ObjectivesAmong the skills students in the Radiation Oncology program will acquire are: * safely using ionizing radiation for the treatment of malignancies * safely operating sophisticated equipment that delivers high energy radiation * caring for patients undergoing such treatment
Practical experienceIn the third year of the program, students gain valuable clinical experience by working and studying in affiliated health centres.
Academic titleRadiation Oncology Diploma
Course descriptionTerm 1
Course Number Course Name C - L - H Hrs
142-BWB-04 Safety and Patient Care 2 - 2 - 2 60
Description: This course is a pre-requisite to Oncology I. Awareness of patient safety and professional relationship are developed. Most of the skills and professional attitudes developed in this course are applied in the Specific Techniques courses of the program. The course allows the student to anticipate and evaluate all health-and-safety risks in the workplace other than radiation and to suggest appropriate actions to prevent and/or correct problems in Radiation Oncology. The student becomes familiar with the management of side effects related to chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
142-BZB-DW Introduction to Radiology/Clinical 1 1 - 3 - 3 60
Description: This course represents the first program competency and is taught as an integration of both didactic and clinical components. It serves as an orientation to the College, the hospital and to the Diagnostic Imaging and the Radiation Oncology programs. It is designed to introduce all aspects of the discipline at an elementary level. The main topics covered are college orientation, program structure and objectives, academic regulations/policies and general information. The course content also includes basic medical terminology relating to radiology medico-legal and ethical considerations regarding patients. Essential information on the nature of radiation, concepts of X/gamma rays production, equipment and accessories, plus basic principles of radiation imaging, treatment and protection, are introduced.
203-BXB-05 Physics of Radiology 3 - 2 - 3 75
Description: This course focuses on the analysis of the basic physical phenomena relating to the various Diagnostic Imaging Modalities and Radiation Oncology. With the use of multimeters and test instruments, the student describes basic principles of electromagnetism, magnetic resonance, optics and ultrasound. He/she analyzes the nature of matter and radiation as applied to clinical situations in general. Physics of Radiology is a course offered to both the Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Oncology programs. However, the laboratory component is program-specific. Some physical phenomena, structure of matter, and production and properties of radiation are seen early in the term, as these notions are essential to the Basic Radiographic Imaging course (142-BYE-03) offered in the same semester.
350-BXF-03 Psychology and Social issues in Radiation Oncology 2 - 1 - 2 45
Description: This course is offered only in Radiation Oncology. Awareness and the skills developed in this course will be valuable throughout the stage and in the clinical work environment. As a healthcare giver, the technologist regularly deals with the emotional impact on a patient being diagnosed with cancer. Students are expected to recognize behavioural characteristics and the psycho-social needs of the patients and their families. The course will provide students with the knowledge they will need to establish caring relationships with patients. It will demonstrate how to be attentive to verbal/non-verbal communication, to evaluate patient’s needs, to determine the proper intervention, and to resolve issues by communicating information pertaining to the patient.
General Education
109-103-02 Health and Physical Education 1 - 1 - 1 30
345-103-04 Knowledge 3 - 1 - 3 60
602-10_-03 French: Bloc A 2 - 1 - 3 45
603-101-04 Introduction to College English 2 - 2 - 4 60
Term 2
Course Number Course Name C - L - H Hrs
101-BXD-05 Biology of Radiology 3 - 2 - 3 75
Description: The purpose of this course is to give the student the basics of the essential anatomy and physiology of all human body systems as it pertains to Diagnostic Imaging. The structure and function of cells is discussed with emphasis on the cell cycle, cell division, both mitosis and meiosis, with reference to the mechanism of tissue repair. All human anatomical systems are described in three-dimensional perspective with respect to location, surface landmarks and surrounding structures. The physiology of all systems is described with emphasis on skeletal, endocrine, lymphatic, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The course also introduces the student to human embryology and fetal development as well as the use of cross-sectional anatomy.
142-BWD-03 Image and Data Processing in Radiation Oncology 2 - 1 - 2 45
Teacher(s) for Winter 2009: Elias Katsaros teaching section(s) 01 L1 L2
Description: The purpose of this course is to give the student a basic comprehension of applied principles of Image Recording techniques for analog and digital imaging in Radiation Oncology. Upon completion of the course, the student will have learned how to correctly and safely handle general purpose x-ray apparatus, darkroom apparatus and accessory equipment, standard recording material (films and screens), and analog processing equipment. The student will learn the basic geometry and the physical principles of gamma/x-ray image formation and processing. The student will describe the basic functions of a computer and its input/output devices. He/she will describe the differences between analog and digital processing. The student will compare the various types of short/long term memory storage devices. He/she will analyze the basic terminology and concepts relating to a LAN, a WAN and the Internet. The student will effectively navigate, upload and download digital files from various networks.
