Radiation biology, protection and applications
Summary
This is an introductory course in radiation physics that aims at providing students with a foundation in radiation protection and with information about the main applications of radioactive sources/substances in the industry. The course includes presentations, lecture notes and problem sets.
Content
- Radioactivity and interactions of ionising radiation in matter
- Health effects of ionising radiation
- Dosimetry and population exposure
- Space radiation dosimetry
- Radioisotope production using reactors and accelerators
- Industrial applications: radiation gauges, tracer techniques, radioisotope batteries, radiation imaging, radiography, etc.
- Applications in research: dating by nuclear methods, applications in environmental and life sciences, etc.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Explain the origin ionising radiation and give a few examples of the origin of neutron radiation.
- Explain interactions of ionising radiations in matter.
- Explain biological/health effects of the ionising radiations
- Explain the principles of dosimetry
- Explain population’s exposure and cite exposure levels
- Explain the principles of radiation protection, cite the dose limits
- Explain the concept of risk
- Describe the protection means for external and internal exposure
- Explain radiation shielding and give examples
- Explain the use of radiation in industrial and research applications.
- Explain exposure to the general population and cite exposure levels
- Explain the origin of ionising radiation
- Explain interactions of ionising radiation in matter.
- Explain biological/health effects of the ionising radiation
- Design appropriate radiation shielding for a given source or application
Assessment methods
Written, Multiple Choice Question exam
Resources
Bibliography
Handouts will be distributed
- James E. Martin, "Physics for Radiation Protection", Wiley-VCH (2nd edition, 2006)
- G.C. Lowenthal, P.L. Airey, "Practical Applications of Radioactivity and Nuclear Reactions", Cambridge University Press (2001)
- K.H. Lieser, "Nuclear and Radiochemistry", Wiley-VCH (2nd edition, 2001)
Ressources en bibliothèque
- Physics for Radiation Protection / Martin
- Nuclear and Radiochemistry / Lieser
- Practical Applications of Radioactivity and Nuclear Reactions / Lowenthal
Moodle Link
In the programs
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Written (winter session)
- Subject examined: Radiation biology, protection and applications
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Written (winter session)
- Subject examined: Radiation biology, protection and applications
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Written (winter session)
- Subject examined: Radiation biology, protection and applications
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Written (winter session)
- Subject examined: Radiation biology, protection and applications
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Written (winter session)
- Subject examined: Radiation biology, protection and applications
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: mandatory