Radioactivity and Radiation Interactions (PHYS*3170)

Code and section: PHYS*3170*01

Term: Fall 2022

Instructor: Ralf Gellert

Details

Course Information

Instruction

Lecturer Office Email
Ralf Gellert  MacN 450 rgellert@uoguelph.ca

Class Meetings

Day Time Location
Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:30a – 12:50p MCKN 309

Course Description

This course introduces the student to concepts in radiation physics with underlying emphasis on its practical application in medical physics. Topics include: atomic and nuclear structure, introduction to different types of radiation and their reaction mechanisms, natural and artificially generated radioisotopes, the interaction of radiation with matter, radioactive decay processes, human dosimetry calculations and external radiation shielding. This course is meant to provide the student with the capacity to carry out calculations in this field and provide context to material taught in upper level physics courses.

Prerequisites

(1 of IPS*1510, Math*1210, Math*2080) and (Math*2170 or Math*2270)

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you should be familiar with:

  • Basics of nuclear physics that explains natural occurring and artificially produced radioactive elements and their decay mechanisms
  • The different types of radiation and their interaction with matter and living cells
  • The concepts and application of dose and exposure to assess and quantify the damaging effects of radiation on cells and organisms 
  • Applications of nuclear physics in medicine (diagnosis and treatments) and science
  • Solve numerical problems related to nuclear physics

Course Materials

Textbook

James E. Turner, “Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection”, 3rd ed., John Wiley & Sons, 2007. The textbook can be used as supporting reading material during the course; however, the course will not follow the order of the material. This text is available electronically as an ebook through the library website, search primo for Turner and radiation. 

Evaluation

Component Weight
Online Quizzes 10%
Assignments 30%
Midterm Exam 30%
Final Exam 30%

The weekly short online quizzes will probe the material discussed throughout the semester and ask you to briefly explain major points of the previous lectures in your own words. The 5 assignments will be posted on the courselink site typically 10 days before the due date. Your work can be handed in as papers or as one merged pdf file through a dropbox folder. Late assignments will be deducted 10% per day. No assignments can be accepted after the posting of the solutions typically 2 days after the due date. Contact the instructor well in advance if your submission is delayed due to excusable circumstances.

Midterm and Final Exam

The midterm and final exams will be in person. Only under justifiable circumstances a remote exam through respondus at the same time slot will be considered. The midterm date is coordinated with all other third- and fourth-year courses and is foreseen to be on Tuesday, Oct on Oct, 25, during class. The date for the final exam is TBD. 
Both the midterm and final exam will be closed book. You will be provided with an equation sheet in advance, and you are allowed to prepare one letter sized (both sides),handwritten cheat sheet. Usual non-programmable pocket calculators are permitted. 

If you miss the midterm exam due to illness or compassionate reasons, you need contact the instructor. See your Program Counsellor if you require assistance. If you miss the final examination, see your Program Counsellor. Please refer to “Process for Academic Consideration and Appeals” in the 2021/22 Undergraduate Calendar.

Schedule

The following schedule provides a rough guide of the material covered during the semester.  

Week Content
Week 1 Introduction, nuclear physics and binding energy
Week 2 Coulomb barrier, decay modes
Week 3 Decay chains
Week 4 Interaction of charged particles with matter
Week 5 Interaction of photons (x-rays, \(\gamma\)) with matter, x-ray tubes, shielding
Week 6 Energy fluence, dose
Week 7 Interaction of neutrons with matter
Week 8 Dosimetry
Week 9 Microdosimetry
Week 10 Equivalent and effective dose
Week 11 Application of nuclear physics in medical diagnostics and treatment
Week 12 Reviews before midterms and finals

It is required to regularly check the Courselink webpage, where quizzes, lecture material, notes, assignments and solutions and further materials or announcements are posted. The typical weekly short quizzes will probe and solidify the main concepts and materials covered in that week. They are intended to entice students to keep up with the course material throughout the semester. 

Course Policies

(Not) Working With Other Students

All work submitted for grading in this course must be each individual student's own work. While students are encouraged to share thoughts and ideas, it is not acceptable to share assignment solutions. The work on the assignments by yourself, i.e. to start filling the blank paper with calculations based on the concepts and examples discussed in the lectures, is an essential step in the solid understanding of the material and crucial as preparation for the exams.

Office Hours

Tentatively, Tuesday 2-3 pm, TBD, the instructor will be available in the office, MacN 450, and through zoom in parallel. Additional meetings, especially before the exams, are planned and can be arranged through email or discussion in the lectures.

Class resources

The course website is on CourseLink Desire to Learn (D2L) website. All students registered in this course have access through their University of Guelph Central Login account. 
Other possible Resources for in-detail discussions:

  • K.S.Krane, “Introductory Nuclear Physics”, 3rd Edition, Wiley, 1987.
  • W. E. Burcham, “Nuclear Physics, An Introduction”, 2nd edition, Longmans, 1973.
  • C. M. Lederer and V.S. Shirley, “Table of Isotopes”, 7th (or 6th) edition, Wiley, 1978.
  • H. Cember, “Introduction to Health Physics”, 2nd edition, McGraw-Hill, 1992.
  • H. E. Johns and J. R. Cunningham, “The Physics of Radiology”, 4th edition, Charles C. Thomas, 1983.
  • N. A. Dyson, “X-rays in Atomic and Nuclear Physics”, 2nd edition, Cambridge University Press, 1990.
  • E. J. Hall and A. J. Giaccia, “Radiobiology for the Radiologist”, 7th (or 5th and 6th) edition, Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2012.

