Study of nuclear reactions, radioactivity, and subatomic particle interactions.
Course overview
This course explores the fundamental principles of nuclear physics and particle physics. You will study nuclear reactions, radioactivity, and subatomic particle interactions, building on the concepts introduced in the first half of the sequence. The curriculum covers the structure of the nucleus, radioactive decay modes, and the standard model of particle physics.
Who takes this course
PHYS 3670 is an elective course open to students in any program who have completed the prerequisites. It is particularly useful for students in the School of Energy & Applied Engineering, the School of Health Sciences, and the School of Computing & Academic Studies who wish to specialise in physics-related fields.
Prerequisites
You must have completed PHYS 2670 Nuclear and Particle Physics II, or have permission from the instructor.
Credits: 3 · Hours: 45
Prerequisites
- PHYS 2670 Nuclear and Particle Physics II
Learning outcomes
- Analyse nuclear reaction rates and cross-sections for various particle interactions.
- Calculate decay chains and half-life distributions for unstable isotopes.
- Apply conservation laws to subatomic particle collision scenarios.
- Evaluate safety protocols for handling radioactive materials in laboratory settings.
- Interpret data from particle detectors using standard statistical methods.
Evaluation
| Component | Weight (%) |
| Midterm examination | 30 |
| Laboratory reports | 25 |
| Problem sets | 20 |
| Final examination | 25 |