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Post Graduate Courses

Master of Science in Nuclear Science

Master of Science in Medical Physics

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Master of Science in Nuclear Science

• Detection and Measurement of Radiation
• Applied Statistics
• Nuclear Power
• Radiobiology
• Nuclear Physics
• Health Physics
• Radio and Radiation Chemistry
• Nuclear Geology 
• Laboratory Work
• Research Project

INTRODUCTION

M.Sc. Course in Nuclear Science was first set up in 1982 with the sponsorship of the Atomic Energy Authority of Sri Lanka.  The main aim of this course was to meet the needs of the expanding fields of research and industrial applications of nuclear techniques in Sri Lanka.

Nuclear Techniques are currently being used in many fields.  These include medicine, industry, agriculture, archaeology and almost all areas of research.  The possible fields of application are rapidly expanding.  This requires well trained personnel with special sense of discipline.  The item of highest priority of any atomic energy programme must be proper training of adequate number of scientists in important areas of atomic energy. 

• The M.Sc. course in nuclear Science offered by the department of Nuclear Science provides a broad based training in theoretical and applied nuclear science.  Training in safety and protection is an integral part of this course.  The course also includes practical and project work so that the students will gain confidence and also experience in safe handling of Radioactivity

ELIGIBILITY

B.Sc. (Special). Or B.Sc. (General) Degree in Physical or Biological Science

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Master of Science in Medical Physics

COURSE CONTENTS

• Anatomy

• Radiation Physics

• X-ray Technology

• Nuclear Medicine & Radiotherapy

• Other application of Physics in Medicine

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MSc in Nuclear Science

Syllabus

NS5001- Paper 1 ( 60L  4C)

Detection and Measurement of Radiation (45 L)

• Interaction of Radiation with Matter 
  Interaction of heavy charged particles, Beta-Bloch formula, energy loss per unit length, mass  stopping power, Interaction of positrons and fast electrons, Interaction of photons; photo electric effect, Compton scattering, pair production, Total absorption coefficient, Interaction  of neutrons.
• Detection and Measurement of Radiation
  General properties of radiation detectors; energy resolution, detection efficiency, dead time, Counting statistics, Gas filled detectors; ionization chambers, proportional counters, Geiger Mueller counters. Scintillation counters Scintillation detector principle, Photo multiplier tubes, Radiation spectroscopy with scintillators: Semiconductor detectors; semiconductor diode detectors, Lithium drifted germanium detectors, Other solid state detectors, Neutron detectors and spectroscopy; Slow neutron detection methods, Fast neutron detection and spectroscopy.
• Detector Electronics and Pulse Processing 
  Basic electronics, Detector electronics and pulse processing; Pulse shaping networks, preamplifiers, main amplifiers, signal processing related to energy measurements and timing measurements, standard signal processing equipment, Analogue to digital converters, Time to amplitude converters, NIM based modules.
• Miscellaneous Detector Types 

Cerencov detectors, Photographic emulsion, Multi channel Plate Detectors, Thermoluminescent dosimeters, Track etch detectors, Neutron detection by activation.

Applied Statistics (15 L)

·         Introduction to Statistics and Probability, Data Collection, Descriptive Statistics: presentation of data, tables, pie charts, histograms, Measures of locations and dispersion, Statistical distributions; Binomial, Poisson, Normal and central limit theorem and normal approximations to Binomial/Poisson; Hypothesis testing; comparison of means and proportions, Association between variables, Z test, t tested X²test, Goodness of fit.

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NS 5002 -Paper 2 (60L, 4C)

Nuclear Power  (30 L)

• Neutrons 
  Neutron sources, Capture, absorption, scattering and fission, Neutron flux, microscopic and macroscopic cross-sections, energy dependence, interaction rates.
• Nuclear Fission 
  Binding energies, energy release in fission and fusion reactions, Fission products, chain reaction, criticality and critical mass.
• Nuclear Power Plants 
  PWR. BWR, PHWR, Main components, auxiliary systems, safety of nuclear plants, fuel cycles, Current global developments in nuclear plant technology and relevance to Sri Lanka.
• Reactor Theory 
  Fick’s law, Diffusion Theory, one group and two group calculation, infinite and effective multiplication factors, four factor and six factor formulae, buckling, simple criticality calculations.
• Reactor Kinetics 
  Reactivity, delayed neutrons, temperature coefficient of reactivity, fission product poisoning, start up and shut down.

