Lund University
Medical Applications of Particle Accelerators (NPAP MOOC)
Lund University

Medical Applications of Particle Accelerators (NPAP MOOC)

7,919 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.6

(274 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 7 hours
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.6

(274 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 7 hours
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

22 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Placeholder
Placeholder

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

Placeholder

There are 4 modules in this course

Welcome to this course on medical applications of accelerators. The most important applications of accelerators in medicine are radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging using radionuclides, which both play a very important role in the treatment of cancer. Thus, the course focuses on these two applications of accelerators in medicine. In fact, accelerators for radiotherapy is the largest application of accelerators altogether with more than 11000 accelerators worldwide. These accelerators range from very compact electron linear accelerators with a length of only about 1 m to large carbon ion synchrotrons with a circumference of more than 50 m and a huge rotating carbon ion gantry with a weight of 600 tons. The course starts with an introduction to radiotherapy with focus on the biological properties of ionizing radiation. Subsequently, the electron linac for radiotherapy is presented. The main components of the electron linac are the multi-energy linac structure and the treatment head, which converts the electron beam to the desired dose distribution in the patient. Next, proton accelerators for radiotherapy are discussed with focus on the applied accelerator types and the treatment delivery technologies. Treatment with heavy ions and the challenges of proton and heavy ion therapy are also presented. Finally, the medical application of radionuclides are introduced and the production of radionuclides with cyclotrons is discussed.

What's included

3 videos8 readings5 assignments

What's included

4 videos6 readings6 assignments

What's included

4 videos8 readings6 assignments

What's included

5 videos14 readings5 assignments

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.3 (94 ratings)
Lars Hjorth Præstegaard
Lund University
1 Course7,919 learners

Offered by

Lund University

Recommended if you're interested in Research

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

4.6

274 reviews

  • 5 stars

    75.54%

  • 4 stars

    17.51%

  • 3 stars

    3.64%

  • 2 stars

    1.09%

  • 1 star

    2.18%

Showing 3 of 274

AP
4

Reviewed on May 29, 2020

YI
5

Reviewed on Apr 23, 2023

CL
5

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2022

New to Research? Start here.

Placeholder

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions