RADIOACTIVITY AND NUCLEAR METROLOGY - 2026/7

Module Overview

The module provides a Level 6 (final year) introduction to the sources of radioactive materials, how they are produced and their accurate measurement. This module will also give detailed information on the sources and uses of radioactive materials for environmental, medical and industrial medical applications.

The is aimed at both students studying at Level 6 or 7 in Physical Science (Physics, Chemistry etc,.) or related Engineering (e.g. Chemical or Environmental Engineering) subject.

It will also serve as key, underpinning material for graduates with non-physics first degrees (e.g. Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics etc,) to provide a foundation in the measurement and characterization of radioactive sources.

Module provider

Mathematics & Physics

Module Leader

DOHERTY Daniel (Maths & Phys)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

PART 1: SOURCES OF RADIOCTIVITY AND NUCLEAR DECAY  

• REVISION AND BASICS OF RADIOACTIVE DECAY History of radioactivity, Rutherford and Soddy; discovery of NORM decay chains; Revision on decay modes; laws of radioactive decay; Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials; Th, U, Ac and Np decay chains; Equilibrium. Primordial (e.g. 235,8U, 232Th, 40K, 138La), and Cosmogenic (e.g. 3H, 14C), sources. TENORMS and 226,228Ra decay chains. Activity concentration measurements; Dose conversion coefficients. Measurement of radioactivity by decay emission (alpha, beta gamma spectrometry) and/or atom counting (mass spectrometry). 
• MAN-MADE SOURCES OF RADIOACTIVITY Nuclear Fission and energy; Neutron Capture and decay; Production of important medical radionuclides (e.g. 18F; 99mTc, 131I, 192Ir); Nuclear Fission residues and nuclear waste materials, nuclear weapons fallout and nuclear power waste products (e.g. 90Sr, 99Tc, 134,7Cs, 239,240Pu, 241Am etc,) 
• THE INTERNATIONAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM AND THE SI: Introduction to nuclear metrology; traceability chains; roles on NMIs etc;. Definition of and realisation of the becquerel (Bq). 
•  NUCLEAR DECAY DATA What is nuclear data? Gamma decay and nuclear decay schemes ; Angular momentum ; alpha decay data ; beta decay selection rules and applications; Nuclear Isomers; Electron capture decay, Auger emissions; Internal conversion decays; Nuclear Data Evaluations and Compilations. 

 PART 2: NUCLEAR METROLOGY LABORATORY SESSIONS

• 3 hours per week in the Radiation labs in Weeks 5 to 7.  
• (1) gamma-ray NORM measurements and evaluations using gamma-ray spectrometry (HPGe calibration and details using Marinelli beakers) and determination of Activity concentration in ¿unknown¿ samples of known density in similar geometry Marinelli beakers. (2) Fast-timing coincidences from e.g. a 152Eu decay source with LaBr3(Ce) detectors; (3) Radiochemical separation of Uranium using a column. (4) alpha spectroscopy of sources etc.  

PART 3: NUCLEAR METROLOGY 

• Primary and Secondary Standards of Radioactivity - Principles of Standardisation; measurement vs standardization; Primary 4 pi(LS)-gamma coincidence counting; defined solid angle counting ; gamma-gamma coincidence counting; Dead times; corrections in coincidence circuits; Secondary Standards of Radioactivity; gamma-ray counting; Ionization chambers. 
• Radiochemical Separations for Nuclear Metrology  - Radiochemical Separations ; Precipitation, Liquid exchange, ion0-exchange chromatography; Extraction Chromatography; Applications of Radiochemical Separations in Nuclear Medicine (227Th and 225Ac) and in Nuclear Decommissioning (90Sr). Preparation of samples for radionuclide measurement techniques including alpha spectrometry, Liquid Scintillation counting, gamma-spectrometry and ICP-MS; Measurements of long half-lives by atom counting and absolute activity. ¿
• Neutron Metrology and Standards Neutron production; neutron detection; neutron fluence and neutron flux; dose from neutrons ; neutron detection from personal dosimeters; neutron interactions in matter; neutron counting vs neutron spectrometry; Neutron sources; activation detection methods; the Manganese bath and neutron traceability.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate: 

• Knowledge and understanding of underlying physics concepts and conservation laws which underpin these. 
• The ability to identify and use the appropriate techniques to solve relevant nuclear metrological questions, 
• Be able to take and interpret laboratory measurement data to evaluate radioactivity concentrations in unknown samples. 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of: 

• A laboratory report. The lab report would make up 30% of the total module mark, and cover measurements corresponding to materials presented in the lectures in weeks 1 to 4.. 
• A synoptic examination (2 hours), worth 70% of the module mark, corresponding to all Learning Outcomes. 

Formative assessmentPast-paper style examination questions, multiple-choice questions and tutorial style problems will be available via Surreylearn. Feedback Students will receive feedback on their submitted laboratory report. This feedback will also be timed so as to assist students with preparation for the final synoptic examination. Students will also receive verbal feedback and supervision during the 3 weeks of laboratory work, which is designed to promote student engagement with radiation physics based problem solving.

Module aims

• Introduce or consolidate and extend students¿ understanding of underpinning concepts behind the nature of radioactive decay and the different experimental signatures associated with the key radioactive decay modes.
• It aims to provide students with an introduction to descriptions of how radioactive materials can be produced synthetically and how the amount of radioactive material present can be evaluated to a defined precision.
• Enable students to apply their knowledge and skills to radioactivity experimental laboratory work and the interpretation of such data.
• Provide students with a knowledge of how precise and accurate determinations of radioactivity are made and how these can be linked to the International System of Measurement (SI) through the realization of the SI unit of radioactivity, the becquerel (Bq).

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to: 

• Provide students with revision of graduate-level material on underlying physics and mathematical basis for understanding radionuclide measurement and interpretation of nuclear decay data. 
• Provide students with an understanding of the sources of radioactivity both in the natural environment and from man-made sources. 
• Provide students with experience of mathematical methods used to realise (primary) standard and understand their role in the international system of measurement. 

The learning and teaching methods include: 

• Twenty four hours of lectures over eleven weeks, with module notes provided to complement the lectures. These lectures provide a structured learning environment and opportunities for students to ask questions and to practice methods taught. 
• Nine hours of laboratory classes relating to sources of radioactivity and nuclear metrology. 
• Formative past-paper style exam questions, provided via SurreyLearn, designed to provide students with opportunities to consolidate learning. Feedback on these unassessed coursework will provide students with guidance on their progress and understanding. 
• Lectures will cover core topics. Video recordings of core topics covered in lectures may be provided. These recordings are intended to give students an opportunity to review parts of lectures which they may not fully have understood and should not be seen as an alternative to attending lectures. 
• Additional video recordings of revision topics and extension topics will be provided.

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: PHY3074

Other information

The Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Digital Capabilities, Employability, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Resourcefulness, Resilience, and Sustainability. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills and capabilities in the following areas: 

Digital Capabilities : The SurreyLearn page will feature a dynamic chat discussion forum where students can pose questions and engage with others. This enhances their digital competencies while facilitating collaborative learning and information sharing. 

Employability : The module equips students with skills which significantly enhance their employability. The proficiency gained hones critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, particularly in the radiation science arena. Students will learn to analyse world problems and apply scientifically robust techniques to arrive at solutions. These are highly sought after skills in the science, engineering areas and in many professions. 

Global and Cultural Capabilities: Students enrolled on the module are likely to originate from a variety of countries and have a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Students are encouraged to work together during problem-solving teaching activities in tutorials and lectures, which naturally facilitates the sharing of different cultures.

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 2026/7 academic year.