Course Overview
This course covers the foundational physics and instrumentation concepts used in nuclear imaging with a gamma camera, including: The design and operation principles of scintillator-based radiation detectors, building on the relevant radiation physics from PHYS 1120. The overall design, components, and operation of a gamma camera, including how the design and operation are related to clinical imaging protocols, differences in camera performance, quality control, and image quality. Analysis of how the camera detects radiation, how planar images are produced, and how these are related to the properties and potential artifacts in human imaging. Evaluation of image quality, including the connections to clinical imaging protocols. Measurement and evaluation of gamma camera performance, including uniformity and spatial resolution and how they relate to the needs of routine quality control. Throughout this course, aspects of physics and instrumentation are given in the context of how to achieve optimal quality of diagnostic information in clinical nuclear medicine imaging. Students will use their foundational knowledge of nuclear medicine instrumentation as a basis for understanding new scientific and technical information to promote continued and life-long learning. The course labs support the course materials by providing hands-on experience in operating and troubleshooting nuclear instrumentation to perform relevant tasks and explorations.
Prerequisite(s)
- 65% in PHYS 1120
Credits
6.5
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain the design and function of scintillator-based radiation detectors.
- Apply knowledge of the function and design of scintillator-based radiation detectors to the clinical use of well-counters, uptake probes, and gamma cameras.
- Describe and compare current gamma camera technologies.
- Relate gamma camera technologies to performance and limitations.
- Explain how changes in gamma camera components and system performance impact detector calibration and quality-control test results.
- Perform gamma camera calibrations and routine planar quality-control tests.
- Explain the relationship between detector count rates and activity using principles of radiation detector physics.
- Explain how the physics of image acquisition and clinical acquisition parameters impact image quality.
- Define image characteristics using principles of radiation physics and gamma camera detector design.
- Evaluate image quality in terms of contrast, spatial resolution, noise, and artifacts.
- Evaluate quantitative performance of gamma cameras in relation to quality control and equipment specifications.
- Perform and interpret measurements using nuclear instrumentation, including a gamma camera.
- Describe common post-acquisition image-processing and display techniques. (NM.3.2, NM.8.1, NM.8.3)
Effective as of Winter 2026
Related Programs
Physics for Nuclear Medicine and Lab 2 (PHYS 2120) is offered as a part of the following programs:
School of Health Sciences
- Nuclear Medicine
Diploma Full-time
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