HP 6403 Radiological Health I
Offered Every Fall

Credit Hours: 3-0-3
Prerequisites: MATH 2403 or equivalent, or with the consent of the instructor
Course Description: Applied nuclear and atomic physics; radioactive decay; and radiation interactions; radiation dosimetry and safety guidelines; instrumentation; radiation protection; and basics of criticality safety.
Textbook:
 		 Herman Cember, Introduction to Health Physics, McGraw-Hill,
Instructor: Nolan E. Hertel, Chris Wang (Fall 2003)
Reference:
 		 Atoms, Radiation and Radiation Protection, J. Turner, Wiley Interscience, 1995.

Prerequisite by Topic: Math through Ordinary Differential Equations, Graduate Standing.

Objectives: Introduce the student to the fundamentals of health physics, external radiation protection and radiological safety.

Topics:
1. Atomic Structure and X-rays
2. Nuclear Structure and Reactions
3. Radioactive Decay
4. Radioactive Transformation Kinetics
(including serial decay)
5. Interaction of Radiation with Matter
Charged Particles
Gamma Rays
Neutrons
6. Radiation Dosimetry
7. Radiation Safety Guidelines
Organizations
Radiation Protection Philosophy/Dose
Limitations
Basic Radiation Safety Criteria
U.S. Regulatory Programs
8. Health Physics Instrumentation
Introduction
Dose Measuring Instruments
Neutron Measurements
Calibration
Counting Statistics
9. External Radiation Protection
Principles
Shielding
X-ray Shielding
Neutrons
10. Criticality Safety

Evaluation:

1. Midterm Exams (2)
2. Homework
3. Final Exam

Performance Criteria:

 

Prepared by: Nolan E. Hertel
Date: 2/25/97

 

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Revised July 2004