ANAT 444: Anatomy for Radiation Therapists – 3 credits

Students from the Radiation Therapy (RT) program will work to develop an understanding of fundamental anatomical principles and relationships as applied to clinical contexts. By doing so, students will learn to recognize anatomical structures using prosection donors and various imaging techniques to facilitate the translation of observations from cadaveric materials to images of living patients.

CONJ 311: Diverse Patient Populations – 2 credits

Basic geriatric foundation needed for clinical practice with older adults including: sensory changes, mental health, health promotion and disease prevention, functional assessment, social supports, common health problems/disease, interdisciplinary team approach.

CONJ 412: Medical Law – 2 credits

Fundamental elements of Medical Law and its implications in the radiologic sciences along with discussion of the legal ramifications of the "Scope of Practice" for radiation therapists. A broad overview of the sources of law, the litigation process and the legal concept of standard of care are covered as they relate to radiation therapy.

IPE 401: Foundations of Patient Safety and Interprofessional Practice - 1 credit

RDTT 303: Practical Radiation Therapy – 1 credit

Gain practical knowledge from the field of Radiation Therapy. Utilizing the virtual classroom, students learn practical technical skills in a simulated clinical environment. Guest lecturers will give presentations based on their experience as Radiation Oncology Professionals.

RDTT 305: Medical Terminology – 3 credits

Basic structure of medical words including prefixes, suffixes, roots, and combining forms are used to establish a foundation in the language of health care. Correct spelling, pronunciation, and meaning of terms are stressed.

RDTT 309: Clinic/Junior Year – total 16 credits

Clinical education in an affiliated radiation therapy department under the supervision of a registered radiation therapist. Includes application of equipment manipulation and operation, patient care, patient positioning, and radiation protection. Requires clinical objectives, evaluations, patient logs, clinic/didactic journal and attendance. 

RDTT 312: Introduction to Radiation Therapy – 4 credits

Introduction to the profession of radiation therapy, the radiation oncology IP team, basic treatment skills, team/patient communication concepts, and various aspects of the radiation therapy field. Clinical safety training includes: environmental, infection control, radiation safety, MRI safety and BLS certification. The course incorporates lectures, virtual simulation and clinical experiences to prepare students for clinical placements. 

*RDTT 313: Radiographic Technique – 3 credits 

Introduces theory and practical application of film/screen composition, care and use, sensitometry, latent image formation and development, automatic film processing, subtractive/duplication of radiologic image and quality assurance. *RDTT 313 is waived for students with a prior degree in a relevant radiologic science. Students who qualify for the waiver will be notified at the time of matriculation and will not be required to register for the course.

RDTT 314: Simulation – 3 credits 

Course is designed to provide knowledge base for assessing, comparing, and recommending the type of radiation therapy equipment, procedure and technique, patient positioning and immobilization for appropriate tumor localization and treatment delivery. The responsibilities of the radiation therapist with regards to the treatment prescription, documentation of treatment parameters and delivery, and patient condition and education will be examined. Class activity includes laboratory experience using a treatment simulator.

RDTT 316: Sectional Anatomy and Imaging Modalities - 2 credits 

Sectional anatomy content introduces students to medical imaging methods currently used in the field of radiation therapy. Students will identify normal anatomical structures via a variety of imaging formats. Basic anatomical relationships will be compared using topographical and cross sectional images. The course will present the principles diagnostic imaging procedures and the physical principles of image formation in each modality.

RDTT 320: Basic Patient Care Skills in Radiation Therapy – 3 credits

Introduction to the basic principles of infection control, asepsis, proper body mechanics, and the application of vital signs. Issues discussed include how ethics are applicable to practice, concept of health promotion, and communication within the context of health care.

RDTT 321: Patient Care in Radiation Oncology – 3 credits 

Concepts of oncologic patient care, procedures, related toxicity's, and patient management as they relate in the radiation therapy setting. Evaluation of the multi-disciplinary treatment approach to care for the radiation therapy patient. Skills in venipuncture technique and equipment are taught.

RDTT 328: Quality Improvement and Change Management - 2 credits

Course is designed to focus on the components of quality improvement (QI) programs in radiation oncology. Topics will include developing a culture of safety through quality control and assurance checks for the clinical aspects of patient care and medical records. (ARST) The role of the various radiation therapy team members in continuous quality improvement will be discussed. Continuous quality improvement (CQI) project development and evaluation and assessment techniques will be emphasized. Human resource concepts and regulations impacting the radiation therapist will be examined. Accreditation agencies and the radiation therapist's role in the accreditation process will be emphasized. Change Management methodology, process improvement and organization concepts will be presented and discussed.

RDTT 332: Pathophysiological Processes I – 3 credits 

This course introduces pathophysiological processes that contribute to many different disease states across the lifespan and human responses to those processes. It includes the foundational concepts of cellular adaptation, injury and death; inflammation and tissue healing; fluid and electrolyte imbalances; and physiologic response to stressors and pain, as well as additional pathophysiological processes. Students will learn to make selective clinical decisions in the context of nursing regarding using current, reliable sources of pathophysiology information, selecting and interpreting focused nursing assessments based on knowledge of pathophysiological processes, teaching persons from diverse populations regarding pathophysiological processes and communicating with other health professionals regarding pathophysiological processes.

RDTT 333: Pathophysiological Processes II – 3 credits 

This sequel to Pathophysiological Processes I continues to explore pathophysiological processes that contribute to disease states across the lifespan and human responses to those processes. Students will learn to make selected clinical decisions in the context of nursing regarding using current, reliable sources of pathophysiology information, selecting and interpreting focused nursing assessments based on knowledge of pathophysiological processes, teaching persons from diverse populations regarding pathophysiological processes and communicating with other health professionals regarding pathophysiological processes. The course addresses additional pathophysiological processes not contained in Pathophysiological Processes I.