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Radiobiology (30 L)

• Effect of Radiation at the Molecular and Sub Cellular Levels 
  Effect of radiation on proteins, nucleic acids. Radiation damage to cell membranes, nuclear damage versus cytoplasmic damage.
• Cellular Effects of Radiation 
  Cell killing, survival curves, target theory and mammalian cell survival curves, radio sensitivity of the different phase of cell cycle, recovery and repair.
• Deterministic Effects 
  Tissue radio sensitivity, Modes of death exposed to whole body radiation, Effects of radiation on the gonads and the skin.
• Stochastic Effects 
  Effects of radiation on chromosomes, Qualitative and quantitative aspects of radiation induced chromosomal aberrations, radiation genetic mutations, Radiation carcinogenesis, role of radiation as initiator, promoter, genetic and epigenetic effects in cellular levels, role of tissue environment in radiation carcinogenesis, Radiation induced non specific life shortening Effects of radiation on developing embryo. LD₅₀ concept.
• Biological Basis of Radio Therapy 
  Physical, chemical and biological factors affecting cell survival, tumour re-growth and normal tissue response, non conventional fractionation scheme, and their effect of re-oxygenation, repair, redistribution in cell cycle, high LET radiation therapy, time dose fractionation.
   

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NS5003   Paper 3 ( 60L, 4C)

Nuclear Physics ( 30L)

• Introduction 
  Nucleonics; structure of  the atomic nucleus, properties of the atomic nuclei, radioactivity; radioactive decay law, natural radioactivity, isotope production, separation and enrichment, labelled compounds.
• Properties of the Atomic Nucleus
  Nuclear charge, nuclear mass, nuclear radius, angular momentum and quantum numbers, nuclear magnetic moment, electric quadruple moment, parity, nuclear models.
• Nuclear Reactions
  Mass energy balance of nuclear reactions, the coulomb barrier, nuclear reaction cross section, compound nucleus mechanisms, Disintegration of unstable nuclei; negative beta decay, positive beta decay, electron capture, alpha decay, gamma ray emission, internal conversion.
• Particle Physics
  historical background , fundamental forces, properties of particles and their detection, survey of currently known elementary particles, conservation laws, new theories of particle physics.
• Particle Accelerators
  Cockroft-Walton Accelerator, Van de Graaff Accelerator. Linear Accelerator, Cyclotron, Synchrocyclotron, Betatron, Proton Synchrotron, Electron synchrotron.

Health Physics (30 L)

• Radiation Dosimetry
  Units, Absorbed dose, Exposure, Exposure measurement: the free air chamber, air wall chamber, Exposure-dose relationship, Absorbed dose measurement; Bragg-Gray principle, Kerma, Source Strength: Specific Gamma-ray Emission, Internally Deposited Radioisotopes, effective half-life, dose commitment, Gamma emitters, Neutrons.
• Radiation Protection Guides
  Philosophy of Radiation Protection, Basic Radiation Safety Criteria, Effective Dose-equivalent, Exposure of individuals in the general public, Exposure of populations, Medical exposure, Allowable limit on intake (ALI), Inhaled radioactivity, Derived air concentration (DAC), Combined exposure, Basis for Radiation Safety Regulations, Airborne radioactivity, Maximum permissible concentrations for non-occupational exposure.
• External Radiation Protection
  Basic Principles, Techniques of external radiation protection, Time, Distance, Shielding, X-ray shielding, Beta ray shielding, Neutron shielding.
• Internal Radiation Protection 
  Internal Radiation Hazard, Principles of Control, Control of the source; confinement, Environmental control of man; protective clothing, respiratory protection, Surface Contamination Limits, Waste Management; High level liquid waste, Intermediate and low level liquid wasters, Airborne wasters, Meteorological considerations, Dispersion of gas from a continuous source, Solid wastes, Assessment of Hazard.
• Evaluation of Protective Measures 
  Medical Surveillance, Estimation of Internally Deposited Radioactivity, Personnel Monitoring, Radiation and Contamination Surveys, Choosing a health physics instrument, Surface contamination, Leak testing of sealed sources, Air Sampling, Airborne particulate, Filter, Natural airborne radioactivity,  Continuous Environmental Monitoring.

