Medical Physics of Photon and Proton Therapy

The course deals with various topics concerning radiotherapy (mainly photon and proton):

• Introduction to radiotherapy

• Clinical aspects

• Radiobiology

• Biophysical models

• Proton therapy physics

• Dose shaping and plan optimization

• Dose calculation using clinical and Monte Carlo schemes

• Theory of dosimetry and in-vivo dosimetry

• Brachytherapy

The final grade for the course is calculated according to the following formula:

Final grade = 0.4 * Homework grade + 0.6 * Exam grade.

To earn a passing grade, Homework grade has to be at least 5.5, and Exam grade and Final grade at least 6.0.

Homework grade calculation

The homework assignments are mandatory. The homework grade is based on the results of 3 small and 2 big assignments, with small and big assignments making up 30% and 70% of the total points for the homework, respectively.

Small assignments must be made individually. Big assignments can be made either individually, or in pairs of 2, but you can only pair up with the same person once (so you will have to work with 3 different students if you want to make each big assignment in a pair). Pairs will always receive the same grade.

All homework assignments will be handled via Brightspace (BS), with well-defined electronic submission deadlines at 23:59:59 on various dates. Late submission of all homework assignments will be allowed, but is only eligible for partial grade according to the following formula:

Final assignment grade = assignment grade * (1 – 0.2 * number of started days after deadline).

Examination is written, and resit exam can be oral (by appointment), depending on the number of students. The partial grades for the exam and the homework assignments are valid for 1 year, i.e., for the given and the next academic years.