HPS102 RAD102Syllabus

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HPS/RAD 102 - Radiation Science
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Department of Health Physics
Spring 2003

Prerequisites: MAT 124 or consent of instructor
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: 3
Class Time: Mondays, 4-6:45 pm
Class location: BHS 135
Faculty: Mark Rudin
Office: BHS 347
Phone: 895-3299 (office)
e-mail: mrudin@ccmail.nevada.edu
895-4320 (department)
895-4819 (FAX)

Course Description: Principles of radiation science and safety including interactions of radiation
with matter, radiation quantities and protection standards, dosimetry, radioactive decay, and
biological effects of radiation.

Objectives: The student is expected to gain an understanding of principles associated
with radiation science and safety. The student is expected to gain the ability to perform the
activities listed below, which are examples of routine tasks in professional and academic practice
of radiation science.

1. Explain the structure of matter with special emphasis on the composition, stability, and
energy levels of atomic nuclei.

2. Explain the various modes of radioactive decay.

3. Explain the various interactions with matter, with special emphasis on photoelectric,
Compton, charge particles, and pair production interactions.

4. Demonstrate the utilization of basic mathematical operations including logarithms and
exponential functions used in radioactive decay kinetics.

5. Explain ICRP/NCRP recommendations and governmental regulations regarding exposure
and radioactive material handling and the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable)
concept.

6. Explain the basic principles of radiation detection and dosimetry.

7. Explain chemical and biological effects of radiation.
HPS 102/RAD 102 Page 2
Spring 2003

8. Identify administrative and technical means of reducing unnecessary radiation exposure
to the patient, personnel, self, general public, and the environment.

9. Explain posting requirements in designated radioactive area to comply with governmental
regulations.

Topical Outline

I. Definition of Radioactivity
A. Radioactive decay
B. Types of radiations

II. Atomic and Nuclear Structure
A. Nucleus/electron cloud configuration
B. Characteristics (mass, charge, etc.) of electrons, protons, and neutrons
C. Definitions of nuclide and radionuclide
D. Designation of a nuclide
E. Definitions of isotope, isotone, isobar, and isomer
F. Influence of neutron/proton ratio (n/p ratio) on nuclear stability
1. Four basic forces of nature
2. N/P ratio curve
3. Line of stability
4. High vs. low n/p ratios

III. Classification of Radionuclides that Exist in Nature
A. Those belonging to the three decay chains or series
1. Uranium series
2. Thorium series
3. Actinium series
B. Those belonging to elements 1-82
C. Those that are continuously produced
D. Those that are artificially produced

IV. Types and Energies of Radiations Emitted
A. Definition of the electron volt
B. Characteristics of the alpha particle, beta particle, photons, and neutrons

V. Modes of Decay
A. Alpha decay
1. Parent/daughter examples
2. Definition of Q-value
3. Recoil of daughter nucleus/conservation of momentum
HPS 102/RAD 102 Page 3
Spring 2003

B. Beta decay
1. Negatron emission
a. nuclear transitions
b. radiations emitted from the atom
c. examples

2. Positron emission
a. nuclear transitions
b. radiations emitted from the atom
c. examples

3. Electron capture
a. nuclear transitions
b. radiations emitted from the atom
- characteristic x-rays
- Auger electrons
C. Gamma decay
1. Isomeric transition
2. Internal conversion
a. conversion electrons
b. e/ ratio
c. characteristic x-rays/Auger electrons

VI. Interactions of Charged Particles With Matter
A. Definition of excitation and ionization
B. Definition of w-value, specific ionization, stopping power, and linear
energy transfer (LET)
C. Influence of charge and velocity on particle interactions
D. Possible interactions along the particle track
E. Definition of path length, range, and scattering
F. Ultimate fate of alpha particles in matter
G. Ultimate fate of beta particles (negatrons and positrons) in matter
H. Ultimate fate of photons in matter
I. Bremmstrahlung

VII. Interactions of Photons with Matter
A. Photoelectric effect
B. Compton effect
C. Pair production
HPS 102/RAD 102 Page 4
Spring 2003

VIII. Interactions of Neutrons with Matter
A. Elastic scattering
1. Distribution of energy among neutron/nucleus
2. Examples
B. Inelastic scattering
1. Distribution of energy among neutron/nucleus
2. Examples

IX. Rate of Radioactive Decay
A. Definition and units of variables in A = N
1. Activity (A)
a. Conversion between Curie (Ci) and dps
b. Becquerel (Bq)
2. Decay constant (l)
3. Number of atoms (N)
B. Derivation of A = N
C. Sample problems using A = N
D. Definition of variables and their units in the basic decay equation, A =
Aoe-t
E. Mathematical operations including logarithms and exponential functions
F. Sample problems using the basic decay law
E. Half-life and mean-life
F. What e-t and 1 - e-t represent.

