Course Biomedical Isotope Technique

The course C03/28 Biomedical isotope technique is being offered by the Graduate School of Health, Aarhus University, spring 2027.

Criteria for participation: Completed bachelor's degree in the field of health sciences, natural sciences, or technical sciences.

Requirements for participation: This course will be held in Danish. You can only participate in this course if you speak, read and understand Danish.

Aim: To provide participants with sufficient theoretical and practical insight to be able to perform work with unsealed radioactive sources in a safe manner and according to applicable guidelines. The course has been approved by the Danish Health Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen), and successful completion of the course provides sufficient qualifications to take on the role of radiation protection officer as part of a license for use of radioactive sources. Supplemented with further education the course also provides the opportunity to undertake other responsibilities and roles in accordance with relevant legislation.

Learning outcomes: After completing the course, participants are expected to be able to:

• Describe the various types of radioactive decay, the physical properties of the emitted radiation, and the most relevant mechanisms of interaction between radiation and matter.
• Describe common methods for production of artificial radionuclides and labeled substances for use in research or medicine.
• Explain the mode of operation of different types of detectors for measuring ionizing radiation and radioactivity.
• Explain basic dosimetry concepts as well as the most important biological processes at the cell and tissue level, which lead to radiation damage.
• Select and use appropriate equipment for measurement of ionizing radiation under various conditions, both for analytical purposes and for monitoring workplace radiation and contamination levels.
• Apply common statistical principles for optimization of counting efficiency and estimation of measurement uncertainty.
• Perform simple dose calculations for external and internal exposure to radioactive sources in various situations.
• Assess the need for appropriate radiation shielding and other safety measures during experimental procedures.

Workload: The full workload of the course is expected to be 186 hours

Content: The structure of atoms, radioactive decay, interaction between ionizing radiation and matter, production of artificial radionuclides, properties and operation of different apparatus for measurement of ionizing radiation, stochastic properties of radioactive decay and significance for measurement uncertainty, basic radiation dosimetry concepts and units, the MIRD method for internal dosimetry, radiobiology, principles and safety measures for radiation protection, relevant guidelines and legislation. 

Instructors: Mainly teachers from Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine.

Venue: Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, 8200 Aarhus N.

Participation in the course is without cost for:

• PhD students, Health Research Year students from Aarhus University
• PhD students enrolled at partner universities of the Nordoc collaboration
• PhD students from other institutions in the open market agreement for PhD courses

Course dates:

• 08 January 2027 09:45 - 15:00
• 22 January 2027 09:45 - 15:00
• 29 January 2027 09:45 - 15:00
• 05 February 2027 09:45 - 15:00
• 12 February 2027 09:45 - 15:00
• 26 February 2027 09:45 - 15:00
• 05 March 2027 09:45 - 15:00
• 12 March 2027 09:45 - 15:00
• 19 March 2027 09:45 - 15:00
• 02 April 2027 09:45 - 15:00
• 09 April 2027 09:45 - 15:00
• 16 April 2027 09:45 - 15:00
• 23 April 2027 09:45 - 15:00
• 30 April 2027 09:45 - 15:00
• 14 May 2027 10:00 - 14:00