This course introduces the physical processes by which nuclear radiation interacts with matter, including with biological systems.
Following on from this background, students will engage in experimental and simulation-based activities designed to develop their expertise in:
- The absorption of, and shielding from, nuclear radiation, including charged particle, neutron and gamma radiation
- Radiation dosimetry
- Radiation detection and measurement
- Industrial and medical applications of nuclear radiation
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Investigate fundamental processes of the interaction of charged and uncharged radiation with matter;
- Evaluate radiation detector types for a range of applications;
- Apply knowledge of radiation types and the biological effects of radiation to interrogate occupational safety risks involved in working near radiation, and formulate approaches for managing such risks;
- Interrogate the type and origin of sources of radiation using knowledge of nuclear data, detector systems, detector responses, signal processing, data acquisition systems, and spectral analysis techniques;
- Differentiate between the wide range of medical and industrial applications that use nuclear radiation.
Other Information
Having the tutorials spread out over the whole semester allows for spending more time in going through course content and relevant calculations, hence the increase to 8 tutorials and decrease in hours of self-directed learning. Three-hour lab sessions are sometimes quite tight, especially with a larger number of students increasing the lab to four hours gives more time to discuss findings and answer questions in detail.
Indicative Assessment
- Examination (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Assignments (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- 15 Minute Oral Presentation (20) [LO 1,3]
- Lab report (30) [LO 1,2,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 12 x 1.5 hours of lectures, 8 x 2 hours of tutorials, and 5 x 4 hours of lab sessions scheduled through the semester.
- Approximately 76 hours of self-directed study which will include preparation for lectures, laboratory sessions in the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility, and other assessment tasks.
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
None specified
Preliminary Reading
- Nuclear Physics – Principles and Applications – John Lilley (Ch. 5-9)
- Introductory Nuclear Physics – Kenneth S. Krane (Ch. 6, 7 and 20)
- Radiation detection and measurement – Glenn F. Knoll (Ch. 1, 2 and 20)
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6720 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2774 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | In Person | View |