Unit information: Fundamentals of Nuclear Science in 2021/22

Unit name	Fundamentals of Nuclear Science
Unit code	PHYSM0028
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1B (weeks 7 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Springell
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Physics
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This course will give students a solid grounding in nuclear radiation, from the fundamentals of radiative decay to nuclear fission and fusion, with particular focus on those processes used in commercial nuclear reactors.

Students will gain an understanding of the most important types of radiation, why they occur and how they may be detected, with particular focus on the decay chains that are most prominent in the nuclear industry. The mathematical description of radiative flux, intensity and brilliance will be covered in detail.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

1. Calculate the flux and brilliance of radiative sources
2. Describe how to detect the various sources of radiation and how to calculate detection efficiencies,
3. Explain the principles of dose, does limits, dosimetry and commercial uses for radiation
4. Describe the fission and fusion processes and the energies involves in these processes,
5. Demonstrate the role of neutrons and neutronics in the fission process.

Teaching Information

The unit will be taught through a combination of

• asynchronous online materials, including narrated presentations and worked examples
• synchronous group problems classes, workshops, tutorials and/or office hours
• asynchronous directed individual formative exercises and other exercises
• guided, structured reading

Assessment Information

Formative feedback will be provided through problems classes.

Summative feedback:

Written, timed, open-book examination (80%) Online test (20%)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHYSM0028).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.