12:40pm- 2:20pm Mondays
This course covers concepts involved with digital X-ray equipment operation and quality assurance. It includes image acquisition, digital imaging characteristics, and technical evaluation. Focus is placed on the correlation between X-ray exposure and the effect on image quality. The properties of image receptor exposure, contrast, detail and distortion are analyzed extensively with emphasis on the factors that control and influence them (mAs, SID, OID, kVp). Other topics include: collimation, filtration, and grid usage. Students will gain a better understanding of exposure factor formulation by performing experiments in the energized lab utilizing anthropomorphic phantoms.
XRAY 1033, XRAY 1212, and XRAY 1316 - Must be completed prior to taking this course. XRAY 1053, XRAY 1232, and XRAY 1326 - Must be taken at the same time as this course.
General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:
- Responsibility
This course covers concepts involved with digital x-ray equipment operation and quality assurance. It includes image acquisition, digital imaging characteristics, and technical evaluation. Focus is placed on the correlation between x-ray exposure and the effect on image quality. The properties of image receptor exposure, contrast, spatial resolution, and distortion are analyzed extensively with emphasis on the factors that control and influence them (mAs, SID, OID, kVp). Other topics include collimation, filtration, and grid usage. Students will gain a better understanding of exposure factor formulation by performing experiments in the energized lab utilizing anthropomorphic phantoms.
Faculty Contact Information
Student Support Hours in M126: Monday: 8:00a.m.-9:00a.m.
Student Support Hours at Various Clinical Sites: Friday: 12:00p.m.-1:00p.m.
By appt: Tuesday & Thursday: 8:00a.m.-9:00 a.m. and 11:30a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Faculty student support hours are for YOU. Your instructor’s sole purpose during student support hours is to be available to you to help you with questions, course related problems, or just to chat. Taking advantage of this one-on-one time with your instructors is highly recommended, and it is a great way to help ensure your academic success. Outside of the office hours, your instructor will also be available to you for individual conferencing by appointment either in a virtual environment, via e-mail, or by phone. You can email your instructor to set up an appointment.
Mrs. Rebecca Sherry M.Ed., MOT, DAE, R.T. (R)(ARRT)
Program Director / Professor
M126
815-802-8830
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Discuss practical considerations in setting standards for acceptable image quality.
- Summarize the relationship of factors affecting scattered and secondary radiation.
- Evaluate the effects of scattered radiation on the image.
- Compare grid types.
- Interpret grid efficiency in terms of grid ratio and frequency.
- Summarize the factors that influence grid cutoff.
- Evaluate grid artifacts.
- Explain the use of standardized radiographic technique charts.
- Explain exposure factor considerations involved in selecting techniques.
- Compare fixed kilovoltage peak (kVp) and variable kVp systems.
- Apply conversion factors for changes in the following areas: distance, grid, image receptors, reciprocity law and 15 percent rule.
- Analyze the relationships of factors that control and affect image exposure.
- Define terminology associated with digital imaging systems.
- Describe the various types of digital receptors.
- Describe the response of digital detectors to exposure variations.
- Compare the advantages and limits of each receptor type.
- Evaluate the spatial resolution and dose effectiveness for digital radiography detectors.
- Describe the histogram and the process or histogram analysis as it relates to automatic rescaling and determining an exposure indicator.
- Describe the response of PSP systems to background and scatter radiation.
- Identify common limitations and technical problems encountered when using PSP systems
- Associate impact of image processing parameters to the image appearance.
- Describe the conditions that cause quantum mottle in a digital image.
- Analyze the relationship of factors that control and affect radiographic contrast.
- Formulate a procedure or process to minimize histogram analysis and rescaling errors.
- Examine the potential impact of digital radiographic systems on patient exposure and methods of practicing the as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) concept with digital systems
- Analyze the relationships of factors that control and affect spatial resolution.
- Differentiate between size and shape distortion.
- Summarize the relationship of factors that control and affect distortion.
- Explain the rationale for using beam-limiting devices.
- Describe the operation and applications for different types of beam-limiting devices.
- Explain how beam filtration affects x-ray beam intensity, beam quality and resultant patient exposure.
- Introduction to Radiographic Quality
- Digital Imaging
- Image Receptors
- Artifacts
- Spatial Resolution
- Distortio
- Image Receptor Exposure
- Image Receptor Exposure Lab Experiments
- Contrast
- Contrast Lab Experiments
- Beam Restrictions
- Grids
- Exposure Technique Selection
- Exposure Technique Factors
Fauber, Terri L, Radiographic Imaging and Exposure; Elsevier Mosby, 7th ed.
Johnston, James N. and Terri L. Fauber; Essentials of Radiographic Physics and Imaging; Elsevier Mosby,3rd ed.
