CVT2511 - Radiation Biology and Safety

Academic Dean’s Contact Information

LAKELAND DEAN’S OFFICE: LLC 2255              PHONE: (863) 297-1024
WINTER HAVEN DEAN’S OFFICE: WSC 101      PHONE: (863) 297-1020

Students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate “technical procedure skills” necessary to assist the cardiologist during diagnostic and interventional cardiac and peripheral procedures in the cardiac catheterization lab.
2. Demonstrate basic patient care skills.
3. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication.
 

 
Course Objectives:
 

1. The student will demonstrate understanding of cellular components.
2. The student will demonstrate understanding of factors which affect an organism’s response to ionizing radiation.
3. The student will demonstrate the understanding of the different sources and categories of radiation.
4. The student will demonstrate understanding of the effects of ionizing radiation on living systems.
5. The student will demonstrate understanding of methods of measurement and detection of radiation exposure.
6. The student will demonstrate understanding of methods for protecting patients from unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation.
7. The student will understand the importance of quality control in relation to reduced exposure and overall quality of image produced for best diagnostic

 

Course Content:
 

1. The student will understand the effects of radiation on cellular components as measured by his/her ability to: 1) Describe the function of the major components of a cell. 2) Describe the importance of DNA in a cell and the effects of radiation on DNA structure. 3) Discriminate between the physical and biological effects of genetic and somatic mutations.
2. The student will understand factors affecting the degree to which organisms respond to ionizing radiation by as measured by his/her ability to: 1) Explain the concept of relative biological effectiveness. 2) State what recovery means in terms of radiation exposure. 3) Describe the physiochemical reactions of ionizing radiation in living cells. 4) Explain the law of Bergonie and Tribondeau and its relevance to radiation exposure. 5) Define maximum permissible dose and apply the formula for determining the yearly allowable dose.
3. The student will understand the different sources and categories of radiation as measured by his/her ability to: 1) List the sources of artificial radiation. 2) List the categories of background radiation. 3) Identify the main contributor of total dose from medical exposures. 4) Identify the types of ionizing radiation and their differential effects on living systems.
4. The student will understand the principle effects of ionizing radiation on living systems as measured by his/her ability to: 1) Explain immediate lethal effects of exposure to ionizing radiation. 2) Describe the possible symptoms of an individual exposed to increasing doses of radiation. 3) Define LD 50/30. 4) Explain why the embryonic period of life is so radiosensitive to ionizing radiation. 5) List factors contributing to the radiosensitivity of tissues. 6) Compare and contrast the main radiation syndromes in terms of survival time and dose. 7) Describe the acute radiation syndrome. 8) Describe methods for estimating biological risk.
5. The student will understand methods of measurement and detection of radiation exposure as measured by his/her ability to: 1) Define the units of radiation measurement. 2) Discuss personnel monitoring devices in terms of types, purpose, characteristics, and advantages/disadvantages. 3) Explain the theory of operation of an ionization chamber. 4) Explain the theory of operation of a Geiger-Mueller detector.
6. The student will understand methods for protecting patients from unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation as measured by his/her ability to: 1) Describe the relationship of beam limiting devices to patient radiation protection. 2) Explain the ten-day rule and its application to female patients of childbearing age. 3) Explain the relationship of exposure factors to patient dosage. 4) Explain the use of primary and secondary radiation barriers. 5) Explain the purpose and the importance of patient shielding.
 

Textbook and Other Requirements

Textbook information is provided in the course syllabus, at the campus bookstore, on the campus bookstore website (www.polk.bncollege.com), or via the “Shop Textbooks” button on the PASSPORT schedule of classes.

College-Level Communication and Computation Skills

State Rule 6A-10.030 does not apply to this course.

Student Help

The professor is available for help during posted hours, and the student is encouraged to seek assistance whenever it is needed. To further the educational process, the Learning Resources Centers, comprised of the campus Teaching/Learning and Computing Centers (TLCCs), JD Alexander (JDA) Student Success Center, and campus libraries, are available for student use. Each resource provides qualified staff and up-to-date equipment and facilities to promote academic success. The TLCCs and JDA Student Success Center provide tutoring services, computing resources, and other instructional support. The library provides information resources, individual and group study space, research assistance, information literacy instruction, and computing resources. Each facility provides free wireless access to the Internet. The Polk State College Library, Student Success Center, and TLCC hours of operation and tutoring schedules are posted at each facility and on the College’s website.

Repeating a Course

Under the Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one college-credit course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. Under certain circumstances, a student may petition to repeat a credit course beyond the third attempt. Limited-admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding course repeats that vary from this policy; these guidelines are listed in each specific program’s handbook. The student should be aware that repeating a course may result in a higher course cost. A course cannot be repeated unless the previously earned grade is a D, F, or W (the Polk State College Catalog provides further details regarding this process). Prior to repeating a course, the student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, repeating the course may have on his or her financial-aid status.

Academic Dishonesty

The student is responsible for his or her work. It is assumed that each student is honest and abides by this standard; however, in the event that there is an indication or suspicion of cheating or plagiarism, the situation is dealt with in accordance with the published College policy. Copies of this policy are available in the Student Services Office. More specific information regarding academic dishonesty can be found in the instructor’s Course Syllabus.