142-BWE-04 Oncology I 3 - 1 - 4 60
Teacher(s) for Winter 2009: Giovanna Miceli teaching section(s) 01 L1 L2
Description: This course is intended to give students of Radiation Oncology a foundation in all aspects of the field. The student will learn disease-specific epidemiologies, pathology, staging, treatment technique, field arrangements, beam accessories, and immobilization devices. Students will learn treatment related side effects, their management, and palliative and curative courses of treatments. Case studies will be used to acquire the knowledge and the ability to fully prepare the student for Oncology II, Simulation and Clinical courses.
142-BWF-03 Properties of Ionizing Radiation 2 - 1 - 3 45
Teacher(s) for Winter 2009: Elias Katsaros teaching section(s) 01
Description: This is the first of four courses in radiation physics specific to Radiation Oncology. The course gives students the knowledge of basic atomic and nuclear physics and concentrates on interactions of ionizing radiation with matter in general and with biological materials in particular. The course serves as a pre-requisite to the Radiotherapy Apparatus and Dosimetry courses given in subsequent semesters.
142-BZM-09 Clinical 2 0 - 9 - 3 135
Teacher(s) for Winter 2009: Elias Katsaros teaching section(s) 01 02
Emma Pietracupa teaching section(s) 01
Giovanna Miceli teaching section(s) 01
Anabel Gratton teaching section(s) 01
Description: This early clinical practice allows the student to fully integrate all skills developed during the first year and greatly facilitates instructions to be given during the second year of the program. In the clinical setting, students learn the skills of communication, patient care and equipment handling. This course effectively prepares the student for the third step of the program.
General Education
109-104-02 Physical Activity 0 - 2 - 1 30
345-102-03 World Views 3 - 0 - 3 45
603-102-04 Literary Genres 2 - 2 - 3 60
Term 3
Course Number Course Name C - L - H Hrs
142-BWG-04 Oncology II 3 - 1 - 3 60
Description: The knowledge and abilities acquired in this course, as well as in Oncology 1, will allow the student to develop the ability to recognize the importance of treatment volumes when planning treatment for patients. The student will learn to select an appropriate technique and treatment unit, resolve dose-related problems and calculate the treatment dose/time, as well as acquire the knowledge to adequately analyze the patient’s treatment plan. The student is required to establish the relationship of this course to other courses in the program.
142-BWH-03 Apparatus 2 - 1 - 3 45
Description: The student learns safe and effective use of equipment and accessories used in radiotherapy. The student will also learn the rationale for their clinical application based on the knowledge obtained in Properties of Ionizing Radiation. The theory and abilities acquired in this course will allow the student to be fully 119 prepared for safe and effective use of equipment during Clinical Practice.
142-BWJ-03 Dosimetry I 2 - 1 - 3 45
Description: This is the first of two radiation dosimetry courses providing the student with basics of clinical radiation dosimetry. The basic quantities and units used in dosimetry are discussed in detail and their application in the calculation of clinical dose distributions is explained. The course starts with a discussion of single photon beams and progresses through dose distributions obtained with multiple photon beams to electron beams and dosimetry in Brachytherapy.
142-BZN-03 Clinical 3 0 - 3 - 2 45
Description: This clinical practice allows the student to fully integrate all skills developed during the second year and greatly facilitates instructions to be given during the fourth semester before the stage year. In the clinical setting, students acquire skills of dose calculations. This course effectively prepares the student for the third step of the program.
General Education
Term 4
Course Number Course Name C - L - H Hrs
142-BWK-04 Radio-Oncology Protection 3 - 1 - 3 60
Teacher(s) for Winter 2009: Jocelyne Pfeiffer teaching section(s) 01 L1 L2
Description: This course gives the student a basic understanding of applied Radiation Physics and Radiobiology in order to clearly understand the importance of Radiation Protection in Radiotherapy. Upon completion of the course, the student will have learned how to perform effective Radiation Protection as applied to the patient, the public and themselves. The knowledge and abilities acquired from this course will allow the student to be fully prepared to apply radiation safety measures in clinical settings. The student will be required to establish the relationship of this course to other courses in the program. Emphasis will be placed on how prior knowledge and abilities acquired may have an impact on radiation safety.