Accessibility

The University of Guelph is committed to creating a barrier-free environment. Providing services for students is a shared responsibility among students, faculty and administrators. This relationship is based on respect of individual rights, the dignity of the individual and the University community's shared commitment to an open and supportive learning environment. Students requiring service or accommodation, whether due to an identified, ongoing disability or a short-term disability should contact the Student Accessibility Services as soon as possible. For more information, contact SAS at 519-824-4120 ext. 56208 or email accessibility@uoguelph.ca or see the website: https://wellness.uoguelph.ca/accessibility/ 

Academic Misconduct

The University of Guelph takes a serious view of academic misconduct and will severely penalize students, faculty and staff who are found guilty of offenses associated with misappropriation of others' work, misrepresentation of personal performance and fraud, improper access to scholarly resources, and obstructing others in pursuit of their academic endeavours. Each student is assumed to be familiar with the regulations surrounding academic misconducts, as spelled out in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Course and Instructor evaluation

The Department of Physics requires student assessment of all courses taught by the Department. These assessments provide essential feedback to faculty on their teaching by identifying both strengths and possible areas of improvement. In addition, annual student assessment of teaching provides part of the information used by the Department Tenure and Promotion Committee in evaluating the faculty member's contribution in the area of teaching. 

The Department's teaching evaluation questionnaire invites student response both through numerically quantifiable data, and written student comments. In conformity with University of Guelph Faculty Policy, the Department Tenure and Promotions Committee only considers comments signed by students (online process). Your instructor will see all signed and unsigned comments after final grades are submitted. Written student comments may also be used in support of a nomination for internal and external teaching awards. 

NOTE: No information will be passed on to the instructor until after the final grades have been submitted.

Online Behaviour

Inappropriate online behaviour will not be tolerated. Examples of inappropriate online behaviour include:

  • Posting inflammatory messages about your instructor or fellow students
  • Using obscene or offensive language online
  • Copying or presenting someone else's work as your own
  • Adapting information from the Internet without using proper citations or references
  • Buying or selling term papers or assignments
  • Posting or selling course materials to course notes websites
  • Having someone else complete your quiz or completing a quiz for/with another student
  • Stating false claims about lost quiz answers or other assignment submissions
  • Threatening or harassing a student or instructor online
  • Discriminating against fellow students, instructors and/or TAs
  • Using the course website to promote profit-driven products or services
  • Attempting to compromise the security or functionality of the learning management system
  • Sharing your user name and password
  • Recording lectures without the permission of the instructor

University Statements

COVID-19 Disclaimer

Please note that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may necessitate a revision of the format of course offerings and academic schedules. Any such changes will be announced via CourseLink and/or class email. All University-wide decisions will be posted on the COVID-19 website and circulated by email.  
Illness
The University will not normally require verification of illness (doctor's notes) for fall 2020 or winter 2021 semester courses.  However, requests for Academic Consideration may still require medical documentation as appropriate.

Email Communication

As per university regulations, all students are required to check their e-mail account regularly: e-mail is the official route of communication between the University and its students.

When You Cannot Meet a Course Requirement

When you find yourself unable to meet an in-course requirement because of illness or compassionate reasons please advise the course instructor (or designated person, such as a teaching assistant) in writing, with your name, id#, and e-mail contact. The grounds for Academic Consideration are detailed in the Undergraduate and Graduate Calendars.  

Drop Date

Students will have until the last day of classes to drop courses without academic penalty. The deadline to drop two-semester courses will be the last day of classes in the second semester. This applies to all students (undergraduate, graduate and diploma) except for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Associate Diploma in Veterinary Technology (conventional and alternative delivery) students. The regulations and procedures for course registration are available in their respective Academic Calendars. Undergraduate Calendar - Dropping Courses 

Copies of Out-of-class Assignments

Keep paper and/or other reliable back-up copies of all out-of-class assignments: you may be asked to resubmit work at any time.

Accessibility

The University promotes the full participation of students who experience disabilities in their academic programs. To that end, the provision of academic accommodation is a shared responsibility between the University and the student. When accommodations are needed, the student is required to first register with Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Documentation to substantiate the existence of a disability is required; however, interim accommodations may be possible while that process is underway. Accommodations are available for both permanent and temporary disabilities. It should be noted that common illnesses such as a cold or the flu do not constitute a disability. Use of the SAS Exam Centre requires students to book their exams at least 7 days in advance and not later than the 40th Class Day.

Academic Integrity

The University of Guelph is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, and it is the responsibility of all members of the University community-faculty, staff, and students-to be aware of what constitutes academic misconduct and to do as much as possible to prevent academic offences from occurring. University of Guelph students have the responsibility of abiding by the University's policy on academic misconduct regardless of their location of study; faculty, staff, and students have the responsibility of supporting an environment that encourages academic integrity. Students need to remain aware that instructors have access to and the right to use electronic and other means of detection. Please note: Whether or not a student intended to commit academic misconduct is not relevant for a finding of guilt. Hurried or careless submission of assignments does not excuse students from responsibility for verifying the academic integrity of their work before submitting it. Students who are in any doubt as to whether an action on their part could be construed as an academic offence should consult with a faculty member or faculty advisor. Undergraduate Calendar - Academic Misconduct 

Recording of Materials

Presentations that are made in relation to course work - including lectures - cannot be recorded or copied without the permission of the presenter, whether the instructor, a student, or guest lecturer. Material recorded with permission is restricted to use for that course unless further permission is granted.

Resources

The Academic Calendars are the source of information about the University of Guelph’s procedures, policies, and regulations that apply to undergraduate, graduate, and diploma programs. Academic Calendars