Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Course

NMTT-1309-001 Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: SCIT 1320

Course Description

Theory and application of electronic instrumentation used in the direction and analysis of ionizing radiation with special emphasis on gamma spectrometry and quality assurance relevant to nuclear medicine instruments.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required: Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT: Technology and Techniques, 9th Edition, by: Paul E. Christian & Kristen Waterstram-Rich, ISBN # 9780323054102

Optional: Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation, 2nd Edition, by: Jennifer Prekeges, ISBN # 978-1-4496-5288-3

Supplies

No supplies available

Student Performance

WECM Course Description: Theory and application of electronic instrumentation used in the direction and analysis of ionizing radiation with special emphasis on gamma spectrometry and quality assurance relevant to nuclear medicine instruments.

WECM End-of-Course Outcomes: Describe the radioactive decay process and the interaction of ionizing radiation with matter and the operation of the electrical components of various radiation detection systems; relate the principles of operation of gas-filled detectors, scintillation detection systems, and liquid scintillation systems; determine a statistically accurate counting rate for a radiation detector; describe and differentiate the various imaging systems including scintillation cameras, multi-crystal cameras, and tomographic imaging systems; and discuss and apply the best quality control measures for continuous quality improvement.

Learning Outcomes/Course Objectives

The student will know the basic application of instrumentation used in the measurement and analysis of ionizing radiation with emphasis on gamma spectrometry and quality assurance used in nuclear medicine technology. The student will understand and successfully demonstrate the operation of various radiation detection systems used in nuclear medicine technology. 

As a result of this course, the student will be able to:

Describe the radioactive decay process and the interaction of ionizing radiation with matter and the operation of the electrical components of various radiation detection systems; relate the principles of operation of gas-filled detectors, scintillation detection systems, and liquid scintillation systems; determine a statistically accurate counting rate for a radiation detector; describe and differentiate the various imaging systems including scintillation cameras, multi-crystal cameras, and tomographic imaging systems; and discuss and apply the best quality control measures for continuous quality improvement.

1. Identify the function and application of all instruments utilized in general nuclear medicine, nuclear cardiology, therapeutic administration, positron emission tomography, and hybrid imaging.
2. Discuss the operation of gas-filled detectors.
3. Discuss the operation of scintillation detection systems.
4. Discuss the basic operation of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
5. Discuss/evaluate use of collimators.
6. Describe the makeup of radiation detection instruments.
7. Perform and maintain appropriate instrumentation quality control records to comply with regulatory requirements.
8. Describe and/or perform various instrument calibrations and quality control and quality assurance checks, to include counting statistics.
9. Determine the energy resolution on a scintillation detector.
10. Analyze quality control images to determine if scintillation camera is operating satisfactorily.
11. Assess performance of image recording equipment.
12. Discuss how to view, process and archive acquired data on picture archival communicating systems (PACS).            
13. Discuss radiology and hospital information systems, managing patient information in these systems according to facility policies, state and federal statues and accreditation standards.
14. Describe/Evaluate uses of medical informatics.

Alignment with the Master Educational Plan: 

NMTT-1309 is the study of basic radiation detectors, their applications, functions and limitations. This course will present an overview of the uses of both imaging and non- imaging detectors in the practice of Nuclear Medicine.

Learn the technical terminology, facts, theories, methods and principles associated with Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation

Identify the function and application of the following instruments:           

Dose calibrators         

GM survey meters   

NaI(TL) counting and/or uptake systems          

Imaging systems including:   

Planar  

SPECT   

PET       

CT component of hybrid imaging              

Fusion or hybrid imaging system (i.e. SPECT/CT, PET/CT, PET/MRI)            

Discuss how to perform the appropriate quality control for the instruments listed             

Discuss how to document performance and results of all quality control testing according to quality control program procedures    

Discuss how to analyze QC results and take appropriate corrective action(s) when necessary         

Discuss how to view, process and archive acquired data on picture archival communicating systems (PACS)              

Discuss radiology and hospital information systems, managing patient information in these systems according to facility policies, state and federal statues and accreditation standards

Describe/Evaluate uses of medical informatics.

Describe principles of radiation detection.

Describe theory of operation of radiation detector.

Evaluate considerations of counting and imaging equipment.

Describe theory of operation of radiation detector.

Describe construction and operation of gas-filled detectors.

Evaluate operation of scintillation devices and components within.

Describe spectrometry as seen with scintillation instruments.

