MPhys Physics with Theoretical Physics / Course details

The unit begins with the interaction of radiation with matter, covering charged and neutral particles. These fundamental principles are used as the basis for much of the rest of the content. The detection of radiation is studied next, looking at how the interaction of radiation can be used to determine its properties by the use of different detection mechanisms. The course then moves to the health effects and applications of radiation, to develop understanding of the risks radiation poses, and how radiation can be used for therapeutic purposes. The next topic is energy generation, covering both commercial power production from nuclear fission and the potential of nuclear fusion for future generation. This links to the following section on nuclear astrophysics, which details the processes of stellar fusion and production of different nuclides. The final topic of the course is radionuclides in the environment, which looks at how radioactivity can be used in different dating techniques, monitoring of radionuclides in the environment, and how nuclear physics can be applied to nuclear non-proliferation. 

Pre-requisites:

Nuclear Physics PHYS30021 OR Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics PHYS30121 (2025/26 only)

Anti-requisites:

PHYS40422 Applied Nuclear Physics (2025/26 only)

To introduce the applications of nuclear physics across the fields of science and technology. To develop students’ understanding of how the fundamental principles of nuclear and radiation physics can be used as a basis for solving problems both in physics and wider society. 

On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:  

ILO 1

Describe the mechanisms by which radiation interacts with matter, is detected and can do damage to biological organisms.

ILO 2

Explain the applications of nuclear physics to radiotherapy, energy generation, dating and the environment.

ILO3

Use nuclear physics principles to explain the origin of nuclides in stars, the Earth and the human environment.

ILO 4

Calculate solutions to problems based on the application of nuclear physics concepts.

ILO 5

Derive the key relationships describing nuclear behaviour and properties of radiation which are exploited in areas of application from fundamental concepts and nuclear properties.

ILO 6

Evaluate the benefits and risks of nuclear physics, radiation and their applications

 Introduction and Interaction of Radiation with matter: 4 lectures 
•    Photons, Electrons, Alphas and heavy charged particles
•    Bethe-Bloch
•    Neutrons, Capture, Fast neutrons
Radiation detectors: 4 lectures 
•    Gas detectors including neutron detection
•    Scintillation detectors
•    Solid state detectors and high resolution Ge detectors
•    Personal dosimetry
Health effects and applications: 4 lectures 
•    Radiation dose and natural background
•    Harmful tissue reactions and stochastic effects
•    Radiotherapy
Energy generation: 6 lectures 
•    Fission reactors
•    Fusion reactors
Introduction to nuclear astrophysics: 2 lectures 
•    Thermonuclear fusion in main-sequence stars
•    Gamow factor, pp chain, fusion up to Fe/Ni
•    r and s process
Radionuclides in the environment: 2 lectures 
•    Carbon dating
•    Nuclear cosmo-chronology - age of the solar system & r process origin of actinides
•    Environmental monitoring
•    Nuclear non-proliferation

Two hours of in-person lectures per week covering the course material. The recordings of these lectures will be available on the podcast service and linked to the course VLE page. The lectures are accompanied by notes, which include additional content beyond what is given in the lectures. Tutorial questions and full written solutions are provided at the end of each chapter. Short questions and written answers are provided each week. A Piazza discussion forum is also available where students can ask questions with answers provided by other students and the unit leaders. 

• In-class discussion 

• Online discussion board 

• Model answers for review and tutorial questions

Lilley, J. (2001). Nuclear Physics Principles and Applications. Wiley.

Shultis, J. Kenneth and Richard E. Faw (2016). Fundamentals of Nuclear Science and Engineering. 3rd. CRC Press.

Knoll, G. F. (2010). Radiation Detection and Measurement. 4th. Wiley.

Marti, Alan D. et al. (2012) An Introduction to Radiation Protection. 6th. Hodder Arnold.

Lamarsh, John R. and Anthony J. Baratta. (2014) Introduction to Nuclear Engineering. 3rd. Pearson.

Freidberg, Jeffrey P. (2007) Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy. Cambridge University Press

Krane, Kenneth S. (1988) Introductory Nuclear Physics. Wiley.

Dickin, A. P. (1995). Radiogenic Isotope Geology. Cambridge University Press.