Syllabus

Course Title	:	Health Physics
Course Code	:	MEPH 569
Credit Hours	:	4 (3 Lectures + 1 Lab)
Prerequisites	:	MEPH 561

Course Description

Physical and biological aspects of the use of ionizing radiation in industrial and academic institutions; physical principles underlying shielding instrumentation; waste disposal; biological effects of low levels of ionizing radiation.

Main Textbook

* Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection. J. E. Turner. Third edition, 2007. Wiley-VCH.

References

* Introduction to health physics. Cember & Johnson		[RA1231.R2 C45 2009]
* University health physics. Belanger		[RA1231.R2 U55 2003]
* Radiation protection in the design of radiotherapy facilities. IAEA		[RA1231.R2 R38 2006]
* An introduction to radiation protection in medicine. Trapp		[R895 .I72 2008]

Teaching Tools

* Computer presentations

* Blackboard

* Transparencies

* Internet online courses

* Group discussions

Assessment

Activity	Weight
Homework	10%
Lab Reports	15%
Exam #1	25%
Exam #2	25%
Final Exam	25%

Grading

Grade	Mark
A+	≥89
A	82-88
B+	75-81
B	68-74
C+	61-67
C	54-60
D+	47-53
D	40-46
F	<40

Laboratory Content

Session	Experiment Title
1.	Measurements of radon exhalation rates from building materials using active and passive techniques
2.	Gamma attenuation coefficient and HVL for shielding materials
3.	Applications of nuclear track detectors in the detection of fast and thermal neutrons
4.	Application of passive and active dosimetry
5.	Wipe testing using liquid scintillators
6.	Calibration of portable survey meters
7.	Shielding design
8.	Radiation detection of alpha emitters

Course Content

Session	Topic
1.	Methods of radiation detection
2.	Ionization in gases
3.	Ionization in semiconductors
4.	Scintillation
5.	Other methods
6.	Neutron detection
7.	Counting radioactive samples
8.	Instrument response
9.	Monte Carlo simulation of radiation transport
10.	Radiation dosimetry – quantities and units
11.	Measurement of exposure
12.	Measurement of absorbed dose
13.	Measurement of x- and gamma-ray dose
14.	Neutron sources and dosimetry
15.	Dose measurements for charged-particle beams
16.	Determination of LET
17.	Dose calculations
18.	Other dosimetric concepts and quantities
19.	Time frame for radiation effects
20.	Physical & chemical changes in irradiated water
21.	Chemical yields in water
22.	Biological effects
23.	Sources of human data
24.	The acute radiation syndrome
25.	Delayed somatic effects
26.	Irradiation of mammalian embryo & fetus
27.	Genetic effects
28.	Dose-response relationships
29.	Factors affecting dose response
30.	Elements of radiation-protection programs
31.	Basic dosimetric quantities
32.	Risk estimates for radiation protection
33.	Exposure limits of the NCRP and ICRP
34.	Probability of causation
35.	Distance, time, and shielding
36.	Gamma-ray shielding
37.	Shielding in x-ray installation
38.	Protection from beta emitters
39.	Neutron shielding
40.	Internal dosimetry & radiation protection
41.	Internal dosimetry methodology and models
42.	Organ activities as functions of time
43.	Specific absorbed fraction & effective energy
44.	Number of transformations in source organs
45.	Metabolic data & intake limits for radionuclides