course-details-portlet

TFY4225

Nuclear and Radiation Physics

Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Course start Autumn 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement School exam

About

About the course

Course content

This course describes models for the constituents and properties of nuclei, nuclear reactions and radioactivity, description of various mechanisms for interaction between ionizing radiation and matter, and introduction to radiation dosimetry. The course includes applications such as detection of radiation, analytical methods, nuclear power generation, environmental exposure to ionizing radiation, risk assessment, and radiation protection.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The candidate should have knowledge about:

  • Constituents and properties of nuclei, nuclear reactions and accompanying radiations, as well as mechanisms for the interaction of radiation with matter.
  • This includes: nuclear models and nuclear properties, nuclear reactions, with emphasis on alpha, beta and gamma radiation related to strong, weak and electromagnetic interactions, mechanisms for the interaction of radiation with matter, radiation dosimetry, biological effects of ionizing radiation, radiation protection, nuclear power, fusion reactions, industrial and medical applications of nuclear methods and ionizing radiation.

Skills

The candidate should be able to:

  • Find and use relevant tables and data to assess and evaluate the occurrence and effects of nuclear processes and ionizing radiation
  • Calculate radiation doses and assess the health effects of ionizing radiation.
  • Acquire spectroscopic data of beta and gamma radioactivity and the radiation's interaction with matter, using detectors combined with computer-based multichannel analysis.

General competence

The candidate should be able to:

  • Analyze and interpret registered radiation spectra, and communicate the result of such investigations in writing.
  • Interpret and present scientific data obtained during the practical work in the laboratory and group work.
  • Read and present research literature.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, problem solving, mandatory laboratory assignments and mandatory project work with presentations. Teaching will be in English if students on international master programmes are attending the course. Expected workload in the course is 225 hours.

Compulsory assignments

  • Project Work/Presentation
  • Laboratory exercises

Further on evaluation

The final written digital exam is the basis for the grade in the course. The re-sit examination (in August) may be changed from written to oral. When lectures and lecture material are in English, the exam may be given in English only.

Course materials

J. Lilley: Nuclear Physics, John Wiley og Sons, 2001.

K. Heyde: Basic Ideas and Concepts in Nuclear Physics: An Introductory Approach, 3rd Edition, CRC Press, 2004 https://doi.org/10.1201/9780367806576

Some supplementary material.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
SIF4054 7.5 sp
FY6023 7.5 sp Autumn 2021
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Physics
  • Technological subjects

Contact information

Course coordinator

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Physics

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code C Date 2025-11-28 Time 09:00 Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room for school exam

The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.

Sluppenvegen 14
Room SL510
46 candidates

Re-sit examination - Summer 2026

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code C Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.