Basic Applied Radiobiology Course
Online 300-hour course in basic applied radiobiology. 6 modules covering ICRP Publication 103 (2007 Recommendations), ICRP Publication 118 (tissue reactions) and Python (linear-quadratic models). Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
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Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the physical mechanisms of radiation interaction with matter.
Describe the molecular and cellular damage induced by ionising radiation.
Analyse the response of tissues and organs to different doses.
Differentiate deterministic effects from stochastic effects.
Interpret long-term risk models and their uncertainties.
Apply radiobiological knowledge to clinical practice and radiological protection.
Develop an integrative project on an applied radiobiology case.
Who it's for
- Radiation protection technician who wishes to specialise in Basic Applied Radiobiology.
- Radiobiology researcher who wishes to specialise in Basic Applied Radiobiology.
- Hospital radiophysicist who wishes to specialise in Basic Applied Radiobiology.
- Biological dosimetry laboratory technician who wishes to specialise in Basic Applied Radiobiology.
- Occupational health specialist who wishes to specialise in Basic Applied Radiobiology.
- Radiotherapy technician who wishes to specialise in Basic Applied Radiobiology.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter the healthcare sector.
What you'll work with
- ICRP Publication 103 (2007 Recommendations)
- ICRP Publication 118 (tissue reactions)
- BEIR VII Report (low-dose risks)
- UNSCEAR Reports on the effects of radiation
- ICRP Publication 99 (low-dose cancer risk)
- ISO 19238 (biological dosimetry by dicentric analysis)
- ISO 21243 (dicentric triage in emergencies)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Types of ionising radiation and their penetrating power1.2Linear energy transfer and ionisation density1.3Photon interactions: photoelectric effect, Compton scattering and pair production1.4Interaction of charged particles and neutrons1.5Dosimetric quantities: absorbed, equivalent and effective dose1.6Weighting factors by radiation type and by tissue1.7Dose rate and its biological relevance1.8Natural and artificial sources of exposure1.9Measurement instrumentation and personal dosimetry1.10Exercise: calculate the effective dose of an exposure scenario
2.1Water as a target: radiolysis and free radicals2.2Direct and indirect DNA damage2.3Types of lesion: single and double strand breaks, base damage2.4DNA repair mechanisms and their fidelity2.5Mutation, chromosomal aberrations and their detection2.6Cell death: apoptosis, necrosis and mitotic death2.7Cell survival curves and the linear-quadratic model2.8Radiosensitivity according to cell cycle phase2.9Oxygen effect and dose rate effect2.10Practical: interpret a cell survival curve
3.1Bergonié and Tribondeau's Law and its Limits 3.2 Early-Responding and Late-Responding Tissues 3.3 Organ Tolerance and Threshold Dose 3.4 Bone Marrow, Skin, Gonads and Lens 3.5 Digestive System and Central Nervous System 3.6 Fractionation and Recovery between Sessions 3.7 Repair, Repopulation, Redistribution and Reoxygenation 3.8 deterministic effects: Threshold, Severity and Latency 3.9 Acute Radiation Syndrome by Dose Ranges 3.10 Practice: Match a Clinical Picture to A Dose Range
4.1Radiation-induced carcinogenesis: mechanisms and latency4.2Risk models and the linear no-threshold hypothesis4.3Key epidemiological studies and their limitations4.4Hereditary risk and available evidence4.5Prenatal exposure and developmental effects4.6Age and risk: why it is not the same at ten as at sixty4.7Uncertainty in risk estimation at low doses4.8Communicating risk to patients and workers4.9Dosimetric records and health surveillance4.10Practical: estimate the risk associated with a medical examination
5.1Radiobiological basis of radiotherapy5.2Therapeutic ratio and protection of healthy tissue5.3Radiosensitisers and radioprotectors5.4Brachytherapy and nuclear medicine: particularities5.5Justification and optimisation in diagnostic radiology5.6The ALARA principle in daily practice5.7Dose limits for exposed workers and the public5.8Protection of pregnant women and paediatric patients5.9Incident management and overexposure5.10Practical: review a protocol with radiobiological judgement
6.1Choosing the scenario: clinical, industrial or research6.2Characterisation of sources and exposure pathways6.3Dosimetric estimation of the scenario6.4Assessment of expected biological damage6.5Proposed protection measures and their justification6.6Cost-benefit analysis of optimisation6.7Surveillance and incident response plan6.8Outreach material for staff involved6.9Technical report6.10Project defence
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Python (linear-quadratic models), R (epidemiological analysis), CABAS (biological dose estimation), advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures for cell survival curve analysis, biological dosimetry case studies, and review of epidemiological cohort data. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the physical mechanisms of radiation interaction with matter.
Describe the molecular and cellular damage induced by ionising radiation.
Analyse the response of tissues and organs to different doses.
Differentiate deterministic effects from stochastic effects.
Interpret long-term risk models and their uncertainties.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
Work is carried out with Python (linear-quadratic models), R (epidemiological analysis), CABAS (biological dose estimation) and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher programme. Consult the recognition policy when you enrol.
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