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Life, Health and Radiation

Mark McEntee and Ernest Ekpo

4.9

Based on 364 ratings

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Mark McEntee and Ernest Ekpo

Radiation is all around us - without it we wouldn’t exist. Yet the word has become synonymous with danger, death and disaster.

This MOOC will allow the world to see radiation in a new light, to expose its benefits as well as its risks. X-ray radiation, for example, is a scientific and medical discovery that has improved or prolonged billions of lives. Most of us have had an X-ray at some point in our life, at the Dentist, in a hospital or clinic. Yet few people really understand what X-rays are or where they come from.

Radiation is all around us - without it we wouldn’t exist. Yet the word has become synonymous with danger, death and disaster.

In this course, we will travel along the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation from unimaginably long to infinitesimally small wavelengths. At each significant point along the way we will stop and consider:

What is the wavelength and frequency of this radiation?

Is it ionising or not?

Who discovered it and how?

What are the uses of this radiation and

What are the risks associated with it?

Through this we hope to clarify a topic that is often confusing and concerning for many.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Atomic interactions

Welcome to the MOOC! This week, we will drill down and examine the world of atoms. By first understanding the structure of atoms, we can then look at how radiation interacts with them. In this module, we will also unpack the two kinds of radiation: particulate and electromagnetic. We will then take our first glimpse at the electromagnetic spectrum.

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Teaches the science behind radiation, a topic that is often confusing and concerning for many

Develops an understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum and its various applications

Explores ionizing radiation and its uses in medical imaging and cancer treatment, making it relevant to healthcare professionals and those interested in medical science

Covers the history and discoveries of various types of radiation, providing historical context and insights into scientific advancements

Examines both the benefits and risks of radiation, providing a comprehensive understanding of its impact

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Reviews summary

Understand radiation in life and health

According to learners, this course offers a highly accessible and clear introduction to radiation, successfully demystifying a potentially confusing and intimidating topic. Students particularly value how the course connects the science to everyday life and critical applications in health and medicine, such as X-rays. The explanations are easy to follow, making complex concepts graspable even for those without a strong science background. Many found it provided a solid foundational understanding. While some with prior knowledge noted it might be basic at times, the general consensus highlights its effectiveness in explaining radiation concepts and their real-world significance.

Ideal for learners with limited science background.

"As someone with no physics background, I found this course perfectly pitched."

"If you already know a lot about physics, some early parts might be a bit slow."

"I felt the course provided a great starting point for understanding radiation basics."

Provides a good base for understanding radiation science.

"I gained a solid foundation in understanding different types of radiation and their properties."

"This course gave me the fundamental knowledge I needed to understand the basics of radiation."

"It covers the essentials needed to appreciate radiation's role in the world."

Connects radiation concepts to health and medicine.

"The module on radiation in health was particularly useful for my interest in medical fields."

"Learning about X-rays and medical imaging applications was fascinating and relevant."

"I appreciated the focus on how radiation impacts our bodies and how we use it in treatments."

Helps make the topic of radiation less intimidating.

"This course really helped me understand radiation without feeling overwhelmed or scared."

"It changed my perspective on radiation, showing its benefits and not just the dangers."

"I feel much more comfortable discussing radiation after taking this course; the myths were dispelled."

Complex radiation concepts are made easy to understand.

"The way concepts were explained made complex topics easy to grasp."

"Everything was broken down logically, making it simple to follow along."

"I really appreciated the clear explanations provided throughout the lectures."

"The course does an excellent job of clarifying confusing topics like ionization."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Life, Health and Radiation with these activities:

Brush up on basic physics concepts

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Reviewing basic physics concepts will strengthen your foundation for understanding radiation principles.

Browse courses on Physics

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Review concepts such as energy, waves, and particles.
Read textbooks or articles on introductory physics.
Take practice quizzes or online assessments to test your understanding.

Review the electromagnetic spectrum

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Recalling your knowledge of the electromagnetic spectrum will provide a foundation for understanding the different types of radiation covered in the course.

Browse courses on Electromagnetic Spectrum

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Draw a diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Review the properties and applications of different regions of the spectrum, such as visible light, microwaves, and X-rays.
Read articles or watch videos that explain the electromagnetic spectrum in more detail.

Review 'Radiation: A Very Short Introduction' by Michael F. L'Annunziata

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the history, science, and applications of radiation, setting the stage for further exploration in the course.

View Handbook of Radioactivity Analysis: Volume 2:... on Amazon

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Read the introduction and Chapter 1 to gain a broad understanding of what radiation is.
Read Chapter 2 to learn about the historical milestones in the study and application of radiation.
Read Chapter 4 to explore the major uses of radiation in medicine, including X-rays, radiotherapy, and nuclear medicine.

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Create a timeline of major discoveries and applications of radiation

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By creating a timeline, you will visualize the evolution of our understanding and use of radiation, solidifying your grasp of its history.

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Research the key milestones in the history of radiation.
Construct a visual timeline, using a presentation tool or online application, to plot these milestones.
Include brief descriptions of each milestone, highlighting its significance.

Explore the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) website

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Engaging with the NCRP's resources will deepen your understanding of radiation safety guidelines and best practices.

