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 course consists of a different number of CFU depending on the program. Chimica e Tecnologie Chimiche: 4 credits of teaching delivered over 32 hours of in-person lectures, with the remaining hours dedicated to self-study. Biologia Applicata e Sperimentale: 2 credits of teaching delivered over 16 hours of in-person lectures, with the remaining hours dedicated to self-study.

Two seminars on radiation protection and medical applications of radiation will be held during the course. Both seminars will be led by experts invited. All teaching materials used during the lessons are 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

LESSONS START

According to the timetable reported here 

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

FURTHER INFORMATION

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

Compensatory and dispensatory measures Disability/Invalidity/Specific Learning Disorder

Dispensatory measures and compensatory tools are intended to enable students to achieve the same learning objectives as their fellow students, not to facilitate the examination.

The use of compensatory tools and the application of dispensatory measures must be authorised in advance by the teacher in agreement with the Referee.

To take advantage of the adaptations during the examination, fill in the Adaptation request form; the request will be automatically sent by the system to the teacher in charge of the teaching, to the Contact Person of your School/Area/Department and in copy to the Sector; you will also receive a copy of the request sent by e-mail.

The adjustments available to students are as follows:

• Additional time (+30% DSA)
• Additional time (+50% disability/invalidity)
• Additional time during oral exams to organise the answer
• Calculator (programmable and graphing calculators are not allowed)
• Conceptual Maps
• Tables and/or Forms
• Take the exam in written form
• Take the exam in oral form
• Tutor reader (for written tests only)
• Tutor-writer (for written tests only)

Your request for adaptations must be submitted at least 7 working days before the scheduled exam date.

All information for students with disabilities and DSA is available on the webpage: Services for students with disabilities or DSA | UniGe | University of Genoa

Reference for inclusion: Sergio Di Domizio - sergio.didomizio@unige.it