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SIUC Graduate School
Application
Track 2 - Dosimetry
Application
Master of Science Degree Program in Medical Dosimetry
Track 2
Track 2 is designed for individuals who are currently Certified Medical Dosimetrists with a
Baccalaureate degree and want to pursue graduate education.
Mission The mission of the Medical Dosimetry Program offered by Southern
Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) is to provide a quality program integrating education, research
and service in order to meet the needs of the profession and improve health care of the people and
communities we serve.
Program Goals
- Provide didactic experiences that lead to research in educational, professional, or health
care issues relating to medical dosimetry.
- Provide avenues to students for professional development and growth within the profession.
- Provide avenues for students to develop and apply skills in effective communication, analytical
and critical thinking and problem-solving necessary for successful medical dosimetry practice.
- Provide a didactic environment which leads to the development managerial/educational skills
appropriate to a Medical Dosimetrist.
Program Description
The Medical Dosimetrist is a member of the Allied Health and Radiation Oncology Team.
Course material covers radiation physics, radiation protection, dose calculations, tumor localization,
external beam treatment planning, brachytherapy, quality assurance, medical imaging/anatomy, clinical
radiation oncology, and radiobiology. Special project assignments, written reports, and chapter reviews
are also part of the curriculum.
Accreditation:
The Medical Dosimetry Program is approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) and The
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
General Description of a Medical Dosimetrist
The Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD) is a member of the radiation oncology (cancer treatment) team
who has knowledge of the overall characteristics and clinical relevance of radiation oncology treatment
machines and equipment, is cognizant of procedures commonly used in brachytherapy (treatment with
radioactive sources at a close distance) and has the education and expertise necessary to generate
radiation dose distributions and dose calculations in collaboration with the Medical Physicist and Radiation
Oncologist.
Major Duties
Design a treatment plan by means of computer and/or manual computation that will deliver a prescribed
radiation dose and field placement technique in accordance with the Radiation Oncologist's prescription
to a defined tumor volume.
Consider dose-limiting structures in the design of treatment plans and document dose in accordance with
the Radiation Oncologist's prescription.
Coordinate treatment simulations and tumor localization on dedicated devices, including Computerized
Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) when
indicated, for radiation oncology treatment planning.
Supervise, perform, or assist in the planning of the fabrication of compensation filters, custom shields,
wedges, and other beam modifying devices.
Supervise, perform, or assist in the planning of the production of moulds, casts, and other immobilization
devices.
Supervise therapy staff in the implementation of the treatment plan including: the correct use of immobilization
devices, compensators, wedges, field arrangement, and other treatment variables.
Perform calculations for the accurate delivery of the Radiation Oncologist's prescribed dose, document all
pertinent information in the patient record, and verify the mathematical accuracy of all calculations using a
system established by the Medical Physicist.
Provide physics and technical support to the Medical Physicist, in radiation protection, qualitative machine
calibrations, and quality assurance of the radiation oncology equipment.
Supervise, perform, or assist in the application of specific methods of dosimetry including ion chamber, TLD,
or film measurement as directed by the Medical Physicist.
Assist in intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy procedures and in the subsequent manual and/or computer
calculation of the dose distributions of these treatments.
Teach applied aspects of medical dosimetry to students and residents, as assigned.
Participate in clinical research for the development and implementation of new techniques.
Participate in continuing education in the area of current treatment planning techniques, and advances in medical
dosimetry.
Source: www.medicaldosimetry.org
Eligibility for the Master of Science Program in Medical Dosimetry Track 2
Applicants must be a Certified Medical Dosimetrist and be current with the Medical Dosimetry
Certification Board (MDCB). These individuals must also have a have a baccalaureate degree
from an accredited university. The baccalaureate degree and academic performance must meet
the entrance requirements set forth by the Graduate School at SIUC.
Individuals that have been approved by the MDCB to take their exam may apply to the program but
CMD verification must be documented before any classes may be taken.
Number of Students
There is no limit to the number of students accepted for Track 2.
Application
Continuous enrollment is allowed for Track 2. This means you may start the program with any semester
but applications must be received 6 weeks prior to starting. Two separate applications are required:
One for the program and one for the Graduate School.
For more information about admission policies, transfer credit, tuition and fees, refund policies, academic
calendars, academic policies, graduation requirements, and student services please review the Graduate
Catalog at: www.siu.edu/gradschl/catalog.htm.
Class Location
Track 2 is offered on campus and via distance learning.
Expenses
Tuition: $400 per credit hour.
Textbooks: Approximately $500 - $600
Living Expenses: Students must find housing on their own. This can vary greatly.
