| ACTIVITIES | PERCENTAGES |
|---|---|
| Homework | 20% |
| Term Paper | 15% |
| Midterm 1 | 20% |
| Midterm 2 | 20% |
| Final Exam | 25% |
Table of Contents
Syllabus
Syllabus
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Course Description
The course is intended to provide a broad understanding of a wide range of aspects covering the topic of ionizing radiation. These aspects range from physics, chemistry and biology to epidemiology, risk assessment, and public policy. Topics include: radioactive decay; interactions of the different types of radiation with matter; methods of radiation detection; biological effects of radiation exposure; environmental radiation sources on earth and in space. Several of the more controversial aspects of radiation applications will be discussed.
Required Text
Turner, J. E. Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection. 2nd ed. New York, NY: J. Wiley, 1995. ISBN: 9780471595816.
Grading Policy
There will be about 8 problem sets over the course of the semester. Some of the problem sets will include both conventional problems as well as assignments to find papers in the scientific literature on a specific topic and write an abstract describing the paper. There will be two exams and a final exam. All students are required to write a term paper on a topic related to the subjects covered in this course. A list of possible topics will be provided, but students are free to choose their own topic.
The grading scheme for the class is as follows:
Calendar
| LEC # | TOPICS | KEY DATES |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course Introduction/Radiation History/Fundamentals of the Atom | |
| 2 | Binding Energy and Nuclear Instability | |
| 3 | Binding Energy (cont.) Alpha Decay | |
| 4 | Beta Decay | Problem set 1 due |
| 5 | Gamma Decay | |
| 6 | Activity and Exponential Decay | Problem set 2 due |
| 7 | Radiological Dating | |
| 8 | Radiation Interactions: Heavy Charged Particles | Problem set 3 due |
| 9 | Exam 1 | |
| 10 | Radiation Interactions: Light Charged Particles | Term paper topic due |
| 11 | Radiation Interactions: Photons | |
| 12 | Radiation Interactions: Neutrons, Neutron Sources | Problem set 4 due |
| 13 | Radiation Detection/Absorbed Dose | |
| 14 | Absorbed Dose/Radiation Units | Problem set 5 due |
| 15 | Charged Particle Tracks/Radiation Chemistry | |
| 16 | Biological Effects/Cell Survival Curves | Problem set 6 due |
| 17 | Exam 2 | |
| 18 | Reactor Tour | |
| 19 | Background Radiation/Radon | |
| 20 | The Radiation Environment in Space | Term paper abstract due |
| 21 | Radiation Effects in Materials Guest Lecture: Prof. Ballinger | |
| 22 | Biological Effects/Radiation Therapy | |
| 23 | Medical Imaging: PET/SPECT/X Rays | |
| 24 | "Radiation Controversies": Class Discussion | Problem set 7 due |
| 25 | Radiation Therapy: Protons | |
| 26 | Radiological Terrorism | Term paper due |