Certificate
Medical Linear Accelerator Service — Basic
An 24-credit certificate that builds the foundation for linac service work: therapy beam production, waveguides and RF drive chains, klystron/magnetron and modulator high-voltage systems, beam transport and multi-leaf collimators, safety interlock chains, and the preventive maintenance and documentation a therapy department depends on. The last two courses cover advanced troubleshooting and diagnostics, then inspection, regulations and compliance.
Outcomes
What you will be able to do
- 01Explain therapeutic photon and electron beam production end to end
- 02Service RF, waveguide, and modulator subsystems safely
- 03Maintain beam transport, collimation, and MLC assemblies
- 04Verify interlock chains and radiation safety circuits
- 05Perform scheduled preventive maintenance and keep compliant records
Careers
Where graduates work
- Linac service technician
- Radiation oncology equipment technician
- Therapy field service engineer
Curriculum
Term 1
Radiation Therapy Physics & Linac Fundamentals
Therapeutic beam production, electron and photon modes, dose delivery concepts, and linac subsystem overview.
RF & Microwave Systems for Linacs
Waveguides, circulators, RF drive chains, accelerating structures, AFC loops, and microwave measurement safety.
Term 2
Klystron/Magnetron, Modulator & High-Voltage Power
Pulse-forming networks, thyratrons, solid-state modulators, HV power supplies, arc detection and safe discharge.
Beam Transport, Collimation & Multi-Leaf Collimators
Bending magnets, steering and focusing coils, target and flattening filters, ion chambers, jaws and MLC service.
Term 3
Safety Interlocks, Calibration & Preventive Maintenance
Interlock chains, door and beam-off circuits, dosimetry calibration support, PM procedures and machine logs.
Regulations, Record-and-Verify Systems & Field Service
NRC/state rules, R&V systems, service documentation, vendor escalation, and certification exam review.
Term 4
Advanced Troubleshooting and Board-Level Diagnostics
This course builds upon foundational knowledge to equip students with expert-level skills in diagnosing and resolving complex issues in medical linear accelerators. It emphasizes systematic troubleshooting, in-depth circuit analysis, and informed repair strategies.
Inspection, Regulations and Compliance
This course covers the critical regulatory and compliance aspects for medical linear accelerators, ensuring students can maintain equipment safely and meet industry standards.
Ready to begin? One click adds all 8 courses to your student portal.