Course coordinator
Dr James Humphries
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- External
- Attendance mode
- Online
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Mathematics & Physics School
This unit of study explores the principles and methods that underpin two key molecular imaging techniques based on the radioactive tracer principle: single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). Topics covered include the radioactive tracer principle, radioisotope production and decay, radiation transport in tissue, radiation detection, PET and SPECT instrumentation, tomographic reconstruction and an introduction to tracer kinetic modelling. On completion of this unit, students will have a thorough understanding of the imaging chain as it relates to PET and SPECT, starting with the emission of radiation in the body, leading to its external detection and, finally, a reconstructed image of the radioactive tracer distribution in the body. The factors affecting the accuracy and noise properties of molecular images will be explored. Students will also have an appreciation of how to use these imaging technologies to exploit the properties of the radioactive tracer principle and make estimates of important physiological parameters.
This unit of study explores the principles and methods that underpin two key molecular imaging techniques based on the radioactive tracer principle: single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). Topics covered include the radioactive tracer principle, radioisotope production and decay, radiation transport in tissue, radiation detection, PET and SPECT instrumentation, tomographic reconstruction and an introduction to tracer kinetic modelling. On completion of this unit, students will have a thorough understanding of the imaging chain as it relates to PET and SPECT, starting with the emission of radiation in the body, leading to its external detection and, finally, a reconstructed image of the radioactive tracer distribution in the body. The factors affecting the accuracy and noise properties of molecular images will be explored. Students will also have an appreciation of how to use these imaging technologies to exploit the properties of the radioactive tracer principle and make estimates of important physiological parameters.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
MOLI7101
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
MRES7100
Restrictions
Restricted to MBiotech and MMIT students.
Jointly taught details
This course is jointly-taught with:
- Another instance of the same course
MOLI7109 external mode
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr James Humphries
Miss Chrystal Douflias
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
All tutorials ﾠare ﾠrecorded and posted onto Blackboard.
Aims and outcomes
This course teaches the principles and methods that underpin two key molecular imaging techniques based on the radioactive tracer principle: single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). Topics covered include the radioactive tracer principle, radioisotope production and decay, radiation transport in tissue, radiation detection, PET and SPECT instrumentation, tomographic reconstruction and an introduction to tracer kinetic modelling. On completion of this course, students will have a thorough understanding of the imaging chain as it relates to PET and SPECT, starting with the emission of radiation in the body, leading to its external detection and, finally, a reconstructed image of the radioactive tracer distribution in the human body.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Explain to your peers the processes involved in the imaging chain as it relates to PET and SPECT, i.e. how radiation emitted from the body is detected externally and used to form a reconstructed image of the tracer distribution in the body.
LO2.
Synthesise your knowledge of the tracer principle and molecular imaging technologies to explain how important physiological parameters are estimated.
LO3.
Lead a discussion on the factors affecting the accuracy and noise properties of molecular images.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Online Quiz
|
30% This assessment item is weighted at 10% per quiz, with three quizzes available to complete. |
Task is due by 17:00 28/03/2025 Week 5 Mon - Week 5 Fri Task is due by 17:00 09/05/2025 Week 10 Mon - Week 10 Fri Task is due by 17:00 30/05/2025 Week 13 Mon - Week 13 Fri
Due 5:00 pm on the Friday of Week 5 (28/03/2025), Week 10 (09/05/2025), and Week 13 (30/05/2025). |
| Presentation |
Presentation
|
20% |
16/05/2025 5:00 pm
Due Friday week 11 |
| Examination |
Examination
|
50% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Online Quiz
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 30% This assessment item is weighted at 10% per quiz, with three quizzes available to complete.
- Due date
Task is due by 17:00 28/03/2025 Week 5 Mon - Week 5 Fri
Task is due by 17:00 09/05/2025 Week 10 Mon - Week 10 Fri
Task is due by 17:00 30/05/2025 Week 13 Mon - Week 13 Fri
Due 5:00 pm on the Friday of Week 5 (28/03/2025), Week 10 (09/05/2025), and Week 13 (30/05/2025).
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
In these quizzes concepts covered in Module 1, 2, and 3 will be assessed. The online quizzes will be held upon completion of each respective module.
Submission guidelines
Submission will be completed via an online quiz available on blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Answers will be released and discussed in the following tutorial.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
There is a penalty of 1 grade per day for late submissions.
Presentation
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
16/05/2025 5:00 pm
Due Friday week 11
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Each students will be provided a topic from Module 1 or 2. The aim of this exercise is to engage students with concepts beyond what is covered in class and relate concepts to applications. Each student will be required to make a presentation and submit it on-line.
Submission guidelines
Submission of this assessment item will take place online via blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for extension/deferral information relating to this assessment item.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
There is a penalty of 1 grade per day for late submission of this assessment item.
Examination
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
The final exam will be an in-person, paper-based exam. UQ Examinations will contact students directly to confirm arrangements, the student will either sit the exam at the St Lucia campus (lives within 200km radius of the campus) or will be directed to nominate an exam centre by a certain date.
Please ensure you update your semester address in Si-net at the start of the semester.
One reminder will be sent and students who fail to nominate an exam centre and will be automatically assigned to the St Lucia campus. Late nominations will not be accepted.
A list of examination centres is listed here, but note that Exam centre availability is subject to change at short notice.
Students enrolled internally, please refer to the course profile for Internal students for in-person examination arrangements.
