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MEMORIAL SLOAN-KETTERING CANCER CENTER
SCHOOL OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY TECHNOLOGY

Current Courses

• Organization description
  (titles of all evaluated learning experiences, organization description, and source of official student records)

• Titles of all evaluated learning experiences in the Current Courses section

• Descriptions and credit recommendations

Descriptions and credit recommendations

1. Clinical Anatomy I
2. Clinical Anatomy II
Location: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY.
Length: Course 1: 50 hrs (17 weeks). Course 2: 50 hrs (17 weeks).
Dates: Course 1 or 2: September 2009 - Present.
Objectives: Courses 1 and 2: Discuss the structure and function of the human body with emphasis on the basic anatomical structures and their relationship with clinical aspects of radiation oncology; explain medical terms used to describe the structure of different regions in order to describe the composition of the body and the anatomical abnormalities found on clinical examination.
Instruction: Courses 1 and 2: Anatomy of the human body; emphasis on anatomy of the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, nervous, respiratory, digestive, excretory, reproductive and endocrine systems will be discussed. Courses explore the clinical aspects of human anatomy in radiation oncology. Laboratory work is not included.
Credit recommendation: Courses 1 and 2: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester hours in Biology (9/09). NOTE: Courses 1 and 2 must both be completed to receive credit. NOTE: Earlier versions of both courses are located in the Retired Courses section.

Clinical Practicum
Location: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY.
Length: Version 1 or 2: Minimum of 2,200 hours (2 years).
Dates: Version 1: January 1975 - August 2009. Version 2: September 2009 - Present.
Objectives: Version 1 or 2: Demonstrate entry-level competency in the practice of radiation therapy technology in a clinical setting.
Instruction: Version 1 or 2: Students function as learning members of the hospital’s radiation therapy department. Experience is provided in patient set-up, localization of tumors, immobilization device fabrication, treatment planning, operation of various radiation treatment units, basic nursing skills, emergency procedures, radiation safety, treatment simulation, and psychological needs of the patient. Direct supervision is provided to develop and evaluate the student’s clinical skills.
Credit recommendation: Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/ associate degree category, 22 semester hours in Allied Health Sciences (4/80) (11/88 revalidation) (6/94 revalidation) (5/99 revalidation) (6/04 revalidation). Version 2: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 25 semester hours in Allied Health Sciences (9/09 revalidation).

Clinical Radiation Oncology I
Clinical Radiation Oncology II
Location: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY.
Length: Course 1: 50 hours (17 weeks). Course 2: 50 hours (17 weeks).
Dates: Courses 1 or 2: September 2009 - Present.*
Objectives: Course 1: Course 2:
Instruction: Course 1: Course 2:
Credit recommendation: Courses 1 and 2: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester hours in Allied Health Sciences (9/09 revalidation). NOTE: Courses 1 and 2 must both be completed to receive credit. * NOTE: Course 1 was previously listed under the exhibit beginning with Principles of Radiation Oncology and an earlier version of Course 2 was previously listed separately. Please refer to the Retired Courses section for further information on these earlier versions.

1. Clinical Setups I
2. Clinical Setups II
(formerly Clinical Setups I and II)
Location: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY.
Length: Version 1, Courses 1 and 2: 34 hours (17 weeks); classroom instruction is supplemented by approximately 68 hours of laboratory demonstration. Version 2, Course 1: 17 hours (17 weeks). Version 2, Course 2: 25.5 hours (17 weeks).
Dates: Version 1, Courses 1 or 2: September 2003 - August 2009. Version 2, Courses 1 or 2: September 2009 - Present.
Objectives: Version 1 or 2, Courses 1 and 2: Explain simulation concepts and principles; describe treatment techniques for basic and advanced clinical set-ups and explain the rationale for each; perform techniques used in accurately simulating and setting up a patient for radiation therapy treatment.
Instruction: Version 1 or 2, Courses 1 and 2: Anatomical sites; anatomical landmarks; lymph node drainage; immobilization devices; contrast media; proper technical procedures based on current practices. Classroom presentations are supplemented with laboratory demonstrations.
Credit recommendation: Version 1, Courses 1 and 2: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 2 semester hours in Allied Health Sciences (6/04). Version 2, Courses 1 and 2: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Allied Health Sciences (9/09 revalidation).

1. Introduction to Radiation Therapy I
2. Introduction to Radiation Therapy II
Location: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY.
Length: Course 1: Course 2:
Dates: Courses 1 or 2: September 2009 - Present.
Objectives: Course 1: Course 2:
Instruction: Course 1: Course 2:
Credit recommendation: Courses 1 and 2: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, semester hours in Allied Health Sciences (9/09). NOTE: Courses 1 and 2 must both be completed to receive credit.