Discuss/evaluate use of collimators.

Describe basics of computers and use in nuclear medicine.

Describe differences in analog and digital versions of images in nuclear medicine.

Evaluate proper use of Geiger-Mueller in radiation detection.

Evaluate quality control/assurance measures for gamma cameras, dose calibrators, well counter

Evaluate uniform/nonuniform images of gamma camera floods.

Describe/recognize purpose of center-of-rotation, daily floods, and high-count floods.

Investigate use of SPECT, QC, and quality control measures.

Describe principles of PET and CT imaging and artifacts.

Evaluate QC measures for PET and CT.

Differentiate between intrinsic/extrinsic testing.

Describe the pulse-height analyzer (PHA).

Describe spatial resolution and sensitivity.

Describe image formation, filtered-back projection, positioning logic.

Describe gain as it applies to high voltage applied to Gamma Camera and ion chamber detectors.

Describe and discuss how photographic images are produced in both analog and digital formats.

Recognize principles of dose calibrator constancy, accuracy, linearity, geometry.

Discuss use of phantoms for camera QC.

Describe how flood filled phantoms are filled, used and maintained.

Describe film-processor quality control if applicable.

Illustrate how pipets are used in laboratories and how precision is maintained.

Calculate acceptable ranges for dose calibrator.

Calculate dose calibrator geometry and percent error for syringes and volumes.

Calculate percent error for dose calibrator accuracy and constancy.

Calculate dose calibrator linearity of response and percent error.

Calculate and use correction factors for dose calibrator geometry and linearity.

Calculate energy resolution (FWHM).

Calculate Chi Square.

Calculate well counter efficiency.

Calculate window settings: u/l discriminators and center-line plus percent window.

Calculate camera sensitivity.

Calculate SPECT acquisition time and counts per projection.

Obtain desired flood/phantom fill activities.

Calculate total pixels by matrix size, pixel calibration, computer memory requirements.

Calculate pipette precision.

Explain the use of centrifuges and the related centrifugal force and time.

Calculate centrifugal force (g-force) given radius and rotating speed.

Calculate centrifuge: relative centrifugal force vs time.

Review units used to measure radioactivity and Radioactive doses

Course Process

The basic format for the course is scheduled interactive online lectures. The student will also complete assignments in demonstrating the correct operation of various instruments used in nuclear medicine. The student is expected to complete online assignments and quizzes, participate in class discussions, pop quizzes, presentation, and written exams. Attendance will also count towards 10% of the student’s grade. The course will follow the provided course schedule.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Online Classroom Environment

Mutual respect is foremost in this online classroom. Please make yourself at home within the online classroom, regarding your peers and instructors with utmost respect. Students should feel free to express ideas/thoughts without making others in the online classroom feel uncomfortable.

Professionalism

Nuclear Medicine Technology students represent the program, the profession, Amarillo College, and all clinical affiliates; therefore, students are expected to conduct themselves in a dignified manner which conforms to the ethics of the profession, and which instills confidence in their abilities. Any student who does not adhere to the scholastic and professional standards of the school and its clinical affiliates is subject to written warnings and possible dismissal. If the situation is based on unacceptable, intolerable, illegal, or unprofessional actions by a student which violate the clinical policies set forth in the Student Handbook, or which violate any local, state, or Federal laws, the student will not be allowed to re-enter the Program at any time in the future.

As a professional, you are expected to come to class, and to come prepared. You are expected to ready and thoughtfully study all assigned material and complete all assignments. Always be ready to discuss the assigned materials. Ask questions to clarify any parts of the material that you do not understand. You are expected to participate in class appropriately.

Academic Integrity

Each student is charged with the responsibility of maintaining scholastic integrity. When written assignments require excerpts from material published by others, the student must give full credit to the author to avoid the possibility of plagiarism.

Do your OWN work. If you use someone else’s ideas in your written work, please reference it accordingly. All students are expected to be academically honest. Every effort will be made to discourage any type of cheating. This includes, but is not limited to, printing exam questions from Blackboard; sharing data with other students about exams; copying tests, assignments, etc.; collaborating with another student during an exam or in preparing academic work; or otherwise practicing scholastic dishonesty. Awareness of academic dishonesty by a classmate is considered the equivalent of cheating unless it is reported.

NOTE: Copying and pasting Instructor notes to complete assignments is considered plagiarism. Copying each other’s assignments is cheating. Complete assignment in your own words while utilizing instructor notes.

