Program Overview

Course Overview

The course HL2013 Radiation Therapy is a 7.5 credit course that provides fundamental knowledge of physical, biological, and clinical aspects of radiation therapy.

Information per Course Offering

The course is offered in the autumn semester, with the following details:

• Start date: 26 October 2026
• End date: 11 January 2027
• Pace of study: 50%
• Application code: 10344
• Form of study: Normal Daytime
• Language of instruction: English

Course Contents

The course covers the following topics:

• Basic interaction processes of ionising radiation with matter
• Basic concepts of dosimetry, dosimetric quantities, and units
• Accelerators for radiation therapy, principles of linear and circular accelerators
• Optimal design of the therapy beam
• Introduction to basic biological and chemical reactions in the irradiated cells
• Lesions produced by radiation in DNA molecules
• Cell survival models
• Radiation effects on normal tissues and tumours
• The biological basis of radiotherapy, oxygen effect, dose rate dependence, dose fractionation
• Dose calculation in electron and photon beams
• Algorithms for calculations of dose distribution in the patient
• Principles of optimal treatment planning
• Dose planning exercises
• Special treatment modalities
• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

Intended Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, students should be able to:

• Describe the effects in tissue from different types of ionising radiation
• Give an overview of different accelerator designs and irradiation techniques to treat tumours
• Explain the main differences in radiobiological response of the low- and high let radiation
• Describe the mathematical methods used in the dose calculations
• Present and compare different radiation treatment strategies to obtain the best cancer cure and to spare healthy surrounding tissues under exposure to radiation
• Describe imaging tools used during treatment planning and daily treatment sessions to target the cancer and for better control of the irradiated volume

Literature and Preparations

• Specific prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in technology or science, 4 credits in physics, 4 credits in anatomy and/or physiology, English 6/B
• Literature: Information about course literature can be found in the course memo or in the course room in Canvas

Examination and Completion

• Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• Examination:
  • ÖVN1 - Exercises, 1.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • PRO1 - Project, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • TEN1 - Examination, 4.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• Examiner: Massimiliano Colarieti Tosti
• Ethical approach:
  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution

Further Information

• Course room in Canvas: Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas
• Offered by: CBH/Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems
• Main field of study: Physics
• Education cycle: Second cycle
• Supplementary information: Notice that the final schedule is not yet decided and the dates can be changed. Lectures are given at the department of Medical Radiation Physics, Karolinska hospital.