PHY 126 - Radiation Physics and Protection

 
Description
This course is for students in nuclear medicine technology or radiation therapy technology. The interaction of radiation with matter and radiation protection philosophies and concepts are discussed. Topics include radiation interaction with matter, shielding of radioactivity, nuclear detection devices, dosimetry and radiation exposure. Emphasized are the safe use of radioactive sources, accelerators, X-ray machines and radionuclides. The laboratory component introduces data reduction procedures and reinforces concepts presented in lecture.

1. Describe physical situations as they apply to radiation therapy and nuclear medicine.
2. Solve routine problems in the radiological fields of nuclear medicine and radiation therapy utilizing algebra.
3. Differentiate between those physical situations that require a mathematical interpretation from those that do not.
4. Explain NRC regulations in the safe handling and monitoring of radioactive materials.
5. Apply theoretical concepts learned in the course which emphasize elementary data reduction techniques commonly used in the radiological fields in the conduction of laboratory experiments.

1. Sources of radiation: radioactive material and machine-produced radiation
2. Types of radiation: directly and indirectly ionizing radiation
3. Intensity and the inverse square law
4. Linear energy transfer, range and specific ionization
5. Mechanisms for the interaction of ionizing radiation with matter
6. Attenuation law
7. Basic means of protection from directly and indirectly ionizing radiation
8. Units of dosimetry and radiation exposure
9. Principles of radiation protection
10. Federal and state regulatory agencies
11. Permissible dosages and exposure limits
12. Detection technology
13. Imaging systems and nuclear medicine
14. Future of radiation detection

• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
• Quantitative & Scientific Reasoning

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