Information Technology Access/Use Policy

The information technology resources provided by Polk State College (including, but not limited to, telephones, computers, the Polk State Local Area and Wide Area Networks, and the Internet) must be used for academic purposes only. Use of these resources is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use can result in revocation or suspension of this privilege.

Equal Access/Opportunity

Polk State College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution committed to excellence through diversity in education and employment. The College complies with all state and federal laws granting rights to students, employees, and applicants for employment or admission to the College. Polk State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or pregnancy in its programs, activities, or employment.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies:
Lonnie Thompson
Chief Diversity Officer
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Office: WAD 227
Telephone: (863) 292-3602
e-mail: lthompson@polk.edu

Equal Opportunity For Students With Disabilities

The College complies with The Americans with Disabilities Act and provides equal educational opportunity for qualified individuals. A student with a disability who requires special accommodations or auxiliary aids under The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Coordinator or Director of Disability Services.

Note: Limited-admission programs may have performance restrictions that apply. Restrictions (where applicable) are outlined in each program’s student handbook.

Video and/or Audio Recording

Video and/or audio recording in a college class are strictly regulated by State and Federal law, in addition to Polk State College Policy. Improper video and/or audio recordings made in a college classroom, or the improper sharing of such recordings, exposes the recording student to serious potential legal liability. Students are strongly cautioned to make informed choices in compliance with State and Federal law, as well as College Policy, when debating whether to make audio and/or video recordings in class.

An enrolled student may record video and/or audio of a class lecture for personal educational use, including in support of disability accommodations. A lecture is defined as: a formal or methodical oral presentation, given by the instructor as part of a college course, that is intended to present information or teach enrolled students about a particular subject. A lecture may be presented live, online, or in-person by the course professor.

A lecture recording may not be shared or published without the written permission of the professor. All supportive disability accommodation-based audio and/or video lecture recording activity must receive prior written approval from the Polk State College Office of Disability Services and the course professor.

It is important to be respectful of students’ rights to privacy; with this in mind, College policy stipulates that students should not record peers during lectures, class discussions, student presentations, labs, group work, and private conversations. Recording a student without his or her consent could have legal consequences, including a possible violation of State and/or Federal law and the Polk State College Student Code of Conduct.

If a professor becomes aware of a violation of the student recording policy, he or she is able to address this through the College, including the assignment of sanctions (District Board of Trustees Rule 4.01 and Polk State Procedure 5028: Student Code of Conduct: Sanctions and Assignment of Penalties for Violations). This is in addition to other liabilities, as aforementioned.

COVID-19

Polk State College is committed to the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff. Members of the College community are expected to assume personal responsibility to keep themselves and others healthy and safe. Before coming to campus each day:

• Each student must self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a list of COVID-19 symptoms (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus).
• A student who is experiencing illness or symptoms of COVID-19 should not come to campus. The student must notify his or her professor by email within one business day of the absence and should notify a healthcare provider if symptoms worsen.
• A student must self-report if he or she becomes ill with COVID-19, has COVID-19 symptoms, or has been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The student must also notify the College directly through the self-reporting tool on the Polk State webpage. The student is responsible for communicating his or her status with the professor should there be a need for isolation or quarantine similar to how they would address other illnesses and unforeseen conditions.

When on campus:

• The College strongly recommends that each student, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, wear a mask or face covering while indoors on campus. A professor may offer office hours in various formats including face-to-face meetings, video conferencing, email, or telephone. The professor may require the student to wear a mask or cloth face covering during an office meeting. Any student who does not feel comfortable complying with this requirement may use other modes of communication to connect with the professor.
• Each student is strongly encouraged to practice social distancing while on campus, keeping at least six feet of separation from others when possible and avoiding crowded hallways, stairwells, and other enclosed spaces.
• Any student who is unvaccinated (or who has health concerns) should maintain six feet of social distance in classroom and lab settings, or work with the professor to arrange for special seating arrangements or accommodations (as possible).
• A student who is currently unvaccinated is strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. The College website lists information regarding on-campus vaccination events (polk.edu/vaccine). An unvaccinated student is also encouraged to follow the CDC’s guidance regarding protection from COVID-19 infection (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html).
• Any student who begins to feel ill or who experiences symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, or fever while on campus should immediately return home, notify his or her professor(s), and call a healthcare provider if symptoms worsen. Additionally, any student exhibiting these symptoms may be sent home by his or her professor and instructed to complete the COVID Reporting Tool.

In the interest of health and safety, an instructor has the right to ask any student who fails to comply with these requirements to leave class. If a student refuses to comply, per Polk State College Rule 4.01: Code of Student Conduct for Students and Student Organizations, the professor has the right to refer the non-compliant student to a Student Services administrator for disciplinary action and to cancel class for the day.

Guidance about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus). Additionally, Be the Solution: Polk State College’s Return to Campus Plan is available online and provides information about the College’s response to the public health crisis (www.polk.edu/campus-safety-security/covid-19). Each student is encouraged to direct questions about these requirements to a campus-based associate dean or a professor. The Executive Dean of Student Services, Dr. Pakowski, may be reached by email at lpakowski@polk.edu.

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