RADIATION LABORATORY SKILLS - 2025/6
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 (Maths & Phys)
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: 81
Lecture Hours: 6
Laboratory Hours: 50
Guided Learning: 7
Captured Content: 6
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
Scripted experiments that students undertake in pairs, each over two sessions. These will be preceeded by radiation safety talks and completion of the necessary paperwork.
An Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Awareness workshop.
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | LAB REPORT 1 | 34 |
| Coursework | LAB REPORT 2 | 33 |
| Coursework | LAB REPORT 3 | 33 |
| Practical based assessment | EDI Awareness Engagement | Pass/Fail |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
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%).
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.
The assessment of engagement with the EDI Awareness Workshop will be by an open book quiz with unlimited re-attempts, but it must be passed in order to pass the module.
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 | KCP |
| 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 | KCPT |
| 003 | Understand basic evaluation of experimental data using standard statistical methods | KCPT |
| 004 | Confidence in handling radioactive materials | KCPT |
| 005 | Application of statistical analysis techniques to specialised radiometric data through appropriate software tools | KCP |
| 006 | Application of skills in an experimental context for the measurement for various radiation emissions in terms of both dosimetry and spectroscopy | KCP |
| 007 | Maintain a laboratory diary at a level appropriate of a professional scientist | KCPT |
| 008 | Critically analyse and summarise data | KCPT |
| 009 | Provide concise and accurate reporting of findings, including limitations resulting from an appreciation of equipment capability and the availability of calibration standards | KCPT |
| 010 | Recognise benefits of equality, diversity and inclusion and identify causes and effects of unconscious bias | CPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
Laboratory-based experimental work.
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
Other information
The School of Mathematics and Physics is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:
Digital Capabilities: Throughout the module students will engage with complex datasets and will develop their computational skills in analysing this data using dedicated software or their own code.
Employability: The module introduces learners to experimental equipment and techniques used by professional scientists in both industry and academia. Students will learn the relevant health and safety and technical aspects and work together in small groups to perform experiments. They will produce reports a summarising the work. The module, therefore, represents a key opportunity to practise and develop problem solving skills.
Resourcefulness: and Resilience: Problem solving is a key component of this module. Students will be required draw upon individual and collective resourcefulness and develop a problem solving mindset as they work on their experiment.
Global and Cultural Capabilities: The module includes an Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity ( workshop which aims to increase awareness of cultural, religious, or racial differences while delivering information about how a person can change their behaviour to be more inclusive. Through this training, students are encouraged to diversify their knowledge and reflect upon their experiences as a physicist and in education.
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Science and Applications MSc | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Nuclear Science and Radiation Protection MSc | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Physics MSc | 1 | Optional | 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 2025/6 academic year.