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PHY-20029 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 25 April 2024

PHY-20029 - Radiation Physics
Coordinator: Steven Wye Tel: +44 1782 7 33852
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

In this module students will learn about the characteristics of different types of ionising radiations and their applications. The first part of the module will cover the essential background physics behind the emission and absorption of ionising radiation. This includes both high energy electromagnetic radiation and charged particles, their interaction with matter and techniques used for their detection. This will then be applied to consider the impact of ionising radiation from different sources on both the human body and on the wider environment.
A short case study will be considered on the short and long term effects of ionising radiation resulting from nuclear accidents, such as Chernobyl. Applications of ionising radiations, such as those used in medical physics. will also be investigated. The module will apply aspects of the core physics knowledge gained in other level 4 and 5 modules, in topics such as: atomic, nuclear and quantum physics and electromagnetism.

Aims
To develop a knowledge of the different types of ionising radiations and their properties, to be able to quantify their interaction with matter and to determine how they are detected. This will be applied to the effects of radiation on matter, including their environmental effects and hazards. Applications of ionising radiation will also be covered, including their use within medical physics. The module also aims to develop problem solving and experimental skills in these topics.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/phy-20029/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

1,2
1,2
1,2
1,2
1,2
1,2
1,2
3

Study hours

Lectures - 24 hrs (scheduled)
Tutorial -12 hrs (scheduled)
Laboratory sessions - 18 hours (scheduled)
Laboratory reports - 12 hours (estimated)
Problem Sheets / assignments - 32 hrs (estimated)
Self study and revision - 50 hrs
Final Examination - 2hr

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Unseen Exam weighted 60%
2 hour unseen written examination
Students will answer a number of short compulsory questions, consisting of 40% of the exam mark. A choice of 2 out of 4 long answer questions will also be answered, for a total of 60% of the exam mark. The exam will include a mixture of quantitative, problem solving and written style questions.

2: Problem Sheets weighted 20%
Problem Sheets
Four assignments issued during semester covering aspects of radiation physics and its applications. This will cover a mixture of quantitative and problem solving questions, as well as written style questions.

3: Report weighted 20%
Laboratory work.
Assessment is based on a diary of all work carried out during laboratory sessions plus a formal report (of roughly 1500 words in addition to appropriate data, tables, graphs and captions), based on work recorded in the diary, that describes in more detail the background, design, execution and results of a specific experiment.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 25 April 2024