PHYSICS 7560 - Radioactivity, Radiation Detection & Dosimetry
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2023
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code PHYSICS 7560 Course Radioactivity, Radiation Detection & Dosimetry Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences Term Semester 1 Level Postgraduate Coursework Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 4 hours per week (weeks 1-6) plus 2-week intensive practicals Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Corequisites PHYSICS 7561 Assessment Assignments, practical reports, examination Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr James McEvoy-May
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate a knowledge of fundamental aspects of radiation physics, including the structure of the atom, radioactive decay, applications of radiation and the natural decay series, and compare the concepts of energy deposition during interactions of radiation and matter.
2. Demonstrate a knowledge of radiation detections techniques across different emission types of radiation, including Alpha, Beta and Gamma, and describe the use of specific techniques across different workforces.
3. Explain basic mathematical concepts and modelling strategies relating to radiation dosimetry and radiation science.
4. Engage in lab-based practicals based on content delivered through the course including radioactivity, detection, and personal dosimetry.University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1-4 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1-4 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
4 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
2-4 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
2-4 Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
1-3 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The course material for the 12 Topics is delivered online via MyUni. Students will work through 2 topics per week (4 hrs of recorded lectures) and prepare answers to assignment questions.
There are also compulsory residential lab-based components which will occur in person at the 成人大片 at the end of the semester.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A student should expect to spend on average 8 hours per week on the theoretical study. This includes both the formal contact time required for the course (e.g., lectures and assignments), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision). Then the final lab-based intensive week will encompass lab practicals, related assignments, the exam, and any related revision, and thus students should expect to spend approximately 60 hours on this content.Learning Activities Summary
The course content will include the following:
1. Atomic and nuclear structure
2. Mathematical concepts
3. Radioactivity
4. Interaction of radiation with matter
5. Energy deposition - Part 1
6. Energy deposition – Part 2
7. Applications of radiation and radioactivity
8. Uranium, Thorium, and Radon
9. Alpha particle spectrometry
10. Beta and Gamma detection and spectrometry
11. Radiation dosimetry
12. Computer modelling of radiation doseSpecific Course Requirements
Attendance is compulsory at all scheduled practical laboratories. The practicals will be scheduled over 1 week, to allow remote learners the opportunity to complete all practicals in an intensive style program. Some of the learning outcomes are dependent on laboratory experience and practice. Therefore, missing any practical class or failing to submit a reasonable attempt at any practical report in a semester will result in a grade of FAIL being recorded for the course. Students with medical or compassionate reasons for non-attendance will be given an opportunity to compensate for missed practical sessions. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome Assignment Formative and Summative Week 3 and 5 30% LO1, 2, and 3 Practical Report Summative Exam week 1 30% LO4 Exam Summative Exam week 1 40% LO1, 2, and 3 Assessment Detail
Assignments (30%)
Students will complete two assignment on topics specific to the topics covered in this course. One on radioactivity and energy deposition (15%) and one on radiation detection (15%). Each assignment may consist of short and long answer questions.
Practicals (30%)
Students will complete 4 x 4 hour practicals in person in the School of Physical Sciences advanced undergraduate laboratories and the Prescott Environmental Luminescence Group laboratories at the 成人大片. Attendance at these practicals is compulsory. Students will complete a practical report (20%) and their practical lab book will be assessed (10%). Students will be provided with sample reports or rubrics with guidelines on report structure and approximate length.
Exam (40%)
The final 3-hour examination will assess all the components of the course. It may consist of multiple choice, short-answer, and/or long-answer questionsSubmission
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
