Overview
This is the first of four units of study in the field of Imaging Science. This foundation unit builds on your introductory study of radiography and use of x-ray equipment in the prerequisite unit MEDI11001 Fundamentals of the Imaging Professions. In this unit you will examine the design and operation of the x-ray tube and the x-ray generator, learning how form follows function to enable controlled radiation output in terms of beam contents, location, dimensions and duration. You will examine the radiation interactions with matter that occur for diagnostic x-ray energies and factors affecting the relative quantities of each that occur as an x-ray beam passes through an object. You will learn how ionising radiation is measured and expressed, particularly in terms of clinical metrics. You will discuss techniques of clinical equipment use to conserve equipment life and support radiation safety of the patient, the equipment operator and others in the area. You will discuss radiation bioeffects and radiation safety standards for diagnostic x-ray exposure.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites: MEDI11001 Fundamentals of the Imaging Professions MEDI11002 Physics for Health Science
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 3 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
- Relate the design, structure and operation of the x-ray tube assembly to the production of x-radiation, equipment conservation and safety
- Discuss the major components and operations of the x-ray generator in controlling the x-ray tube voltage waveform and current
- Discuss the use of technical parameters, filters and collimation in radiography to control the useful x-ray beam's contents and dimensions
- Apply physical principles in predicting and explaining processes of x-ray production and x-ray interactions with matter as well as the factors affecting these processes
- Apply the various metrics and expressions of radiation quantity and quality in discussing x-ray beam production and attenuation
- Relate core concepts of bioeffects of low-level ionising radiation and current scientific theories of radiation risk to the practice of radiography that is consistent with radiation protection legislation, regulations, standards and best practices.
This unit links to the following Professional Capabilities for Medical Radiation Practitioners as detailed by the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (effective 1 March 2020):
- Domain 1A:1 Perform projection radiography examinations in a range of settings (parts a,d)
- Domain 2:1 Practice in an ethical and professional manner, consistent with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements (parts a, g)
- Domain 5:1 Perform and provide safe radiation practice (parts a,b,c,d,f)
- Domain 5:4 Maintain safety of the workplace and associated environments (a,c,d,e,f,g)
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||||
| 2 - Online Test - 30% | ||||||
| 3 - Examination - 50% | ||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||||
Textbooks
Radiography in the digital age: physics - exposure - radiation biology
Edition: 4th (2023)
Authors: Quinn Carroll
Charles C. Thomas
Springfield Springfield , Illinois , USA
ISBN: 9780398094089
This e-book is available through the University's Library. Students are not required to purchase a hard copy.
This e-book is available through the University's Library. Students are not required to purchase a hard copy.
Essentials of radiographic physics and imaging
Edition: 3rd (2019)
Authors: Hames Johnston, Terri Fauber
Mosby
ISBN: 9780323594486
This e-book is available through the University's Library. Students are not required to purchase a hard copy.
