PHYSICS 7011 - Nuclear and Radiation Physics

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course is divided into two components; Nuclear Physics and Radiation Physics. Students first receive an introduction to the concepts of nuclear physics including; nuclear systematics, nuclear models, radioactivity, nuclear models, nuclear reactions and applications of nuclear physics. The course then deals with theoretical and applied radiation physics including; interactions of charged particles, interactions of photons, generation of X-rays, attenuation and energy transfer, dosimetric quantities, radiation measurement, and applications in medical physics astrophysics and atmospheric physics.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PHYSICS 7011
    Course Nuclear and Radiation Physics
    Coordinating Unit Physics
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 2 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment Workshop preparation, assignments, final exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Jake Forster

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On completion of this course, students should be able to:

    1. demonstrate a knowledge of fundamental aspects of the structure of the nucleus, radioactive decay, nuclear reactions and the interaction of radiation and matter;
    2. discuss nuclear and radiation physics connection with other physics disciplines – solid state, elementary particle physics, radiochemistry, astronomy;
    3. discuss nuclear and radiation physics applications in medical diagnostics and therapy, energetics, geology, archaeology;
    4. describe experimental techniques used (or developed) for nuclear physics purposes (logic circuits, gamma cameras, semiconductor detectors) and discuss their influence on development of new technologies
    5. explore an application of nuclear and/or radiation physics and communicate their understanding to a group of their peers in a short presentation.

     

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1-4

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    2-4

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    • Williams, W.S.C., Nuclear and Particle Physics, Oxford University Press, 1991
    • Johns, H. E. and J. R. Cunningham, The Physics of Radiology, 4th Edition, CC Thomas: Springfield, 1983
    Recommended Resources
    • Lederer CM and V. S. Shirley, Table of Isotopes, 7th Edition, Wiley, 1978
    • Burcham WE, and M. Jobes, Nuclear and Particle Physics”, Longman, 1995
    • Leo W. R., Techniques for Nuclear and Particle Physics Experiments”, Springer-Verlag, 1994
    • Khan F. M. and A. R. Potish., The Physics of Radiation Therapy, 3rd Edition, Williams and Wilkins, 2003
    Online Learning

    MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/).

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    This course is delivered by the following means:

    • 24 x 1-hour interactive lectures with two sessions per week
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

    Learning Activities Summary
    The course content will include the following:
    Coursework Content

    • Nuclear Physics (50%)
      • Nuclear systematics
      • Nuclear models
      • Radioactivity
      • Nuclear reactions
      • Applications of nuclear physics
    • Radiation Physics (50%)
      • Interactions of charged particles with matter
      • X-ray production
      • Interactions of ionizing photons with matter
      • Radiation quantities and measurement
      • Solar and cosmic radiation
      • Radiation transport with Monte Carlo
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment taskType of assessmentPercentage of total assessment for grading purposesHurdle (Yes/No)Outcome being assessed
    Workshop preparation Formative/Summative 0 to 5% No 1
    Presentation Formative/Summative 5 to 10% No 5
    Assignments Formative/Summative 30% No 1-4
    Final exam Summative 55 to 65% No 1-4
    Assessment Detail

    Lecture Preparation
    Before each lecture, students work through the relevant course material, prepare answers to the embedded questions, and identify aspects which require further explanation. Responses to questions are submitted on line in preparation for each lecture.

    Presentation
    Students prepare a 10 minute presentation (allowing 2-3 minutes for questions) on a nuclear and radiation physics topic. Students also submit a summary of their presentation topic. A component of the mark will be based on interaction during other students' question time.

    Assignments
    The standard assessment consists of 3 assignments.

    Final Exam
    One 2 hour exam is used to assess the understanding of and ability to use the material presented in lectures and provided in the reading handouts.

    Submission

    Submission of Assigned Work

    Coversheets must be completed and attached to all submitted work. Coversheets can be obtained from the School Office (room G33 Physics) or from MyUNI. Work should be submitted via the assignment drop box at the School Office.

    Late submission of assessments

    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.