MDPH405-26S2 (C) Semester Two 2026

Radiation Therapy

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 13 July 2026
End Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 26 July 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 27 September 2026

Description

Radiotherapy equipment, calibration, phantoms, radiotherapy dosimetry, beam data, beam modifiers, patient positioning, quality assurance.

The purpose of this paper is to provide students with a general basic understanding of the practice and principles of radiotherapy physics, suitable as a background for entry into a training program in medical physics, in particular radiation oncology medical physics.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course, students should be able to:
· Describe the basic principles underlying radiotherapy methods
· Understand the principles of radiotherapy equipment
· Understand the characteristics of clinical beams and their measurements
· Describe and understand basic quality control procedures for equipment in
radiotherapy
· Understand dosimetry measurements used in radiotherapy
· Understand basic treatment planning in radiotherapy
· Discuss a range of clinical applications

Prerequisites

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

Timetable 2026

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 12:00 - 13:00 John Britten 117 HP Seminar Room
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Friday 10:00 - 11:00 Rehua 429
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
Lecture C
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 13:00 - 14:00 Meremere 526
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct

Lecturer

Bryn Currie

Assessment

Assessment
15% Report
10% Presentation
15% Mid-term test
60% Final exam

Textbooks / Resources

Additional Reading:
P. Metcalf, T. Kron, P. Hoban, The Physics of Radiotherapy X-rays from Linear Accelerators,
Medical Physics Publishing, 1997
J. Van Dyk (Ed.), The Modern Technology of Radiation Oncology: A Compendium for Medical
Physicists and Radiation Oncologists, Medical Physics Publishing, 1999
2
Last updated: 10-Jul-13
J. Van Dyk (Ed.), The Modern Technology of Radiation Oncology, Volume 2: A Compendium
for Medical Physicists and Radiation Oncologists, Medical Physics Publishing, 2005
J. Van Dyk (Ed.), The Modern Technology of Radiation Oncology, Volume 3: A Compendium
for Medical Physicists and Radiation Oncologists, Medical Physics Publishing, 2013

Additional Course Outline Information

Academic integrity

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,286.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Physical & Chemical Sciences on the departments and faculties page .

All MDPH405 Occurrences

  • MDPH405-26S2 (C) Semester Two 2026