Mathematics
(Fundamentals of Mathematics)
Location: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY.
Length: Version 1, 2, 3 or 4: 30 hours (15 weeks). Version 5 or 6: 34 hours (17 weeks).
Dates: Version 1: January 1975 - August 1987. Version 2: September 1987 - August 1993. Version 3: September 1993 - August 1998. Version 4: September 1998 - August 2003. Version 5: September 2003 - August 2009. Version 6: September 2009 - Present.
Objectives: Version 1: To provide the student with a review of general mathematics. Version 2: Perform basic mathematical calculations in algebra and geometry. Version 3: Solve problems using graphs, logarithms, and trigonometric and algebraic functions. Version 4, 5, or 6: Solve problems using graphs, logarithms, and trigonometric and algebraic functions; interpret basic descriptive statistics.
Instruction: Version 1: General review of basic numeri­cal computa­tions, scientific notation, exponents, and logarithms. Algebraic equations and trigonometric func­tions. Version 2: General review of basic numerical computations, scientific notation, exponents, and logarithms. Algebraic equations. Version 3: General review of basic numerical computations, scientific notation, exponents, and logarithms; algebraic equations; geometry; basic trigonometry. Version 4, 5, or 6: General review of basic numerical computations, scientific notation, exponents, and logarithms; algebraic equations; geometry; basic trigonometry; basic descriptive statistics.
Credit recommendation: Version 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 2 semester hours in Mathematics (4/80) (11/88 revalidation) (6/94 revalidation) (5/99 revalidation) (6/04 revalidation). Version 6: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 2 semester hours in Mathematics (9/09 revalidation).

1. Methods of Patient Care
2. Record Keeping
3. Medical Terminology
4. Ethics and Law in Radiation Therapy
Location: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY.
Length: Course 1: Course 2: Course 3: Course 4:
Dates: Courses 1, 2, 3, or 4: September 2009 - Present.*
Objectives: Course 1: Course 2: Course 3:Course 4:
Instruction: Course 1: Course 2: Course 3: Course 4:
Credit recommendation: Courses 1, 2, 3, and 4: In the upper division baccalaureate/associate degree category, semester hours in Allied Health Sciences (9/09 revalidation). NOTE: Courses 1, 2, 3, and 3 must all be completed to receive credit. * NOTE: Earlier versions of these course are located in the Retired Courses section.

Pathology
Location: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY.
Length: Version 1: 15 hours (15 weeks). Version 2 or 3: 25.5 hours (17 weeks).
Dates: Version 1: September 1987 - August 2003.* Version 2: September 2003 - August 2009. Version 3: September 2009 - Present.
Objectives: Version 1, 2, or 3: Describe the structural and functional manifestations of diseases, especially neoplasias, and explain the correlations between the changes in body tissues and organs which cause or are caused by disease.
Instruction: Version 1, 2, or 3: Relationship between physiology and pathology; major divisions of pathology; effects of radiation on normal tissues; effects of radiation on diseased tissue, particularly cancer; the major pathological conditions of the various organs, with emphasis on neoplasia of these organs.
Credit recommendation: Version 1 or 2: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 1 semester hour in Biology (11/88 revalidation) (6/94 revalidation) (5/99 revalidation) (6/04 revalidation). Version 3: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 2 semester hours in Biology (9/09 revalidation). NOTE: The credit recommendation for Version 3 reflects the intensive nature of the subject matter and the in-depth assignments.*NOTE: From January 1975 to August 1987, this course was recommended for credit as part of a course grouping including courses then titled Oncology and Technical Radiation Oncology. For further information, please refer to Pathology in the Retired Courses section for this organization.

1. Principles of Radiography
2. Film Review
3. Quality Assurance
Location: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY.
Length: Course 1: 17 hours (17 weeks). Course 2: 17 hours (17 weeks). Course 3: 17 hours (17 weeks).
Dates: Courses 1, 2, or 3: September 2009 - Present.*
Objectives: Course 1: Course 2: Course 3:
Instruction: Course 1: Course 2: Course 3:
Credit recommendation: Courses 1, 2, and 3: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Allied Health Sciences (9/09 revalidation). NOTE: Courses 1, 2, and 3 must all be completed to receive credit. * NOTE: Earlier versions of these course are located in the Retired Courses section.

