Radiobiology and Dose Metrics

This flexible micro-credential is designed for anyone currently working or looking to upskill for an industry that applies radiation such as; medicine, agriculture, engineering, security, archaeology, geology, or law enforcement.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this micro-credential, you will be able to:

• Define multiple modes of measuring radiation exposure to individuals.
• Describe examples of radiation-induced illnesses.
• Explain how radiation disrupts cellular mechanisms.
• Calculate the equivalent doses of different sources of radiation.
• Describe how radiation can impact foetal development and produce carcinogenic effects on the body.

• Protection and Operational Quantities.
• Individual Monitoring.
• Introduction to Radiobiology.
• Radiation-Induced Cell Death Processes and Measurement.
• Introduction to the Effects of Radiation on the Body.
• Impact of Radiation of Systems: Full Body and Foetal Development.
• Carcinogenic Effects of Radiation.

Both acquiring a job and promotion in all industries is now extremely competitive and often driven by qualifications. The graduates of this course will hold a micro-credential, showing they hold an aptitude for the fundamentals of radiobiology and dose metrics which may benefit their career progression.

This micro-credential has been developed by experts in the field of radiation safety with up-to-date information in a fast-moving and highly regulated field.

This micro-credential is designed to be completed independently, in your own time. We call this asynchronous learning which we hope can empower potential students who may be working already in industry or working in part-time jobs with moving hours to be able to fit this course into their schedule. The course is made up of a series of interactive online lectures, which are complemented by online resources such as papers, videos, and transcripts of the lessons. 

This course is 2.5 ECTS and takes approx. 6 weeks to complete.

• BSc Radiography, BSc Radiation Therapy or equivalent.
• BSc Physics or equivalent.
• An individual named on the General Register of the Medical Council or on the Register of the UK General Medical Council.
• An individual named on the Register of Dentists held by the Dental Council of Ireland or on the Dentists Register of the UK General Dental Council.
• Nurses registered with an Bord Altranais.
• An individual named on the Register of the Veterinary Council of Ireland or on the Register of Members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
• An individual named on the CORU register of health professionals.
• A good standard of education (minimum of Leaving Certificate or equivalent) with evidence of ongoing training in the area of Radiation Safety and professional experience in a field utilising ionising radiation and operating under current legislation (SI 256 / SI30 for diagnostic exposures or international equivalent).

The following should also apply:

• Be currently employed in a facility which uses ionising radiation within the State regulated and licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency of Ireland or within similarly regulated and licensed facilities internationally.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) within the realms of radiation protection.
• Be computer literate and have continuous internet access for the duration of the programme.
• Possess a good standard of English (proof of accredited English language study certificate may be needed). Details of English language requirements can be found here.

• 20 Question MCQ exam of 30 minutes in length.

•  Feedback individually to students, post-assessment.

Related micro-credentials that might be of interest to you include Radiation Physics and Detection and Radiation in the Workplace and Legislation.

If you have any questions about this micro-credential, or would like to speak to a UCD staff member, please contact (opens in a new window)microcredentials@ucd.ie.

Please note: Learners can avail of only one form of funding per application. 

Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy-Human Capital Initiative Pillar 3

The HCI Pillar 3 Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy has been introduced to enable more learners to address critical skills gaps and engage with lifelong learning through micro-credentials. The HCI Pillar 3 Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy is funded by Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. 

HCI Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidies are available on identified micro-credentials only and in fixed numbers from March 2024 until October 2025.  

Please see Eligibility Criteria for further information.