This e-book is available through the University's Library. Students are not required to purchase a hard copy.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
s.wooldridge@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
X-ray tube construction and operation
- anode assembly
- cathode assembly
- tube operation
Chapter
Radiography in the Digital Age 4th ed Chapter 9
Essentials of Radiographic Physics and Imaging 3rd ed Chapter 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Tube assembly components and operations
- housing assembly
- collimator assembly
Management of heat in tube and housing assembly
Chapter
Radiography in the Digital Age 4th ed Chapters 9, 18
Essentials of Radiographic Physics and Imaging 3rd ed Chapter 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online tutorial Monday 10:00 - 11:00am
Module/Topic
X-ray beam production processes
- Bremsstrahlung production process
- Characteristic production process
- factors affecting production processes
- heat production during x-ray tube operation
Chapter
Radiography in the Digital Age 4th ed Chapter 10
Essentials of Radiographic Physics and Imaging 3rd ed Chapter 6
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online tutorial Monday 10:00 - 11:00am
Module/Topic
Effects of primary technical factors on beam production
- tube voltage
- tube current
- exposure time
- current-time product (mAs)
Chapter
Radiography in the Digital Age 4th ed Chapter 10
Essentials of Radiographic Physics and Imaging 3rd ed Chapter 6
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online tutorial Monday 10:00 - 11:00am
Module/Topic
Expressions of beam quantity and quality
- terminology
- metrics
- spectral curves
Virtual labs 1 and 2
Chapter
Radiography in the Digital Age 4th ed Chapters 10, 39
Essentials of Radiographic Physics and Imaging 3rd ed Chapter 6
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online tutorial Monday 10:00 - 11:00am
Quiz 1 due: Thursday 11 December by 8:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
X-ray photon interactions with matter
- Photoelectric effect
- Compton scatter
Factors affecting probabilities of interactions for a photon
Chapter
Radiography in the Digital Age 4th ed Chapter 11
Essentials of Radiographic Physics and Imaging 3rd ed Chapter 7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online tutorial Monday 10:00 - 11:00am
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Attenuation of x-ray beams passing through matter
- absorption vs attenuation
- factors affecting beam attenuation and transmission
- fractional attenuation and fractional transmission
Filtration of x-ray beams
- beam spectrum shaping
- inherent vs added filtration
Virtual labs 3 and 4
Chapter
Radiography in the Digital Age 4th ed Chapter 11, 12
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online tutorial Monday 10:00 - 11:00am
Module/Topic
Main circuits and components of x-ray generators
- transformers
- x-ray tube circuit
- filament heating circuit
- generator operation in controlling x-ray tube production
Chapter
Radiography in the Digital Age 4th ed Chapter 8
Essentials of Radiographic Physics and Imaging 3rd ed Chapters 4, 13
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online tutorial Monday 10:00 - 11:00am
Quiz 2 due: Thursday 15 January by 8:00 pm
Module/Topic
Generator waveforms and impact on x-ray output
Control of exposure duration
- exposure termination modes
- time
- mAs
- Automatic Exposure Control
Chapter
Radiography in the Digital Age 4th ed Chapters 4, 8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online tutorial Monday 10:00 - 11:00am
Module/Topic
Bioeffects of ionising radiation
- radiation bioeffects at cellular and system levels
- factors affecting cellular and tissue radiation sensitivity
- risk models for radiation detriment
- current science perspectives about risks of doses used in diagnostic imaging
Chapter
Radiography in the Digital Age 4th ed Chapters 38, 40, 41
Additional e-reading selections
Events and Submissions/Topic
No Tutorial this week
Assessment 2 Online test Due: Week 10 Thursday (29 Jan 2026) 8:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Radiation safety and protection
- occupational vs medical exposure
- entrance skin dose vs absorbed dose
- protection principles: justification, limitation, optimisation
- use of shielding
- use of distance
Chapter
Radiography in the Digital Age 4th ed Chapter 39, 42
Additional e-reading selections
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online tutorial Monday 10:00 - 11:00am
Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online tutorial Monday 10:00 - 11:00am
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Final Examination as scheduled by the Exams Office
This unit builds on your prior study of MEDI11001 Fundamentals of the Imaging Professions and MEDI11002 Physics for Health Sciences. Each week you are expected to work through the learning activities as listed in the weekly study guide to achieve the weekly learning goals. Included in the learning resources is a set of virtual labs, which are video recordings of lab experiments using the x-ray equipment in our clinical simulation lab. These will form the basis of the online test. A core learning resource is also the weekly tutorial. These are designed to be interactive sessions where students apply the week's concepts and work out well-reasoned responses to questions. This activity helps you assess your understanding of the core concepts and enables you to practice answering the types of questions you will be asked in assessments.
