The detection and analysis of ionising radiation is at the core of monitoring and understanding the radiation environment, be it in nuclear facilities or the general environment. The course will provide practical experience in the use of a variety of detection methods, highlighting their respective strength and weaknesses for different applications.

Mondays and Fridays 14.00-17.00

None

None

Assessment

Oral interviews of 30 min duration after each experiment and a written report on one of the chosen experiments

Reassessment

In accordance with the University's Code of Assessment reassessments are normally set for all courses which do not contribute to the honours classifications. For non honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students, and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions are listed below in this box.

Reassessment of the main diet examination is normally available for students on PGT degree programmes if they do not achieve an overall course grade of C3 at their first attempt. Reassessment of the main diet examination is normally available for students on designated BSc degree programmes if they do not achieve an overall course grade of D3 at their first attempt. Reassessment of the main diet examination is not normally available for students on Honours degree programmes.

Reassessment is not normally allowed, for practical reasons, for any other assessed components of coursework.

The aims of this course are:

a) To familiarise the student with a variety of radiation detection devices

b) To understand the interaction of ionising radiation with matter

c) To evaluate the performance of a radiation detector system

d) To characterise radioactive sources

By the end of this course students will be able to:

a) Operate different radiation detectors in a laboratory environment

b) Analyse and evaluate spectroscopic data obtained by radiation detectors

c) Evaluate the operational limits of a selection of relevant detector solutions

d) Explain the effects the environment can have on the spectra recorded

e) Describe aspects of the interaction of radiation with inanimate matter

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.