KJM9951 – Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry

Course content

The course is an introductory lecture about medical applications of radiochemistry and radiotracer based molecular imaging. The course is generally open to students from the field of Chemistry, Physics, Pharmacy and Biology, however, a basic knowledge of Chemistry is recommended. The course covers central topics of synthesis and application of imaging agents in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, other subjects include radiochemistry, synthesis of radiolabeled compounds, radiolabeling techniques, development and evaluation of radiopharmaceuticals, automated radiosynthesis, radiotracer production, and quality control.

Learning outcome

When you have completed this course:

• You understand the tracer principle and its implications in chemistry
• You have basic knowledge of the synthesis of PET and SPECT radiopharmaceuticals
• You are familiar with the principles of designing relevant molecules for imaging in nuclear medicine
• You know the necessary procedures for automated production, quality control and handling.
• You have a good comprehension of the basic principles for biological and physiological functions necessary for medical applications.
• You can compile and present scientific information to less experienced students in a teaching situation.

Admission to the course

PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through Studentweb.

If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.

PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must apply for a position as a visiting student within a given deadline.

Recommended previous knowledge

A solid understanding of basic chemistry, scientific language and a commitment to study proactively is strongly recommended.

Overlapping courses

• 5 credits overlap with KJM5951 – Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry (discontinued).
• 5 credits overlap with KJM5950 – Radiopharmaceutical chemistry (discontinued).
• 5 credits overlap with KJM9950 – Radiopharmaceutical chemistry (discontinued).

Teaching

The course comprises 18 lectures. In the second lecture you will also receive a project assignment where your task is to solve a scientific problem. There will be two 45 minute group sessions where you can suggest an approach and discuss progress with the teacher. Then there will be two mandatory seminar days where you present the solution to your problem in at 20 minutes oral presentation, followed by discussion. The presentation should contain sufficient background and interpretation of your findings/results to reach an audience of master students. The project assignment is mandatory and must be completed before you can attend the exam.

It is the sole responsibility of participants to obtain and maintain study materials provided in each lecture or exercise.

Examination

• Midterm exam: a project assignment with an oral presentation, which counts 20% towards the final grade.
• Final written exam, 2 hours, which counts 80% towards the final grade.

Both the midterm exam and the final exam must be passed to get a final grade in the course.

It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: KJM5951 – Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry (discontinued)

Examination support material

No examination support material is allowed on the written exam.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.

Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass the original examination.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.