142-BWM-DW Dosimetry 2 2 - 1 - 3 45
Description: This is the second of two radiation dosimetry courses. It expands the scope of the first dosimetry course, which deals with basics of radiation dosimetry and concentrates on beam measurement techniques, quality assurance issues in treatment planning, as well as with the special techniques used in radiotherapy. The use of a series of labs will aid in the demonstration and application of knowledge acquired in these two dosimetry courses.
142-BWN-03 Simulation 2 - 1 - 2 45
Teacher(s) for Winter 2009: Jocelyne Pfeiffer teaching section(s) 01 L1 L2
Description: In a clinical setting, the student will develop the skills to perform simulation for external beam treatment. The student will learn fluoroscopy; analysis and completion of a patient’s file, preparation of materials, evaluation of a patient’s condition, patient communication, positioning, and production of immobilization devices and treatment accessories. They will learn to perform field localization (with/without contrast agent) with radiographs, contours, measurements and markings, and identify equipment/technical factors and field limitation. The use of the Voxel Q will demonstrate 3-D planning and virtual fluoroscopy / simulation techniques.
General Education
109-105-02 Active Living 1 - 1 - 1 30
603-BXE-04 Applied Themes in English 2 - 2 - 2 60
COMP 2 Complementary
Term 5
Course Number Course Name C - L - H Hrs
142-BZQ-15 Clinical 4 0 - 15 - 4 225
Description: Clinical Practice IV to VII will be approximately 35 weeks in the affiliated hospitals. The students will complete their clinical training by practicing the skills they learned in the classroom and lab. All treatment procedures and dose delivery will be performed in a clinical setting. The tools that have been acquired by the student will be applied here while being supervised by a registered radiation oncology technologist.
142-BZR-16 Clinical 5 0 - 16 - 4 240
Description: Clinical Practice IV to VII will be approximately 35 weeks in the affiliated hospitals. The students will complete their clinical training by practicing the skills they learned in the classroom and lab. All treatment procedures and dose delivery will be performed in a clinical setting. The tools that have been acquired by the student will be applied here while being supervised by a registered radiation oncology technologist.
Term 6
Course Number Course Name C - L - H Hrs
142-BZP-03 Integration and Professional Plan/Clinical 8 2 - 1 - 6 45
Teacher(s) for Winter 2009: Elias Katsaros teaching section(s) 01
Description: This course prepares the student for the Comprehensive Assessment by helping them integrate all program competencies. It also prepares the student for the provincial certification exam. Students must demonstrate orally, in writing and in a clinical setting, that they can perform professionally and with competence all the tasks of a radiographer. The course also assists the student in the planning of his/her goals for professional growth in Radiation Oncology.
142-BZU-16 Clinical 6 0 - 16 - 4 240
Teacher(s) for Winter 2009: Elias Katsaros teaching section(s) 01
Emma Pietracupa teaching section(s) 01
Giovanna Miceli teaching section(s) 01
Jocelyne Pfeiffer teaching section(s) 01
Anabel Gratton teaching section(s) 01
Description: Clinical Practice IV to VII will be approximately 35 weeks in the affiliated hospitals. The students will complete their clinical training by practicing the skills they learned in the classroom and lab. All treatment procedures and dose delivery will be performed in a clinical setting. The tools that have been acquired by the student will be applied here while being supervised by a registered radiation oncology technologist.
142-BZV-16 Clinical 7 0 - 16 - 4 240
Teacher(s) for Winter 2009: Elias Katsaros teaching section(s) 01
Emma Pietracupa teaching section(s) 01
Giovanna Miceli teaching section(s) 01
Jocelyne Pfeiffer teaching section(s) 01
Anabel Gratton teaching section(s) 01
Description: Clinical Practice IV to VII will be approximately 35 weeks in the affiliated hospitals. The students will complete their clinical training by practicing the skills they learned in the classroom and lab. All treatment procedures and dose delivery will be performed in a clinical setting. The tools that have been acquired by the student will be applied here while being supervised by a registered radiation oncology technologist.