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ERHS 530 Radiological Physics and Dosimetry I

inside a test reactor

Syllabus

Instructor Name: Dr. T. B. Borak
Instructor Contact Information: Thomas.Borak@colostate.edu, 491-6450
Textbook(s): J.E. Turner, Atoms, Radiation and Radiation Protection, Wiley-Interscience (ISBN 0 471-59581-0) (Required)

Outside references for this class:

Course Days: Monday/Wednesday/Friday

Course Prerequisites
Completion of General Physics and Calculus courses

Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Understand the physical processes associated with radioactivity
  • Understand the statistical nature of radioactive decay
  • Understand the interactions of photons and neutrons with matter
  • Understand the interactions of charged particles with matter
  • Understand the fundamental principles of radiation dosimetry
  • Review regulations pertaining to radiation safety
  • Course Requirements
    Homework: Several sets of homework problems will be assigned. Not all problem sets will be collected. Those collected by the instructor will be graded and returned. There may be several short quizzes administered during the course. Quizzes will be graded and returned. Some quizzes may be unannounced. Quiz grades will be included in the homework portion of the overall course grade.
    Assigned Examinations: Two exams (55 minutes duration) and a two-hour final-examination for a total of 400 points.
    Hardware Required: Access to a PC computer
    Software Required: Spreadsheet, Word processor and programs furnished by the instructor
    Grading Policy: Homework/quizzes 30% Exams and Final 70%

    Course Outline and Schedule
    Reading assignments are from Attix (A), Johns and Cunningham (J&C) and Turner (T),. Supplemental readings from Knoll (K) are also listed. Additional materials will be provided by the instructor.

    Date Topic Reading
    Lecture 1 Definition of Radiation J&C: 1.01-1.02, T: 1.1-1.6 , A: p 1-8
    Lecture 2 Atomic and Nuclear Structure J&C: 1.03-1.07 , T: 2.1-2.7, 2.10- 2.11,T: 3.1
    Lecture 3 Definition of Q, Mass Defect

    T: 3.2

    Lecture 4

    Nuclear Decay Schemes J&C: 1.08-1.13, T: 3.3-3.4, A: p86-96
    Lecture 5 Nuclear Decay Schemes

    J&C: 3.06-3.14, T: 3.5-3.8, A: p86-96

    Lecture 6 Radioactivity

    J&C: 3.01-3.05, T: 4.1-4.3, A: 101-103

    Lecture 7 Serial Radioactivity

    J&C: 3.15-3.16, A: p103-112

    Lecture 8 Transient Equilibrium T: 4.4-4.5
    Lecture 9 Statistical Nature of Radioactivity

    J&C: 14.05, T: 11.1-11.8, K: 3.I-3.II

    Lecture 10 Lower Level of Detection T: 11.9-11.10
    Lecture 11 Minimum Detection Limits  
    Lecture 12 Cross Sections and Attenuation Coefficients J&C: 5.01-5.05 , T: 8.1,8.7
    Lecture 13 Indirectly Ionizing Radiation

    J&C: 5.06-5.09, T: 8.2-8.4,8.8 K: 2.III

    Lecture 14 Photon Interactions in Matter

    J&C: 5.10-5.13, T: 8.5-8.6, A: p124-157

    Lecture 15 Photon Interactions in Matter J&C: 6.01-6.09
    Lecture 16 Review for Examination I  
    Lecture 17 Examination I  
    Lecture 18 Neutron Interactions

    T: 9.1-9., K: 2.IV

    Lecture 19 Neutron Cross Sections

    T: 9.4, A: p463-468

    Lecture 20 Neutron Energy Loss

    T: 9.5-9.6

    Lecture 21 Fission

    J&C: 3.17, 3.20, T: 9.9-9.11

    Lecture 22 Directly Ionizing Radiation J&C: 6.11
    Lecture 23 Interaction of Heavy Ions with Matter T: 5.1-5.12
    Lecture 24 Interaction of Heavy Ions with Matter

    K: 2.I, A: 160-164

    Lecture 25 Interaction of Electrons with Matter J&C: 6.12-6.16
    Lecture 26 Interaction of Electrons with Matter

    T: 6.1-6.7, K: 2.II ,A:165-186

    Lecture 27 Radiation Quantities and Units

    J&C: 7.01

    Lecture 28 Radiation Quantities and Units

    T: 12.1-12.2, K: 2.V , A: p20-36

    Lecture 29 Principles of Radiation Dosimetry

    J&C: 7.02, A: p264-290, A: P154-157, A: p187-195

    Lecture 30 Charged Particle Equilibrium

    J&C: 7.03, A: p61-75

    Lecture 31 Gamma-Ray Exposure Constant

    J&C: 7.15, T: 12.9, pp. 368-70

    Lecture 32

    Review for Examination II

     
    Lecture 33

    Examination II

     
    Lecture 34 Meas. of Radiation by Ionization

    J&C: 7.04, A: p292-343

    Lecture 35 Bragg-Gray Theory

    T: 12.4 , A: p231-259

    Lecture 36 General Cavity Theory J&C: 7.05
    Lecture 37 Production of X-rays

    J&C: Ch. 2

    Lecture 38

    X-ray Machines

     
    Lecture 39 Dosimetry of X-rays J&C Ch.8
    Lecture 40 Natural Background Radiation J&C Sect. 15.03
    Lecture 41 Natural Background Radiation

    T. Sect 4.5, 1.5

    Lecture 42 Radiation Protection Standards T. Ch. 14
    Lecture 43 Radiation Protection Standards T. Ch. 14
    Lecture 44 Review  
      Final Examination  

    Cheating will not be tolerated. The first time you are caught cheating you will get a ZERO for the task (exam, quiz, plagiarism on a paper or any other task). Integrity is the cornerstone of all health physics and any infraction, however slight, is not excusable for any reason. If another is found to be complicit in cheating, they too will receive a zero. If you are discovered to be cheating a second time you will receive a failing grade for the class. The Course Director will make the determination if a student has been cheating.

    Mailing Address

    Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences
    1681Campus Delivery
    Colorado State University
    Fort Collins, CO 80523
    Phone: (970) 491-7038
    Fax: (970) 491-2940
    Email: ERHSDepartment