OVERVIEW

The course is aimed at students of the degree course in Chemistry and Chemical Technology (4 CFU), students of the bachelor courses in Molecular Biology and Health (2nd year, 2CFU) and Biological Monitoring (2nd year, 2CFU).
The program sections dedicated to different courses are specified in the program year, courses are modulated to guarantee a good frequency to the students of the different courses.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

To provide basic knowledge on nuclear properties, radioactivity and the laws of radioactive decay. To understand how radiations interact with matter and therefore how they can be revealed. To make known the mechanisms that regulate the main nuclear reactions including fission and the main methods of production of radionuclides.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance and participation in the planned educational activities (lectures and seminars) will enable the student to acquire the knowledge necessary to undertake studies in the field of radiochemistry. Specifically, the student will be able to: know and describe the main types of radioactive decays, know and predict the interactions of different types of radiation with inanimate matter and with living beings, learn about the main uses of radiation in environmental, industrial and analytical fields. The student will acquire the correct language and terminology dedicated to this specific discipline.

PREREQUISITES

The useful prerequisites for the course contents are: the bases of analytical geometry and differential calculus and general chemistry.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching consists of lectures in the classroom  delivered through multimedia presentations. During the course two lectures will be held, in the field of radiation protection and medical applications of radiation, both seminars will be held during class time by industry experts invited by the teacher. All the teaching material used during the lessons is made available on aulaweb.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The atomic nucleus structure: binding energy, mass, radius. Nuclear models. Natural radioactivity and the radioactivity decay law. Radioactive decay processes: α and β decay, γ transitions, nuclear fission. Interaction radiation-matter. Radiation measurements: gas counters, scintillation and semiconductor detectors. Nuclear reactions: energetics, cross sections, mechanisms, nuclear fission. Thermonuclear reactions. Radiation biology, dosimetry. Analytical and technological applications of the radiations.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All the slides used will be available on aulaweb. For further informations the following volumes are suggested:

 Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry, G.R.Choppin, J.Liljenzin, J.Rydberg. Nuclear and Radiochemistry, G.Friedlander, J.W.Kennedy, E.S.Macias, J.Malcom Miller.  Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry, K Heinrich Lieser. Modern Nuclear Chemistry, W Loveland, D.J Morrissey, G.T Seaborg.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists in an oral examination,  the exam commission is formed by two professors. Details on how to prepare for the exam and the degree of detail required for each topic will be provided at the beginning of the course and confirmed during lectures and exercises.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam will mainly focus on the topics covered during the lectures, depending on the number of CFU to be aquired (2 or 4) and will aim to assess the achievement of the appropriate level of knowledge, the ability to use this knowledge in the context of simple real cases. The ability to present the topics clearly and with correct terminology will also be evaluated.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

During the course will hold a seminar by a Qualified Expert on the laws in the field of radioprotection.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.