A Computer, Scanner, and High Speed Internet will be required. Computer and bandwidth specifications
will be shared once enrolled.
Graduate School Application
MEDICAL
DOSIMETRY
MASTER OF SCIENCE PROGRAM
COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND ARTS |
Curriculum
The total curriculum consists of 30 semester hours. Students may enroll full or part time for this program.
For individuals employed full time, part time enrollment is recommended.
Fall Semester
RAD 511-3 Fundamentals of Health Care Systems - This course provides a multi-disciplinary analysis
and is designed to provide students with information pertaining to the issues surrounding access to care,
medical technology, and the complex financial structure of the health care system. Students will extensively
examine aspects of the complex health care system such as managed care, Medicare, Medicaid,
pharmaceuticals, health promotion and disease prevention, and the quality of care.
RAD 516-3 Cultural Foundations and Theories of Education - This seminar provides a multi-disciplinary
examination of the historical, social, economic and psychological foundations of allied health education
with particular emphasis given to the nature and role of education and training in preparing people for the
field of medical education. The primary objectives of this seminar will be to allow the student to explore
the nature and theories of education, the behavioral aspects of education including the assumptions and
practices which underlie education, and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of various educational practices.
RAD 520-3 The Physics of Medical Dosimetry I - This course covers the following topics: Radiologic Physics,
production of x-rays, radiation treatment and simulation machines, interactions of ionizing radiation, radiation
measurements, dose calculations, computerized treatment planning, dose calculation algorithms, electron beam
characteristics, and brachytherapy physics and procedures. This course is twenty weeks in length. Prerequisite:
Admission to the Medical Dosimetry Program.
RAD 525-3 Seminars in Medical Dosimetry I - This course consists of various seminars/literature reviews
associated with radiation oncology. Topics include treatment techniques for various cancers, technological
advances in cancer treatment, cancer treatment trends, and the role of a medical dosimetrist. This course
is twenty weeks in length. Prerequisite: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry Program.
Spring Semester
RAD 531-3 Human Resource Management in Health Care - This course carefully examines and describes
how the key human resource functions play a significant role in the health care environment. It focuses heavily
on how each particular human resource function supports management initiatives. With a strategic focus, this
course methodically scrutinizes how human resource functions such as employee selection, development,
motivation, and appraisal can impact a health care organization’s ongoing business continuity. It also thoroughly
examines how health care employees, managers, and administrators must operate within the dynamic legal
environment of human resources.
RAD 536-3 Introduction to Administration and Supervision in Allied Health - This course provides students with
an in-depth examination of the nature, function, and techniques of administration and supervision in medical imaging
departments. This is accomplished through a series of case analyses and practice simulations of human problems
in the healthcare organization and application of findings of behavioral science research to healthcare problems.
Particular emphasis will be placed on the development of direction and leadership skills.
RAD 540-3 The Physics of Medical Dosimetry II – This course covers the following topics: imaging for radiation
oncology, IMRT, stereotactic radiosurgery, special procedures, particle therapy, hyperthermia, and radiation safety.
This course is twenty weeks in length. Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in RAD 520.
RAD 545-3 Seminar in Medical Dosimetry II - This course consists of various seminars/literature reviews associated
with radiation oncology. Topics include treatment techniques for various cancers, technological advances in cancer
treatment, cancer treatment trends, and the role of a medical dosimetrist. Prerequisite: This course is twenty weeks
in length. Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in RAD 525.
Summer Semester
RAD 551-3 Legal and Ethical Fundamentals of Health Care - This course provides students with an in-depth analysis
of the legal and ethical environment of the health care industry. Comprehensive and focused on the health care
environment, the course closely examines the judicial process specifically pertaining to torts, contracts, antitrust,
corporate compliance, access to care, negligence, and professional liability. The nature of ethics in the multi-cultural
health care environment is extensively examined with an analysis of the varying moral problems the health care industry
is challenged with.
RAD 556-3 Individual Research in Medical Dosimetry – This course requires students to complete a research project
in the field of Medical Dosimetry. Each project will have a written paper as a final product and this paper will be
submitted for publication in one of the professional journals within the field of Radiation Oncology.
RAD 565-1 to 6 Independent Study - Directed independent study in select areas of medical dosimetry. Prerequisite:
Consent of Program Director.
Click here for Suggested Course Sequence
Program Director Contact Information
Scott Collins, MS.Ed, R.T.(R)(T), CMD
Medical Dosimetry Program Director
School of Allied Health, MC 6615
College of Applied Sciences and Arts
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois 62901
Office: 618-453-8800
Fax: 618-453-7020
Disclaimer
Content of the program materials is subject to change without notice.
Dosimetry Track 2
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