1. Radiation Biology
2. Radiation Protection
Location: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY.
Length: Course 1: 17 hours (17 weeks). Course 2 : 25.5 hours (17 weeks).
Dates: Course 1 or 2: September 2009 - Present.*
Objectives: Course 1: Define fundamental terminology, concepts and principles of cell biology; describe the interactions of various types of radiations with biologic systems and the effects they have on these systems, with special emphasis on the clinical management of cancer. Course 2: Explain fundamental principles of radiation protection, and apply these principles in clinical radiation oncology.
Instruction: Course 1: Cell; radiation sickness; gene mutations; protection; theory of action; biochemistry; radiomimetic chemicals; cell death and replication; effects of various types of radiation on cells; cytotoxicity; oxygen enhancement ratios; radiation biologic effectiveness; total body radiation. Course 2: Properties of X-rays; radiation units of measurement; maximum permissible dose; principles of safety; introduction to radiation detection instruments; protective barriers; acute radiation syndromes; long‑term effects of radiation; protective regulations; emergency procedures; survey of equipment (diagnostic X-ray, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine facilities); dosimetry; brachytherapy.
Credit recommendation: Courses 1 and 2: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Allied Health Sciences or Biology (9/09 revalidation). *NOTE: Earlier versions of these courses are located in the Retired Courses section.

1. Radiation Physics I
2. Radiation Physics II
Location: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY.
Length: Course 1, Version 1: 42.5 hours (17 weeks). Course 1, Version 2: 50 hours (17 weeks). Course 2, Version 1 or 2: 50 hours (17 weeks).
Dates: Version 1: September 2003 - August 2003.* Version 2: September 2009 - Present.
Objectives: Version 1 or 2: Explain the mechanisms involved in the interaction of radiation and matter; describe the theory of operation of megavoltage treatment units; calculate radiation dose distributions; explain various modes of radioactive decay and principles of brachytherapy.
Instruction: Version 1 or 2: Properties of x-rays and gamma rays; x-ray production; types of x-ray machines; radiation units; radioactive decay; interactions of radiation and matter; dose calculations; principles of brachytherapy; treatment time and treatment dose calculations for implant sources; neutron therapy.
Credit recommendation: Version 1, Courses 1 and 2: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Radiation Physics and 3 semester hours in General Physics (no lab) (6/04 revalidation). Version 2, Courses 1 and 2: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Radiation Physics and 3 semester hours in General Physics (no lab) (9/09 revalidation). NOTE: Courses 1 and 2 must both be completed to receive credit. *NOTE: From September 1981 to August 2003, these courses were recommended for credit as part of a course grouping that included Basic Physics. For further information, please refer to that course title in the Retired Courses section for this organization.

1.  Treatment Planning I
2.  Treatment Planning II
(Formerly Treatment Planning)
Location: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY.
Length: Courses 1 and 2, Version 1: 30 hours (30 weeks). Courses 1 and 2, Version 2: 60 hours (30 weeks). Courses 1 and 2, Version 3: 90 hours (30 weeks); includes 45 hours of supervised laboratory experience. Course 1, Version 4: 34 hours (17 weeks). Course 2, Version 4: 45 hours (15 weeks). Course 1, Version 5: 50 hours (17 weeks). Course 2, Version 5: 50 hours (17 weeks).
Dates: Version 1: January 1975 - August 1981. Version 2: September 1981 - August 1993. Version 3: September 1993 - August 2003. Version 4: September 2003 - August 2009.. Version 5: September 2009 - Present.
Objectives: Version 1: To provide the student with a quantitative approach to radiation therapy treatment planning. Version 2, 3, 4, or 5: Calculate dose distributions and determine proper machine settings for accurate dose delivery.
Instruction: Version 1: Definition of terms; isodose charts; single and multiple fields; beam modification; dosage calculation; nominal standard dose; rotation therapy; auxiliary devices and use; gap calculations for adjacent fields; critical organ tolerances. (Prerequisite: Anatomy and Physiology, Physics I, Mathematics, Radia­tion Biology, and Technical Radia­tion Oncology.) Version 2: Definition of terms; isodose charts; single and multiple fields; beam modification; dosage calculation; nominal standard dose; rotation therapy; auxiliary devices and use; gap calculations for adjacent fields; critical organ tolerances; tumor dose calculations; tissue inhomogeneities. Version 3, 4, or 5: Definition of terms; isodose charts; single and multiple fields; beam modification; dosage calculation; rotation therapy; auxiliary devices and use; gap calculations for adjacent fields; critical organ tolerances; tumor dose calculations; tissue inhomogeneities; patient contours.
Credit recommendation: Version 1 or 2: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Allied Health Sciences (4/80) (11/88 revalidation). Version 3 or 4: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 4 semester hours in Allied Health Sciences (6/94 revalidation) (5/99 revalidation) (6/04 revalidation). Version 5: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester hours in Allied Health Sciences (9/09 revalidation).

Updated 10-8-09

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