RADIATION LABORATORY SKILLS - 2021/2
Module code: PHYM036
Module Overview
The module will provide students with practical skills and background knowledge needed to work in a radiation laboratory. Laboratory sessions are designed to provide the student with practical experience in handling radioactive substances, detectors and instrumentation.
Module provider
Mathematics & Physics
Module Leader
PODOLYAK Zsolt (Physics)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 7
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 99
Laboratory Hours: 45
Guided Learning: 6
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
Lecturer
Title
Lab
Hours
Prof W N Catford
Dr S Pani
Prof Z Podolyák
Dr C Shanton-Taylor
Scripted experiments that students undertake in pairs, one per week. Students undertake 8 one week experiments. These will be preceeded by radiation safety talks and completion of the necessary paperwork.
48
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Practical based assessment | LAB REPORT 1 | 34 |
| Practical based assessment | LAB REPORT 2 | 33 |
| Practical based assessment | LAB REPORT 3 | 33 |
Alternative Assessment
None.
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of concepts behind Radiation Laboratory Skills, both in term of the understanding of the laboratory equipment and understanding of the physics behind the experiments.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
3 formal laboratory reports (10 pages each)- The assessment of 3 marked laboratory experimental reports from work carried out in the radiation laboratory which makes up 100% of the total module mark (34%, 33%, 33%). One report should be submitted by Tuesday 16.00 of week 8 and two further reports by 16.00 on Tuesday of week 12 in Semester 1
Formative assessment and feedback
The formal laboratory reports will be marked and commented upon. In addition the students get feedback, in form in help with the experiments and explanation of physics, during the laboratory exercises.
Module aims
- To provide the student with the comprehensive understanding of the experimental use of radioactive materials, radiation counting, spectroscopy equipment, dosimetry measurements and standard radiation experimental techniques.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Systematic understanding of the fundamental processes involved with the interaction of X- and gamma-ray photons, charged particles and neutrons with matter | |
| 002 | Critical analysis and self-directed problem solving of the practical aspects of handling radioactive substances and the ability to extract qualitative and quantitative information about the emitted radiations | |
| 003 | Understand basic evaluation of experimental data using standard statistical methods | |
| 004 | Confidence in handling radioactive materials | |
| 005 | Application of statistical analysis techniques to specialised radiometric data through appropriate software tools | |
| 006 | Application of skills in an experimental context for the measurement for various radiation emissions in terms of both dosimetry and spectroscopy | |
| 007 | Maintain a laboratory diary at a level appropriate of a professional scientist | |
| 008 | Critically analyse and summarise data | |
| 009 | Provide concise and accurate reporting of findings, including limitations resulting from an appreciation of equipment capability and the availability of calibration standards |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
Laboratory-based experimental work. 48 hours in the laboratory, performing 8 experiments (6 hours each).
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PHYM036
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics MSc | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Radiation and Environmental Protection MSc | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Nuclear Science and Applications MSc | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.