The examination is an open-book, centrally timetabled, invigilated exam on-site at UQ. Any written or printed material is permitted, any calculator permitted. You will have 10 minutes of planning time followed by 2 hours to complete the exam. You will be advised of the date and time in which to complete the examination once the examination timetable has been determined. Note that late penalties will be strictly applied as per university policy.
All modules and all topics are examinable.
Hurdle requirements
Students must score ≥45% on the final exam to pass the course.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | Any calculator permitted |
| Open/closed book | Open Book examination |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for extension/deferral information relating to this assessment item.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates very limited knowledge of the clinical molecular imaging modalities and their applications. Shows very limited understanding of the basic concepts of the course. This includes attempts at answering some questions but demonstrates limited understanding of the key concepts. The minimum percentage required: 0% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates limited understanding of the clinical molecular imaging modalities and their applications. Demonstrates limited knowledge of the techniques to solve problems. This includes attempts at expressing their deductions and explanations and attempts to answer a few questions accurately. The minimum percentage required: 20% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Demonstrates superficial understanding of the clinical molecular imaging modalities and their applications. Shows inappropriate knowledge of the rationale for using clinical molecular imaging modalities for different clinical cases. Demonstrates lack of clarity in communicating information relating to the field of clinical molecular imaging. The minimum percentage required: 45% |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates an understanding of the characteristics of clinical molecular imaging modalities and their possible applications. Demonstrates a knowledge of the rationale ﾠfor using appropriate clinical molecular imaging modalities applied to different clinical cases. The minimum percentage required: 50% |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates a good understanding of the characteristics of clinical molecular imaging modalities and their possible applications, and can assess with some directions whether a specific clinical molecular imaging modality is to be used in specific clinical cases. The minimum percentage required: 65% |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of clinical molecular imaging modalities and their possible applications, and can assess with limited directions whether a specific clinical molecular imaging modality is to be used in specific clinical cases. The minimum percentage required: 75% |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates an excellent understanding of the characteristics of clinical molecular imaging modalities and their possible applications, and can independently assess with whether a specific clinical molecular imaging modality is to be used in specific clinical cases. The minimum percentage required: 85% |
Additional course grading information
Students are required to achieve a mark of 45% in the final exam, and an overall mark of 50% to pass the course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.
Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.
If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.
Supplementary assessment in this course will be a 2-hour examination similar in style to the end-of-semester examination. To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Artificial Intelligence
Assessment tasks in this course evaluate students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates
Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ – applying for an extension. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with extension requests, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons, may be found at my.UQ.
Please note:
- Requests for an extension to an assessment due date must be submitted through your my.UQ portal and you must provide documentation of your circumstances, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed. Your application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time.
- Applications for extension can take time to be processed so you should continue to work on your assessment item while awaiting a decision. We recommend that you submit any completed work by the due date, and this will be marked if your application is not approved. Should your application be approved, then you will be able to resubmit by the agreed revised due date.
- If an extension is approved, you will be notified via your my.UQ portal and the new date and time for submission provided. It is important that you check the revised date as it may differ from the date that you requested.
- If the basis of the application is a medical condition, applications should be accompanied by a medical certificate dated prior to the assignment due date. If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a written statement (Word document) outlining why you cannot provide the documentation. You must then upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
- If an extension is being sought on the basis of exceptional circumstances, it must be accompanied by supporting documentation (eg. Statutory declaration).
- For extensions based on a SAP you may be granted a maximum of 7 days (if no earlier maximum date applies). See the Extension or Deferral availability section of each assessment for details. Your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, additional extension requests for the assessment item will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
- Students may be asked to submit evidence of work completed to date. Lack of adequate progress on your assessment item may result in an extension being denied.
- If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 14 days, you are advised to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty - seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
- There are no provisions for exemption from an assessment item within UQ rules. If you are unable to submit an assessment piece then, under special circumstances, you may be granted an exemption, but may be required to submit alternative assessment to ensure all learning outcomes are met.
Applications to defer an exam
In certain circumstances you can apply to take a deferred examination for in-semester and end-of-semester exams. You'll need to demonstrate through supporting documentation how unavoidable circumstances prevented you from sitting your exam. If you can’t, you can apply for a one-off discretionary deferred exam.
Deferred Exam requests are submitted online via mySi-net. Requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with deferred examinations, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons may be found at my.UQ.
Please note:
- Applications can be submitted no later than 5 calendar days after the date of the original exam.
- There are no provisions to defer a deferred exam. You need to be available to sit your deferred examination.
- Your deferred examination request(s) must have a status of "submitted" in mySI-net to be assessed.
- All applications for deferred in-semester examinations are assessed by the relevant school. Applications for deferred end-of-semester examinations are assessed by the Academic Services Division.
- You’ll receive an email to your student email account when the status of your application is updated.
- If you have a medical condition, mental health condition or disability and require alternative arrangements for your deferred exam you’ll need to complete the online alternative exam arrangements through my.UQ. This is in addition to your deferred examinations request. You need to submit this request on the same day as your request for a deferred exam or supplementary assessment. Contact Student Services if you need assistance completing your alternative exam arrangements request.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Lecture |
Module 1: Radiation Detection This module contains four sub topics: Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Module 2: SPECT and PET This module contains four sub-topics: Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Tutorial |
Module 3: Quantitative Methods This module contains three sub-ﾭtopics: Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.