RDTT 340: Radiobiology – 3 credits

Biological effects of ionizing radiation at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels with emphasis on vertebrates; both acute and chronic radiation effects are considered.

RDTT 400: Introduction to Medical Research Methods - 2 credits 

This course will provide an opportunity for participants to establish or advance their understanding of research through critical exploration of research language, ethics, and approaches. The course introduces the language of research, ethical principles and challenges, and the elements of the research process within quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches. Participants will use these theoretical underpinnings to begin to critically review literature relevant to their field or interests and determine how research findings are useful in forming their understanding of their work, social, local and global environment.

RDTT 403: Practical Radiation Therapy – 1 credit

Gain practical knowledge from the field of Radiation Therapy. Utilizing the virtual classroom, students learn practical technical skills in a simulated clinical environment. Guest lecturers will give presentations based on their experience as Radiation Oncology Professionals.

RDTT 405: Radiation Oncology I, II, III – total 9 credits 

This course includes the fundamentals of clinical radiation oncology in regards to treatment methods and patient management. Given a specific tumor, an evaluation process will be done that includes: etiology, epidemiology, clinical detection, diagnostic procedures, pathology, anatomy, mechanisms of spread, general treatment methods, radiation oncology treatment plans, side effects/patient care and prognosis of disease.

*RDTT 407: Radiation Therapy Registry Review – 3 credits (*course delivered remotely)

This course provides a review of basic radiation therapy concepts and critical topics, including oncology, radiation protection, radiobiology, patient care, physics concepts, and radiation oncology treatment techniques, as preparation for the national board exams (ARRT). Preparation includes webinars, guest lectures, and board review sessions. The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of radiation therapy principles and readiness through mock examinations, discussions and individual assessments. 

RDTT 409: Clinic/Senior Year – total 22 credits 

Clinical education in an affiliated radiation therapy department under the supervision of a registered radiation therapist. Includes application of equipment manipulation and operation, patient care, patient positioning, and radiation protection. Requires clinical objectives, evaluations, patient logs, clinic/didactic journal and attendance.

RDTT 411: Dosimetry I – 2 credits

Introduction to the basic concepts of clinical dosimetry and treatment planning. Course includes methods of dose calculations and patient contouring, dose definitions, and isodose summations. Treatment planning in the computer lab will accompany lecture material.

RDTT 412: Dosimetry II – 2 credits 

This class builds on the concepts introduced in RDTT 411. The course will examine specific techniques of calculation used in the clinical environment and will develop a rationale for the basic calculation techniques. Treatment planning in the computer lab will accompany lecture material.

RDTT 413: Dosimetry III – 2 credits

Course will cover evaluation and interpretation of treatment planning information. Treatment planning will be covered using specific anatomical sites. Treatment planning in the computer lab will accompany lecture material.

RDTT 420: Radiation Therapy Physics I – 4 credits 

Introduction to basic concepts of radiation therapy physics. Course includes measurement of ionizing radiation, calibration of megavoltage x‑ray and electron beams, dosimetry of radiation fields, manual treatment planning processes.

RDTT 421: Radiation Therapy Physics II – 4 credits

Introduction to basic concepts of radiation therapy physics. Course includes computer treatment planning, computer systems, brachytherapy sources and treatment planning.

RDTT 422: Radiation Therapy Physics III – 4 credits 

Introduction to basic concepts of radiation therapy physics. Course includes quality assurance for radiation therapy, radiation protection, radiation therapy applications of diagnostic imaging, and special topics.

RDTT 450: Independent Research, Patient Education I – 1 credit

In this course students will conduct a comprehensive literature review to determine best practices in radiation oncology related to a specific diagnosis, and the patient education practices associated with that. Students will complete an assessment of current patient education materials available and integrate information literacy concepts for the development of a research paper and patient education capstone. Students will work independently on the research component and in a group for the capstone component, with faculty advisement throughout the process. This course is a prerequisite for RDTT 453 final presentation of the Patient Education Capstone Project to relevant stakeholders.

RDTT 451: Independent Research, Patient Education II – 1 credit 

In this course students will conduct a comprehensive literature review to determine best practices in radiation oncology related to a specific diagnosis, and the patient education practices associated with that. Students will complete an assessment of current patient education materials available and integrate information literacy concepts for the development of a research paper and patient education capstone. Students will work independently on the research component and in a group for the capstone component, with faculty advisement throughout the process. This course is a prerequisite for RDTT 453 final presentation of the Patient Education Capstone Project to relevant stakeholders.

RDTT 452: Independent Research, Patient Education III – 1 credit 

In this course students will conduct a comprehensive literature review to determine best practices in radiation oncology related to a specific diagnosis, and the patient education practices associated with that. Students will complete an assessment of current patient education materials available and integrate information literacy concepts for the development of a research paper and patient education capstone. Students will work independently on the research component and in a group for the capstone component, with faculty advisement throughout the process. This course is a prerequisite for RDTT 453 final presentation of the Patient Education Capstone Project to relevant stakeholders.

RDTT 453: Patient Education Capstone – 2 credits

In this course students will present a final research capstone project that demonstrates knowledge and application of evidence-based patient education practices gained through conducting research and clinical education. Students will select a specific oncology diagnosis group within radiation oncology, evaluate current educational materials available, recognize best practices and assess current gaps, considering the patient perspective throughout. Students will work in defined groups with faculty advisement throughout the research and development stages of the Capstone Project. Final project quality should be appropriate for potential patient dissemination.