Schedule and Grading Policy

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals

Department of Physics

PHYS 353

Radiation and Health Physics

Course File

Second Semester (Term 032)

Dr. Rafat M. Nassar

PHYS 353

Radiation and Health Physics

Term 032

Dr. Rafat M. Nassar

Description:

A survey course of safety from nuclear radiation; topics covered include properties of nuclear radiation; statistics; detection methods; neutron detection; relative biological effectiveness; dosimetry; and shielding considerations.

Prerequisite:

PHYS 212 Modern Physics

Objectives:

The student, by the end of the course, will be able to:

1. state the physical processes involved in radioactive decay;
2. describe the principal characteristics of radiation emitted in radioactive decay;
3. describe the various processes by which radiation interacts with matter;
4. explain the concepts of the various dose quantities and units;
5. describe the health effects of radiation;
6. state the ICRP principles of radiation protection; justification, optimization, and dose limits; ALARA;
7. describe and explain the principal methods for the measurement of radioactivity and radiation;
8. outline the principles of area and individual monitoring;
9. describe the basic principles of practical exposure control; and
10. understand and apply the radiation standards and regulations

Instructor:

Dr. Rafat M. Nassar

Office: B-28 R-205

Tel: 4582

Email: rnassar@kfupm.edu.sa

Office hours: TBA

Grading Policy:

o       Homework (10%)

o       Quizzes (10%)

o       Two examinations (40%)

o       Lab experiments (15%)

o       Final examination (25%)

Attendance:

The student is required to attend all classes and experiments.

Textbook:

Turner, J. E., Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection, 2^nd edition, Wiley, New York, 1995.

References:

Cember, H., Introduction to Health Physics, 3^rd edition, McGraw Hill, New York, 1996.

Attix, F. H., Introduction to Radiological Physics and Radiation Dosimetry, Wiley, New York, 1986.

Topics:

Introduction

The history of radiation, definitions, the scope of radiation protection.

The Nucleus and Nuclear Radiation (Chap 3)

Nuclear structure, Nuclear binding energies, Beta decay, Gamma ray emission, Internal conversion, Orbital electron capture, Positron decay.

Radioactive Decay (Chap 4)

Activity, Exponential decay, specific activity, serial radioactive decay, natural radioactivity.

Interaction of Radiation with Matter (Chaps 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9)

Interaction of charged particles with matter

Interaction of photons with matter

Interaction of neutrons with matter

Methods of Radiation Detection (Chap 10)

Gas-filled detectors

Scintillation counters

Semiconductor detectors

New advances

Counting statistics

Standard deviation of counting, background, sample counting, uncertainty and lower limits of detection

Radiation Dosimetry (Chap 12 and Greening)

Dose quantities and units, absorbed dose, equivalent dose, effective dose, collective dose, committed equivalent dose, committed effective dose, kerma, exposure, ALI, DAC, dose calculations.

Personnel Monitoring

Films, TLD, pocket dosimeter, electronic personal dosimeter, new advances.

Biological effects of radiation (Chap 13 and notes)

The cell, effects of radiation, linear energy transfer, molecular effect of irradiation, direct action, radiolysis of water, indirect action, effects on DNA, effects on chromosome, cellular effects of irradiation, cell radiosensitivity, organic damage, somatic effects, genetic effects.

Radiation Shielding (Chap 15)

Types of materials suitable for shielding, half value layer, tenth value layer, shielding methods in medical applications, acceptance testing of shielding

Radiation Protection Regulations (Chap 14)

Standards, ICRP, ICRU, IAEA, ICRP recommendations , National regulations, system of radiation protection, ALARA, radiation protection program, radiation safety manual.

Lab Sessions:

o       Introduction to survey and radiation monitors

o       Determination of half life of some radionuclide

o       Determination of gamma attenuation coefficient and half value layer for some materials

o       Geiger-Mueller counter

o       Attenuation of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation

o       Passive and active dosimeters and reading of TLD cards

o       Radiation protection principles

o       Liquid Scintillation counting

o       Gamma ray spectroscopy using NaI(TI)

o       Gamma ray spectroscopy using high-purity Germanium (HPG) detector

o       Calibration of survey meter

o       X-ray quality assurance

Field trips:

1.      Alshifa Syringe Manufacturing

2.      Schlumberger

3.      King Faisal Specialist Hospital

Schedule:

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