. **Recommended Textbooks:** - "Radiotherapy" 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 Radiotherapy" by various authors. - "Patient Care in Radiotherapy" by various authors. **Prerequisites:** Basic knowledge of physics, biology, and medical terminology. Suitable for students interested in radiation oncology, cancer treatment, and healthcare services. **Major Duration:** Typically 4 years for a bachelor's degree, including coursework, clinical placements, and internships. Additional advanced degrees or certifications may be required for specialized roles. **Certification:** Graduates may receive a degree in Radiotherapy and pursue further education or professional certifications, such as a Master's 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 radiotherapy departments. This major equips students with the clinical, technical, and patient care skills needed to excel in radiotherapy, supporting careers in various cancer treatment and healthcare settings.