| LEC # | TOPICS | Readings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course Introduction/Radiation History/Fundamentals of the Atom | Chapters 1, 2.1-2.4, and 2.10. Lecture Notes |
| 2 | Binding Energy and Nuclear Instability | Chapters 3.1 and 3.2. |
| 3 | Binding Energy (cont.) Alpha Decay | Chapter 3.3. |
| 4 | Beta Decay | Chapter 3.4. |
| 5 | Gamma Decay | Chapters 3.5-3.8. |
| 6 | Activity and Exponential Decay | Chapter 4. |
| 7 | Radiological Dating | Lecture Notes |
| 8 | Radiation Interactions: Heavy Charged Particles | Chapter 5. |
| 9 | Exam 1 | |
| 10 | Radiation Interactions: Light Charged Particles | Chapter 6. |
| 11 | Radiation Interactions: Photons | Chapter 8. |
| 12 | Radiation Interactions: Neutrons, Neutron Sources | Chapter 9. |
| 13 | Radiation Detection/Absorbed Dose | Chapters 10 and 12. |
| 14 | Absorbed Dose/Radiation Units | Chapter 12. |
| 15 | Charged Particle Tracks/Radiation Chemistry | Chapters 7 and 13.1-13.5. |
| 16 | Biological Effects/Cell Survival Curves | Chapters 13.6, 13.12, and 3.13. Lecture Notes |
| 17 | Exam 2 | |
| 18 | Reactor Tour | |
| 19 | Background Radiation/Radon | Chapters 4.5-4.6. Lecture Notes |
| 20 | The Radiation Environment in Space | Lecture Notes |
| 21 | Radiation Effects in Materials | |
| 22 | Biological Effects/Radiation Therapy | Chapters 13.7-13.11. |
| 23 | Medical Imaging: PET/SPECT/X Rays | Lecture Notes |
| 24 | "Radiation Controversies": Class Discussion | |
| 25 | Radiation Therapy: Protons | |
| 26 | Radiological Terrorism | Lecture Notes |
Table of Contents
Study Materials
Readings
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This page presents the readings by session, as well as some additional reading materials.
Nuclear Power in Space (PDF) (Courtesy of the U.S. Dept. of Energy.)
Spacecraft Power for Cassini (PDF) (Courtesy of NASA.)
Lecture Notes on "Well Logging" by S. Yip (PDF)
Kehayias, Joseph J., and Silvia Valtueña. "Neutron Activation Analysis Determination of Body Composition." Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care 2 (1999): 453-463.
Halperin, Edward C. "Particle Therapy and Treatment of Cancer." Lancet Oncol 7 (2006): 676-685.
Required Text
Turner, J. E. Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection. 2nd ed. New York, NY: J. Wiley, 1995. ISBN: 9780471595816.
All chapter-based assignments are taken from the Turner text.