FYS-KJM4570 – Radiation protection and radiation safety
Course content
Radiation physics and dosimetry:
Interaction of ionizing radiation with matter – with emphasize on biological systems and radiological protection. External and internal dosimetry. Dosimetric measurement techniques in radiation protection.
Health effects and risk analysis:
Stochastic effects of ionizing radiation from high doses and high dose rates to low doses and low dose rates for both high and low LET radiation. Risk models and assessment of health risks from exposure to ionizing radiation based on radiobiological and epidemiological knowledge. Deterministic effects of ionizing radiation. Health hazards of exposure to non-ionizing radiation and electromagnetic fields.
Radiation protection:
Evolution of the radiation protection system – practices and intervention related to medical and industrial use of radiation sources, contamination of the environments, etc. Quantities in radiological protection. Dose constraints and derived limits. Radiation sources – natural and man-made sources. Shielding of radiation sources and protective measures. Regulatory aspects - radiation protection regulations, recommendations and standards. International conventions and recommendations.
Radioecology and effects of radiation on the environment:
Natural and man-made sources of radioactivity in the atmospheric, terrestrial and marine environment. Release of radioactivity to the environment - doses and consequences for man and the environment; fauna and flora included. Remedial measures and preventative measures to limit exposure and consequences for man and environment.
Radiation and nuclear safety:
Radiation safety related to ionizing radiation sources and nuclear facilities. Consequences of fallout from nuclear accidents and use of nuclear weapons. Nuclear safeguards and security. Nuclear accident preparedness. Management of radioactive waste.
Learning outcome
To understand the basis for radiation protection and radiation safety, including the health effects and risks associated with radiation exposure, so that the candidate will be able to make his/her own independent judgements of risks, protective measures, etc. and acquire the necessary background knowlegde to fill a position as health physicist.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Please notice that the Department of Physics requires that you register in the beginning of May for advanced courses in physics which are taught in the fall term. See http://www.fys.uio.no/studier/kvalitetsreformen/mastergrader/pameldingsskjema_h.html for further information.
Courses with less than three students registrered will normally be cancelled.
Prerequisites
Recommended previous knowledge
Bachelor degree in physics or chemistry. Some background knowledge about radioactivity and radiation e.g. FYS1010 – Environmental Physics (discontinued) or KJM5900 – Radioactivity (discontinued).
Teaching
The course extends over a full semester with 3-4 hours of teaching per week and an excursion (one day).
Examination
Final oral exam. Letter grade.
This subject does not offer new examination in the beginning of the subsequent term for candidates who withdraw during an ordinary examination or fail an ordinary examination. For general information about new examination, see /studier/admin/eksamen/sykdom-utsatt/mn/index.html and http://www.matnat.uio.no/english/studies/examination/repeat.html
For detailed information about examinations at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences please see http://www.matnat.uio.no/english/studies/index.html
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.