X. Radiation Quantities and Protection Standards
A. Role of ICRP, NCRP, NRC, DOE, and Agreement States in setting
radiation protection standards
B. Definitions of absorbed dose, quality factor, and dose equivalent
C. Definitions of tissue weighting factors (wT), effective dose equivalent
(EDE), committed effective dose equivalent (CEDE), shallow dose
equivalent, deep dose equivalent, and total effective dose equivalent
D. ICRP/NCRP/NRC/Agreement State annual limits for radiation workers -
whole body, individual organs, skin/extremities, and lens of the eye
E. ICRP/NCRP/NRC/Agreement State annual limits for
minors and the general public

XI. Radiation Detection
A. Detectors based on gas ionization
1. charge creation and collection
2. sketch of generic gas ionization detector
3. counters vs. meters vs. room monitors
4. sources of background radiation
HPS 102/RAD 102 Page 5
Spring 2003

5. gross counts minus background equals net counts
6. Geiger-Mueller detectors
7. ionization chambers (Cutie Pie)
8. Workplace surveys
B. Detectors based upon scintillation
1. signal collection
2. sketch of generic scintillation detector
C. Concepts of geometry and detector efficiency
D. Types and proper uses of radiation dosimeters
1. pocket dosimeters
2. ring and whole body film badges
3. thermoluminescent dosimeters
E. Review and maintenance of accumulative dose records

XII. Biological Effects of Radiation
A. Cellular level
1. Direct effects
2. Indirect effects
a. radiolysis of water
b. formation and characteristics of free radicals
c. effect of O2 on radiosensitivity of the cell
3. Effects of radiation on the DNA molecule
4. Characteristics of cell survival curves
5. Relative biological effectiveness
6. Law of Bergonie and Tribondeau
7. Relative radiosensitivities and responses of various cell/tissue
types
B. High-level, acute effects - Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS)
1. Effect on blood components
2. Effect on GI tract
3. Effect on CNS
4. On-set of symptoms and treatment of ARS
C. Dose-effect relationships
1. Stochastic effects
2. Non-stochastic (deterministic) effects
3. Principle of radiation protection (ALARA)
D. Low-level, chronic effects
1. cancer
2. cataracts
3. life-span shortening
4. somatic effects
5. genetic effects (Genetically significant dose (GSD)
HPS 102/RAD 102 Page 6
Spring 2003

E. Radiation effects on the embryo/fetus
1. Relative sensitivity of the gestation period
2. Microencephaly and mental retardation
3. NRC Regulatory Guide 8.13 - Instruction Concerning Prenatal
Radiation Exposure

XIII. Radiation Protection
A. Internal versus external radioactive hazards
B. Time
1. Strategies to reduce time around radioactive sources
2. Concept of collective dose
C. Distance
1. Definition of exposure
2. Relationship between exposure and dose in air and tissue
3. Specific gamma constant
4. Inverse square law
5. Strategies to increase distances from radioactive sources
6. Problems
D. Shielding
1. Derivation of I = Ioe-x
2. Definition of quantities and units in I = Ioe-x
3. Attenuation coefficient
a. dependence on photon energy
b. dependence on atomic number of medium
c. mass attenuation coefficient
d.  vs. energy curve for Pb
e. problems
4. Half-value layer
4. Strategies to reduce radiation exposure utilizing shielding

XIV. Radiation Posting Requirements
A. Radiation Area
B. High Radiation Area
C. Very High Radiation Area
HPS 102/RAD 102 Page 7
Spring 2003

Teaching Strategies: Lectures, reading assignments, in-class problem sets, and quizzes.

Evaluation Methods: Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of course
objectives by completing the following activities:

Examination #1 (100 pts.)
Examination #2 (100 pts.)
Quizzes (50 pts.)
Final Examination (100 pts.)

Examinations #1 & #2 will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and problem questions and
will cover the material in weeks 2-5 and 7-9 of the Spring 2003 semester, respectively. Quizzes
will be daily on those days with no examinations for a total of 10 quizzes (10 quizzes @ 5 pts.
each = 50 pts). They will be administered at the beginning of class and will last for 5 minutes.
No make up quizzes will be given. The final examination will also consist of multiple choice,
short answer, and problem questions and will cover weeks 11-15 of the Spring 2003 semester. A
portion of the Final Examination may be comprehensive. Students must take each examination
at the scheduled time. If a student is unable to take the examination at the scheduled time, they
must contact the course instructor in writing in advanced to inform him that they will need to
take the examination early. No examinations may be taken after the scheduled time. If a student
has not taken an examination by the scheduled time, they will be given a zero grade for that
examination. Reviews may cover each objective test.

Required Texts: None

Grading Scale: 94-100 = A 77-79 = C+
90-93 = A- 73-78 = C
87-89 = B+ 70-72 = C-
83-88 = B 60-69 = D
80-82 = B- <60 = F

Incomplete: An incomplete grade can be granted when a student has satisfactorily completed at
least three-fourths of the semester but for reason(s) beyond the student's control, and acceptable
to the instructor, cannot complete the last part of the course; and the instructor believes that the
student can finish the course without repeating it. A student who receives an "I" is responsible
for making up whatever work was lacking at the semester. The incomplete must be made up
before the end of the following regular semester. If course requirements are not completed
within the time indicated, a grade of "F" will be recorded and the GPA will be recomputed
accordingly. Students who are making up an incomplete do not re-register for the course, but
make individual arrangements with the instructor who assigned the "I."
HPS 102/RAD 102 Page 8
Spring 2003

Disability Policy: If you have a documented disability that may require assistance, you will need
to contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) for coordination in your academic
accommodations. The DRC is located in the Reynolds Student Services complex in Room 137.
The DRC phone is 895-0866 (TDD 895-0652).

Tentative Schedule of Topics – Spring 2003

Date Topic
Week 1 No Class – Martin Luther King Day

Week 2 Introduction; Definition of Radioactivity; Atomic And
Nuclear Structure; Classification of Radionuclides

Week 3 Types and Energies of Radiations Emitted; Modes of
Decay

Week 4 Modes of Decay

Week 5 No Class – President’s Day

Week 6 Examination #1

Week 7 Interaction of Radiation with Matter

Week 8 Interaction of Radiation with Matter/Decay Kinetics

Week 9 Decay Kinetics

Week 10 Examination #2

Week 11 Decay Kinetics/ Radiation Quantities and Protection
Standards