NS5004- Paper 1V

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Radio and Radiation Chemistry (45 L)

• Chemical Effects of Nuclear Radiation 
  Dissipation of radiation energy in matter, formation of ions, free radicals and excited species, G-values, radiolysis of water, radiolysis of aqueous solutions, radiolysis of gasses, radiation effects on organic compounds radiation effects of solids, formation of  colour centre.
• Actinides and Transuranic Elements
  Synthesis of transuranic elements, experimental techniques used in transuranium chemistry, electronic structure and properties of actinides, thorium and extraction, uranium chemistry and extraction, plutonium chemistry, Reprocessing of Nuclear fuel.
• Hot Atom Chemistry; 
  General theory, hot and thermal reactions, hot reaction in liquid phase, gas phase, , Estrap-Walfgang theory, chemical effects associated with alpha decay; chemical effects associated with beta decay, chemical effects associated with nuclear reactions.
• Nuclear Analytical Technique 
  Application, precision and limitation of non nuclear analytical methods, Isotope dilution analysis, radioisotope exchange, radio release method, radiometric titration, activation analysis, chemical separation and radio chemical analysis
• Mossabuer Effects and Application 
  Width of gamma ray spectrum, recoil free emission and absorption of gamma radiation, recoil free fraction, isomer shift, quadruple splitting, methods of measuring above parameters, uses.
• Radiation Technology 
  Radiation Polymerisation, vulcanizing rubber latex without chemical additives, food irradiation, sterilisation of medical products, Tissue bank, techniques in environment conservation; waste treatment, removal of SO₂ and NO_x.  

Nuclear Geology (15 L)

Radioactive minerals and their occurrence

NS5004 - Paper 4 ( 60L,  4C)

Applications 

• Application in Medicine 
  Diagnostic and therapeutic uses of X rays, Diagnostic uses of radioisotopes such as ¹³¹I, ¹²⁸I, ⁵¹Cr, ⁵⁹Fe, ^99mTc, ¹¹C; Medical radioisotope scanning, use of gamma camera, therapeutic uses of X rays. Brachytherapy, computers in treatment planning, In vitro Application: RIA, Molecular biology Techniques using radio nuclide methods.
• Nuclear Techniques in Industry 
  Radioactive tracer applications; flow and leakage measurements, residence times and residence time distribution measurement; Miscellaneous radio tracer applications; mixing and blending studies, volume measurements, scaled source applications, Gamma ray absorption techniques, Radiation scattering techniques, Neutron techniques. Gamma , X, beta and neutron radiography, concentration measurements, friction and ware studies, density and thickness gauging, Radioisotope applications in industrial processing, Case studies.
• Nuclear Techniques in Agriculture 
  Use of isotopes in path way identification, soil and fertiliser nutrient assessment, disease control in plants, insect control, mutations, radioisotope in animal nutrition, RIA in reproduction and disease, irradiated vaccines.
• Isotope Hydrology 
  Basic principles, measurement of stable and radioactive isotopes used in hydrological studies, artificial radio tracers in surface and ground water hydrology, environmental and isotopes in surface and ground water hydrology, case studies.
• Radiometric Dating methods 
  Archaeological and Geological dating methods; ¹⁴C and ³H dating, Thermo luminescence dating, Fission track dating, Lead isotope method, ⁸⁷Rb/⁸⁷Sr, ⁴⁰K/⁴⁰Ar, Uranium/Helium methods.
• Miscellaneous Applications 