Grading Criteria

Grading Scale

There will be no rounding of grades.

Evaluation Criteria

Exams 50%; Online Assignments/Quizzes 20%; Pop Quizzes 10%; Become An Expert Presentation 10%; Attendance 10%

Testing Make-Up Policy

Failure to attend class during a scheduled exam/quiz or complete an online quiz without notice or approval will result in a (0) zero. Make-up exams and quizzes can be in any format and must be made up within 24 hours (one school day). Pop quizzes may be given by the discretion of the instructor, if student has an unexcused absence that day, they will receive a (0) zero on the quiz. If a student misses a pop quiz and had a prior excused absence the student will be given 24 hours to make-up the quiz. Failure to complete the make-up pop quiz will result in a (0) zero. All make-up pop quizzes will be in written format.

NOTE:  Other arrangements may be made with instructor’s permission on a case-by-case basis.  It is the sole responsibility of the student to communicate the need for other options regarding make-up policies.

Mandatory Remediation

A passing grade for each exam is expected. If a student does not pass an exam, the student is assigned an "at risk score", prompting them to engage in mandatory remediation (review) for the exam that the student did not pass. Any grade below an 80 requires remediation. 

Late Work

Deadlines are absolute. Students may be required to complete assignments that may be part of a class or in addition to classwork. First missed assignment per course will result in a minimum penalty of a 50% off for that assignment. Second missed assignment per course will result in a (0) zero. A third missed assignment per course will lead to a letter grade. Exceptions to the rules may be made for extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the instructor.

Grading Reminders

1. There will be NO Rounding of grades
2. Students shall not discuss the exam contents to students who have not yet taken the exam, this is considered cheating.
3. If an assignment is not completed in time for a grade (by the due date), the student shall receive a zero, that is the grade unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. Regardless the assignment must still be completed and turned in and assessed (not for a grade, only feedback) in order to complete the course. If all assigned items are not completed it will result in an ‘F’ for the course and the student will have to repeat the course causing a delay in graduation. It is the student’s responsibility to check Blackboard every day and submit assignments by the due date.
4. No SMART WATCHES/PHONES/PAGERS/LAPTOPS/OTHER TECHNOLOGICAL DEVICES DURING ONLINE TESTING unless being used as a secondary device to record your screen.
   1. Cell phones/smart watches and other electronic devices are not allowed during online testing. Only the computer on which you are taking the exam, a calculator, a pen, or pencil, and one piece of scratch paper are allowed in your in-home testing area. Student must complete an environment scan including both sides of the paper at the beginning and end of the scan. No other humans may be in the testing area with you. You may not leave during an exam. Review program handbook.

NOTE on Plagiarism. Copying my notes word for word or the textbook is plagiarism, you must paraphrase it in your own words. Copying another student’s assignment, even if you worked together is cheating and plagiarism. Self-plagiarism is also considered cheating. If you are repeating this course, you may not turn in the same work from the course you failed. This is self-plagiarism and is not allowed. Self-plagiarism is grounds for removal from the class with a final grade of an F. The course cannot be repeated, so you are then removed from the program. To avoid self-plagiarism, all assignments in repeated courses must be handwritten if they were originally typed and typed if they were originally handwritten. Unless otherwise noted, all assignments are handwritten.

Extra Credit Policy

Please do not expect or question if extra credit will be given throughout the semester. Extra credit may be issued during rare instances, if at all.

Attendance

I expect you will: Be here…on time…every time…for the entire time.

I consider our class time to be a PRIORITY commitment. By agreeing to teach the course, I commit to being present for you. By registering for the program, you agree to be present, too. It is also important for students to login into class on time so activities will not be delayed or interrupted by late arrivals. Students are expected to attend ALL lectures. A record of attendance is kept by the for the duration of the course and represents 10% of your grade. There will be random attendance checks throughout the class time to ensure students are present and engaged. Failure to respond will result in an unexcused absence. Each student will start with 160 points representing the 16 mandatory sessions. For each unexcused absence 10 points will be deducted. Excused absences include illnesses or unforeseen circumstances and must be preapproved. Attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. It is the responsibility of the student to attend class so that learning objectives are met successfully.

Calendar

Additional Information

The course content is aligned with the Master Educational Plan of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program at Amarillo College. In addition, the lecture content aligns with the task analysis of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board and The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

The Nuclear Medicine Technology program at Amarillo College is fully accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Nuclear Medicine Technology.