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Visit the NCRP website and browse their collection of publications.
Select a publication relevant to the course topics, such as 'Radiation Protection and Safety in the Health Sciences' or 'Ionizing Radiation Exposure of the Population'.
Review the publication and take notes on the key recommendations and guidelines.

Attend a virtual study session with classmates

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Discussing the course material with peers will reinforce your understanding, provide new perspectives, and foster a collaborative learning environment.

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Schedule a time with classmates to meet on a video conferencing platform.
Choose a specific topic or module from the course to focus on.
Share your notes, insights, and questions with the group.

Complete practice problems on radiation dosage and exposure calculations

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Solving practice problems will enhance your ability to apply the concepts learned in the course to real-world scenarios.

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Find practice problems online or in textbooks.
Set aside time to solve the problems, using the course materials as references.
Check your answers against provided solutions or consult with the instructors.

Create a comprehensive study guide

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Consolidating your notes, assignments, and resources into a study guide will provide a valuable tool for review and retention.

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Gather your notes, assignments, and any other relevant materials from the course.
Organize the materials by topic or module.
Summarize key concepts, definitions, and formulas.

Career center

Learners who complete Life, Health and Radiation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Radiation Physicist

Radiation Physicists work with medical equipment to treat diseases such as cancer. They also develop methods to safeguard individuals from radiation exposure and prevent unnecessary damage. This course will help you understand the principles of radiation and its applications, which could be useful in the field of Radiation Physics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Radiation Physicist

Medical Physicist

Medical Physicists apply physics principles to medicine and healthcare. They work with radiation and medical imaging technologies such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. This course may be useful for learning about the history of radiation, the risks associated with it, and how medical imaging uses radiation. This knowledge could help build a foundation for a career as a Medical Physicist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Physicist

Radiologist

Radiologists diagnose and treat diseases using medical imaging. This course would be useful for learning about the history of radiation and the risks associated with it. This knowledge could prove helpful to Radiologists, who use radiation in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Radiologist

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nuclear Medicine Technologists use radioactive substances to help diagnose and treat diseases, such as cancer. This course may be useful for learning about the history of radiation and the risks associated with it. This knowledge could also help build a foundation for a career as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Health Physicist

Health Physicists protect people from radiation hazards. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nuclear power plants, and research laboratories. This course would be useful for learning about the history of radiation and the risks associated with it. This knowledge could help build a foundation for a career as a Health Physicist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Physicist

Radiation Therapist

Radiation Therapists use radiation to treat diseases such as cancer. This course would be useful for learning about the history of radiation and the risks associated with it. This knowledge could prove helpful for Radiation Therapists who use radiation in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Radiation Therapist

Medical Dosimetrist

Medical Dosimetrists calculate the amount of radiation that should be delivered to a patient during radiation therapy. This course may be useful for learning about the history of radiation and the risks associated with it. This knowledge could prove helpful for Medical Dosimetrists, who use radiation in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Dosimetrist

Radiation Protection Officer

Radiation Protection Officers develop and implement radiation safety programs. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nuclear power plants, and research laboratories. This course would be useful for learning about the history of radiation and the risks associated with it. This knowledge could help build a foundation for a career as a Radiation Protection Officer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Radiation Protection Officer

Radiographer

Radiographers use X-rays and other imaging techniques to diagnose and treat diseases. This course may be useful for learning about the history of radiation and the risks associated with it. This knowledge could prove helpful for Radiographers, who use radiation in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Radiographer

Sonographer

Sonographers use ultrasound to diagnose and treat medical conditions. This course will help you understand the principles of radiation and its applications, which could be useful for learning about a different type of medical imaging technology and its applications. Sonographers must understand the risks and benefits of radiation in order to provide safe and effective care to patients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sonographer

Nuclear Medicine Physician

Nuclear Medicine Physicians use radioactive substances to diagnose and treat diseases. This course may be useful for learning about the history of radiation and the risks associated with it. This knowledge could prove helpful for Nuclear Medicine Physicians, who use radiation in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nuclear Medicine Physician

Radiation Safety Officer

Radiation Safety Officers develop and implement radiation safety programs. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nuclear power plants, and research laboratories. This course may be useful for learning about the history of radiation and the risks associated with it. This knowledge could help build a foundation for a career as a Radiation Safety Officer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Radiation Safety Officer

MRI Technologist

MRI Technologists use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose and treat medical conditions. This course may be useful for learning about the history of radiation and the risks associated with it. This knowledge could prove helpful for MRI Technologists, who use radiation in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for MRI Technologist

Diagnostic Radiologist

Diagnostic Radiologists use X-rays and other imaging techniques to diagnose and treat diseases. This course may be useful for learning about the history of radiation and the risks associated with it. This knowledge could prove helpful for Diagnostic Radiologists, who use radiation in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Diagnostic Radiologist

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Life, Health and Radiation.

Radiobiology for the Radiologist

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This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of radiobiology, the study of the effects of radiation on living cells and tissues, which is essential for understanding the biological effects of radiation and for developing effective radiation therapies.

Life, Health and Radiation

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Understand radiation in life and health

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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