As for any 6 credit point unit, you are expected to spend about 150 hours of time on this unit, which is about 12 - 13 hours per week over the 12 weeks of the term. In a typical week this engagement time will include:
- watching lecture and lab videos and making study notes (3 - 4 hours)
- completing the assigned readings and making study notes (3 - 4 hours)
- preparing for and participating in the online tutorial (2 - 3 hours)
- revising and preparing for assessments (2 - 3 hours)
1 Online Quiz(zes)
You will write two online quizzes. Each assesses your ability to apply the concepts and use the terminology for specific weeks of content of this unit. Questions will be of a range of types, including multiple choice, matching and short response. These question tasks may include explanations of concepts, application of concepts to specific scenarios, analysis of diagrams, definitions of key terms and correct use of terminology.
The weekly tutorials will provide you practice in using technical terminology and applying concepts as well as practicing some types of test questions. The emphasis of these quizzes is not on recall of facts but instead application of facts and concepts. The weekly learning goals tell you the specific ways that you are expected to integrate and apply concepts.
Each quiz will be of 15 minutes duration. Each quiz will be available on the stated due date between 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm AEST. Once you access the quiz, you will have 15 minutes to complete it. You will have a single attempt, which means you cannot re-open the quiz once you have closed it. The stated due date/time listed below is when the test availability will close in Moodle, so plan to start your test at least 15 minutes before that time. If you start your test less than 15 minutes prior to the due date/time, your test will still close at 8:00 p.m.
- Quiz 1: Thursday of Week 5 (11 December 2025) - covers material from Weeks 1 - 4
- Quiz 2: Thursday of Week 8 (15 January 2026) - covers material from Weeks 5 - 7
Each quiz counts 10% towards your unit total.
This is an open book assessment. It means that during the quizzes you may access your study notes, textbook, the unit Moodle site and/or any website. However, the time allocated for completing the questions assumes you will have been engaging with the unit and are reasonably familiar with the unit material. You should not expect to have the time to look up answers to every question.
To undertake the quizzes, ensure that you have use of a computer (PC or Mac) in good working order with adequate power/charged battery and reliable high speed internet access. Use of a tablet or phone device is not recommended as you will not be able to see all available information on the Moodle quiz screen.
Your quiz responses must be your own work. The rules of academic integrity still apply. During each quiz you may not consult with any other person via any means (whether verbally, electronically or in writing) or accept any input or assistance from any other person, group or artificial intelligence (AI) source regarding the test questions and your responses. You may not record or share the quiz content with any other person for any reason, both during and after the quiz.
At the start of each quiz you will need to make a declaration that you understand these standards of academic integrity and that you agree to abide by them. Any identified cases of potential collusion or cheating will result in a breach of academic integrity case being raised.
AI scale for this task: 1 NO AI. You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Each quiz must be completed by the above-listed due date and time. The 72 hour grace period does not apply to this assessment. Please see Section 5: Assessment Management of the University's Assessment Policy and Procedure for details around assessment extension. If you have an approved extension, you will be assigned a new due date and time as soon as possible after the original quiz date. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are available at that new assigned date/time. In the absence of an approved extension, if you have not submitted your test attempt by the due date and time, you cannot attempt it at a later time and you will receive a mark of zero for the assessment.
2
Other
Quiz 1: Thursday of Week 5 (11 December 2025) 8:00 pm AEST. Quiz 2: Thursday of Week 8 (15 January 2026) 8:00 pm AEST
Results for each quiz will be released two weeks after the quiz due date.
Question responses will be scored based on:
- factual correctness
- correct use of terminology
- completeness relative to what the question asked
- critical thinking
- Relate the design, structure and operation of the x-ray tube assembly to the production of x-radiation, equipment conservation and safety
- Discuss the use of technical parameters, filters and collimation in radiography to control the useful x-ray beam's contents and dimensions
- Apply physical principles in predicting and explaining processes of x-ray production and x-ray interactions with matter as well as the factors affecting these processes
- Apply the various metrics and expressions of radiation quantity and quality in discussing x-ray beam production and attenuation
2 Online Test
As student radiographers you will need to be able to make reasoned selections of technical parameters to control the x-ray beam’s production and its attenuation as it passes through matter and to predict what will occur when changes are made to imaging conditions. This online test enables you to demonstrate your knowledge of core concepts and ability to apply them to clinical radiography.
