Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy involves treating disease with penetrating beams of high-energy radiation, primarily in the treatment of cancer. They are responsible for accurately recording, interpreting and administering the treatment prescribed by radiation oncologists. During treatment, therapists help physicians use fluoroscopy, X-ray films or CT scans to localize and outline anatomical areas requiring treatment.

The professional program in Radiation Therapy is thirteen (13) quarters in length, including the summer between the first and second year, with the final seven (7) quarters being completed in sequence, as shown in the Radiation Therapy Curriculum (see below).  There is no provision for part-time or evening-only enrollment.

During the first and second professional years, students complete prerequisite courses and courses required under the General Education Curriculum (GEC). In the third and fourth professional years, students learn the basics of radiologic imaging, radiation techniques, including radiation oncology, and gain experience in both simulated exercises and working with actual patients. During the final year of the program, students are exposed to a range of topics that prepare them for the work place, including clinical treatment planning, quality management, research design, clinical correlations, and health care organization, among others.
A minimum total of 196 quarter hours is required for graduation, including the GEC Approved List of Courses and the third- and fourth-year requirements outlined under the Radiation Therapy Curriculum (see below).    Satisfactory completion leads to the Bachelor of Science in Allied Medical Professions degree.

Ohio State's Radiologic Sciences and Therapy program is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Ohio Department of Health.

Curriculum

FIRST AND SECOND YEARS (Pre-Professional) 
See Suggested Scheduling Plan

THIRD YEAR

Autumn Quarter (14 quarter credit hours)

• Rad Sci 311 - Patient Care, Ethics, and Law in Radiation Therapy (3 cr hr)
• Rad Sci 425 - Principles of Radiologic Imaging I (3)
• Rad Sci 414 - Radiation Techniques I (3)
• Rad Sci 441.01 - Applied Radiation Therapy I (3)
• Rad Sci 595- Seminar (2)
   

Winter Quarter (14 cr hr)

• Rad Sci 415 - Radiation Techniques II (3)
• Rad Sci 481 - Radiation Oncology Physics I (3)
• Rad Sci 573 - Applied Radiation Oncology I (2)
• Rad Sci 441.02 - Applied Radiation Therapy I (4)
• Allied Med 680.01- Research Design in Biomedical Science (3)

Spring Quarter (17 cr hr)

• Rad Sci 416 - Simulation Lab (1)
• Rad Sci 483 - Dosimetry Calculations (5)
• Rad Sci 574 - Applied Radiation Oncology II (5)
• Rad Sci 672 - Radiologic Sectional Anatomy (3)
• Rad Sci 441.03 - Applied Radiation Therapy I (3)

Summer Quarter (15 cr hr)

• Rad Sci 482 - Radiation Oncology Physics II (3)
• Rad Sci 550.42 - CT (1)
• 1st term:
  • Rad Sci 541.01 - Applied Radiation Therapy II (4)
  • Allied Med 630 - Management Principles for Health Professions (3)
• 2nd term:
  • Rad Sci 541.02 - Applied Radiation Therapy II (4)

FOURTH YEAR

Autumn Quarter (13 cr hr)

• Rad Sci 485 - Treatment Planning in Radiation Oncology (2)
• Rad Sci 530 - Quality Management in Radiation Sciences (4)
• Rad Sci 541.03 - Applied Radiation Therapy II (4)
• Allied Med 505 - Principles of Disease I (3)

Winter Quarter (12 cr hr)

• Rad Sci 671 - Radiobiology for Radiation Therapy (3) 
• Rad Sci 541.04 - Applied Radiation Therapy II (4) 
• Rad Sci 595 - Seminar (2)
• Allied Med 506- Principles of Disease II (3)

Spring Quarter (11 cr hr)

• Rad Sci 618 - Clinical Radiation Oncology (3)
• Rad Sci 630 - Transitions to the Imaging Workplace (1)
• Rad Sci 541.05 - Applied Radiation Therapy II (5)
• Rad Sci 595 - Administrative Aspects of Radiologic Technology (2)

(97 cr hr)