Course Details in 2021/22 Session

Module Title	LM Nuclear Instrumentation, Radiation Protection, Reactor Systems and the Nuclear Fuel Cycle
School	Physics and Astronomy
Department	Physics & Astronomy
Module Code	03 33140
Module Lead	Dr Paul Norman
Level	Masters Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-62 hours Tutorial-11 hours Guided independent study-127 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module is designed to equip students with a detailed understanding of the ways in which ionising radiation interacts with matter, methods used for detecting radiation and processing the resulting signals, concepts of radiation dosimetry, and the principles of radiological protection based on an understanding of the effects of radiation on biological systems. It includes an introduction to to statistical methodsreactor systems and the nuclear fuel cycle. The module comprises the following components: 23057-01 Particle Detectors (16 lectures) 23057-02 Neutron and Radiation Physics (5 lectures) 23057-03 Nuclear Electronics (6 lectures) 23057-04 Dosimetry (6 lectures) 23057-05 Radiological Protection (12 lectures) 23057-06 Radiation Shielding (5 lectures) 23057-07 Nuclear fuel cycle (6 lectures) 23057-08 Reactor Systems 1 (6 lectures)
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Understand the processes by which the various types of ionising radiation interact with matter and how these can be exploited in detectors; Understand the construction and operation of the principal types of detector used in conventional nuclear physics; Identify appropriate detector systems for particular applications and predict the expected response; Understand the significance of the various stages of nuclear pulse processing, and the principal types of circuitry employed; Know the definitions of basic dosimetric quantities and the differences between them; Understand the significance of charged-particle equilibrium, the Fano theorem and the Bragg-Gray theorem; Be familiar with practical methods of determining dose; Be aware of the different effects (both deterministic and stochastic) of ionising radiation on human populations; Understand the bases of national/international regulations covering work with ionising radiations; Appreciate the importance of statistical techniques in interpreting experimental data; Demonstrate an understanding of the physics and chemistry behind fuel production from ore to final fuel product, including enrichment technology and reprocessing operations at THORP.
Assessment	33140-01 : Examination : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (80%) 33140-02 : Assessed problems : Coursework (20%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Class Test (20%); 2 hours Examination (80%)
Other
Reading List