During the term you will be provided a series of videos of experiments carried out in the Medical Imaging clinical simulation labs, which you used in your prerequisite study. The experiments investigate the impacts of various factors on the useful x-ray beam, on the attenuation of a beam passing through matter and on the resultant digital radiographs. You will be provided the experimental data and associated graphs. These virtual labs are sequenced through the unit to build on the theory you are learning from week to week.
Your assessment task is to answer a series of questions relating to concepts covered in Weeks 1 to 7 content and the virtual labs including results obtained. This is an open book test. It means that prior to the test you should make summary notes regarding each of the labs, including the answers to the questions asked in the labs PowerPoint, these notes can be referred to during the test. Also during the test, you may access your study notes, textbook, the unit Moodle site and/or any website. However, the time allocated for completing the questions assumes you will have been engaging with the unit and are reasonably familiar with the unit material covered in Weeks 1 to 7 as well as the virtual labs. You should not expect to have the time to look up answers to every question. Because this is an open book test the emphasis is not on recall of facts from the virtual labs but instead application of facts and concepts covered in the virtual labs as well as concepts covered in Weeks 1 to 7.
The test will be available from 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm AEST. Once you access the test, you will have 50 minutes to complete it. You will have a single attempt, which means you cannot re-open the quiz once you have closed it. The stated due date/time listed below is when the test availability will close in Moodle, so plan to start your test at least 50 minutes before that time. If you start your test less than 50 minutes prior to the due date/time, your test will still close at 8:00 p.m.
To undertake the test, ensure that you have use of a computer (PC or Mac) in good working order with adequate power/charged battery and reliable high speed internet access. Use of a tablet or phone device is not recommended as you will not be able to see all available information on the Moodle quiz screen.
Your test responses must be your own work. The rules of academic integrity still apply. During the test you may not consult with any other person via any means (whether verbally, electronically or in writing) or accept any input or assistance from any other person, group or artificial intelligence (AI) source regarding the test questions and your responses. You may not share the test content with any other person for any reason, both during and after the test.
In completing your responses to long-answer questions, you may include statements that are not your intellectual property as long as you formally cite your source in your response. This includes using the exact words of others (in which case you must indicate that with quotation marks as well as citing the source) as well as paraphrased ideas of others (in which case you must cite the source). Failure to acknowledge the ideas and words of others is a breach of academic integrity. You are not required to cite your source for statements of generally recognised facts that are considered common knowledge if you are using your own words.
At the start of the test, you will need to make a declaration that you understand these standards of academic integrity and that you agree to abide by them. Any identified potential academic integrity breach will be reported and investigated.
AI scale for this task: 1 NO AI. You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
This test must be completed by the due date and time. The 72 hour grace period does not apply to this assessment. Please see Section 5: Assessment Management of the University's Assessment Policy and Procedure for details around assessment extension. If you have an approved extension, you will be assigned a new due date and time as soon as possible after the original test date. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are available at that new assigned date/time. In the absence of an approved extension, if you have not submitted your test attempt by the due date and time, you cannot attempt it at a later time and you will receive a mark of zero for the assessment.
Week 10 Thursday (29 Jan 2026) 8:00 pm AEST
Week 12 Thursday (12 Feb 2026)
Marks available for each question will be indicated. For long response questions one key point (typically expressed in one to two sentences) is expected per available mark.
Test question responses will be scored using the following criteria:
- factual correctness
- correct use of terminology
- clarity of explanations
- completeness in scope relative to the question that was asked
- relevance to the question that was asked
- critical thinking
- Discuss the use of technical parameters, filters and collimation in radiography to control the useful x-ray beam's contents and dimensions
- Apply physical principles in predicting and explaining processes of x-ray production and x-ray interactions with matter as well as the factors affecting these processes
- Apply the various metrics and expressions of radiation quantity and quality in discussing x-ray beam production and attenuation
Examination
Calculator - non-programmable, no text retrieval, silent only
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