Additional Resources
Martensen, Kathy McQuillen; Radiographic Image Analysis: Elsevier Mosby
Carroll, Quinn B., and Dennis Bowman: Adaptive Radiography with Trauma, Image Critique, and Critical Thinking: Delmar Cengage Learning, USA
Methods of evaluation will be experiments, Canvas quizzes / examinations, various homework assignments, and a final exam. Course grades will be determined on a standard grade system and each question will be given point status.
**Note: Once an exam is submitted electronically, answers cannot be changed or added. If a student inadvertently does not finish an exam, once the exam is submitted electronically those questions cannot be completed.
The following are expectations of all Radiography students to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress:
- Earn an average score of 75% or better on ALL written exams in the course before other graded activities are averaged into the course grade. In the event a student does not have an average exam score of 75% or better but achieves a 75% or better on a cumulative course final, this will be considered satisfactory for the written exam/test criteria so long as the student still meets the expectation of earning a minimum grade of “C” for the course when all grades are averaged together. A student who does not achieve an average score of 75% or better on all written exams or who does not achieve a score of 75% or better on a cumulative course final with the overall course grade of a “C” or better will receive the grade determined by the average of all written exam scores.
- If a student earns an average exam score of 75% or higher but then fails the cumulative course final, the overall exam score average (unit examinations and final examination) must be a 75% or higher for the homework graded activities to be averaged into the final grade.
- Once the above criterion has been met, all other graded activities will be averaged into the student’s final grade.
- Homework assignments are NOT optional. The faculty believes there is validity and merit to all assignments given to the student. ALL assignments will be given a point value and MUST be completed by the student. If the student fails to complete an assignment it will be recorded as a zero and will affect the student’s final average for the course.
A student’s final grade in a course may be reduced due to attendance, tardiness, or participation problems. In addition, a grade may be reduced due to failure to meet expectations related to course work. A student should communicate with the instructor about any extenuating circumstances or needs as soon as possible.
A final grade of 75% of higher is mandatory for continuation in the Radiography program.
Grading Procedure
Percentage of Total Points Letter Grade
91% or above A
90% - 83% B
82% - 75% C
74% - 67% D
66% and below F
LATE ASSIGNMENTS
There will be a deduction of FIVE points on all late assignments. The student will receive a ZERO for all assignments not submitted.
Health Careers
Dean, Brad Wood; 815-802-8815; M107; bwood@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8800
CHEATING
*Cheating will not be tolerated. Some examples of cheating are: Using a calculator, notes, or other materials during an exam unless otherwise specified, copying another student's work, or copying material from books or other sources without acknowledging it, sharing or discussing questions or answers with other students regarding exam content, etc. Quizlet is another form of cheating. Taking questions from a review, quiz, or exam and entering them into Quizlet, is in fact plagiarism. This list is not all encompassing. If you are unsure whether something could be considered cheating, faculty suggest you communicate with them regarding the concern.
ATTENDANCE GRADING PROCEDURE
The instructor has the right to record the grade of F for the course or reduce a student's grade if a student has excessive absences as defined in the instructor's syllabus.” THE CODE OF CAMPUS AFFAIRS AND REGULATIONS" Section 4.0, Part 4.2- Attendance and Campus Behavior.
Excessive absence is defined as more than TWO missed class sessions. For each absence over TWO there will be a deduction of FIVE points from the student's total accumulation of points.
For each unexcused absence (defines as no notification before the class session and/or personal time off) there will be a deduction of FIVE points from the student's total accumulation of points
TARDINESS GRADING PROCEDURE
Prompt attendance at class sessions is mandatory. TWO tardies constitute one absence. A late arrival or early departure of ten minutes or more is considered an absence.
The door to the Radiography classroom will be locked at the beginning of class. If a student arrives more than 15 minutes late, the student will be allowed into the classroom at the professors’ discretion. If the student is not allowed into the classroom for this reason, an absence will be recorded for that class session.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
Regular attendance at all scheduled class sessions is expected. It is the students
responsibility to notify the professor if and why the absence is unavoidable before the class session begins. SEESECTION VI. GRADING PROCEDURE, Part D & E-
Attendance and tardiness.
Assignments and Exams- The student must complete all assignments and exams in order to receive a grade for that assignment.
Permission to make up tests or late assignments may be granted at the professor's discretion.
Discussion- Students are encouraged to actively participate in classroom demonstrations and discussions.
Student Responsibilities
Students are responsible for completing all assignments and activities outlined in the course calendar. In addition to reading assignments, homework, and exams student will also be required to do the following:
Experiments- Students will be assigned experiments related to various quality units. The students may do the experiments alone or in groups of no more than 3-4 people (groups chosen by the professor). The experiments will be performed in the Radiography Lab (M-124) using various phantoms and other materials provided to the students. Upon completion of the experiments the students will report their findings to the professor via Canvas.
College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.