Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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PHY 125 - Applied Nuclear Physics


Credits: 4
3 Lecture Hours 2 Lab Hours

Co-requisites: MAT 108  

Description
This course is for students in nuclear medicine technology or radiation therapy technology. Basic principles of physics used in radiation therapy and radioisotope diagnosis are studied. Topics include the atoms and nuclides, radiation counting and detection, radioactive decay, laws and modes of decay, half-life, properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation and its production. The laboratory component introduces data reduction procedures and reinforces concepts presented in lecture.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will:

  1. Describe the basic physical principles as they apply to nuclear medicine and radiation therapy.
  2. Differentiate between those physical situations that require a mathematical interpretation from those that do not.
  3. Solve routine problems in the radiological fields of nuclear medicine and radiation therapy utilizing algebra.
  4. Apply theoretical concepts learned in the course that emphasize elementary data reduction techniques commonly used in the radiological fields in the conduction of laboratory experiments.
Listed Topics
  1. Measurements
  2. Motion
  3. Forces in nature
  4. Energy and the conservation of energy
  5. Electrostatics and electricity
  6. Wave theory
  7. Electromagnetic radiation
  8. Atomic structure
  9. Atomic spectra
  10. Mass and energy interchange
  11. Characteristics of atomic nuclei
  12. Conditions for nuclear stability
  13. Decay law, half-life and statistics
  14. Activity and average life
  15. Biological and physical half-life
  16. Chart of the nuclides
  17. Radioactive processes
  18. Nuclear transmutation equations and the production of secondary radiations: X-ray, Auger and conversion electrons
Reference Materials
Laboratory manual, chart of the nuclides, table of the nuclides, handouts, calculators, scientific calculator and other materials as deemed appropriate by instructor.
Students who successfully complete this course acquire general knowledge, skills and abilities that align with CCAC’s definition of an educated person. Specifically, this course fulfills these General Education Goals:
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
  • Quantitative & Scientific Reasoning
Approved By: Dr. Quintin B. Bullock Date Approved: 01/23/2020


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