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NS3006 - Laboratory Work (120 P, 4C)

• Computer Application packages (15hrs)
• Basic Nuclear Science Experiments (15hrs)
• Advanced Nuclear Science Experiments (15 hrs)
• Health Physics Experiments (15 hrs)
• Electronics (15 hrs)
• Non Destructive Testing Techniques (15 hrs)
• Nuclear Analytical Techniques (15 hrs)

    Five Field Trips (15 hrs)  from any of the following

• High back ground areas (3 hrs)
• Nuclear Medicine Unit, General Hospitals (3 hrs)
• Blood Bank (3 hrs)
• Tissue Bank (3 hrs)
• Atomic Energy Authority (3 hrs)
• Central Cultural Fund (3 hrs)
• Cancer Hospital (3 hrs)

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NS5007- Research Project  ( 6months, 6C)

Course structure, duration & evaluation

The first part of the course which consists of about  300 lectures, 120  hours of practical work and tutorials will last for three Semesters. The evaluation of this part of the curse will be based on an examination consisting of FIVE three hour papers.

Those successful in part one will proceed to the second part which is a six month research project. This part of the course will  be evaluated on the basis of a dissertation submitted and  an oral examination.

The duration of the course is two years.

Examination Procedure

Theory examinations:

1. Paper contents

• Paper 1:Radiation Detection and Statistics
• Paper 2:Nuclear Power & Radiobiology
• Paper 3:Nuclear Physics & Health Physics
• Paper 4:Radio and Radiation Chemistry & Nuclear Geology
• Paper 5:Applications

2. Each theory paper will be of 3 hour duration.

Each theory paper will be moderated by an external examiner and the answer scripts will also be examined  by an external examiner.

3. Each theory paper will carry a maximum of 100 marks (total 500 marks).

 Practical Examination:

1. Practical will be assessed on a continuous basis.
2. A pass is 40% or above (C grade or above).

Dissertation and the Viva-voce examination on the Research Project.

1. A candidate is assigned a research project once he/she passes the theory examinations.
2. A dissertation on the research project will be assessed by two examiners and thereafter a viva-voce examination will be held.

Examination criteria

To pass the examination , a candidate has to satisfy the following,

1. Obtain an overall average of  50%  for all theory papers, with not less than  40%  in any theory paper.
2. Obtain a pass in the practical component.
3. The thesis examiner has certified that his/her dissertation is of satisfactory standard and he/she has satisfies the examiners at the viva-voce examination.

Repeat Examination

1. A candidate who fails to satisfy section  (a)  of the examination criteria will be permitted, not more than once to re-sit such papers as may be necessary to satisfy the requirement.
2. A candidate who fails to satisfy the requirement of section  (b)  of the rules of examination criteria will be  permitted to repeat the practical courses once at the available opportunity.
3. Candidates who fails to satisfy the requirement of section  (c)  of the rules of examination criteria will be required to correct and re-submit the dissertation in such a manner as may be directed by the examiners.

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MSc in Medical Physics

 Syllabus

Module1 60L, 4C

Anatomy

Cell structure & organization, Gross sectional anatomy of Skeleton, Muscular, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Alimentary, Urinary, Nervous, Lymphatic, Recticuloendothelial, Reproductive systems, Eye, Ear, Mammary gland, Endocrine gland, Anatomical landmarks and surface marking of different organs

Pathology

A brief overview of the various types of clinical conditions relevant to the medical physicist.

Radiobiology

Cell survival curves, Radio sensitivity of the different phase of cell cycle, Recovery and repair, Tissue radio sensitivity, LD₅₀ concept, Physical, chemical and biological factors affecting cell survival, Tumor re-growth and normal tissue response, Non conventional fractionation scheme, and their effect of re-oxygenation, repair, redistribution in cell cycle, High LET radiation therapy, Time dose fractionation.

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Module 2   60 L

Radiation Physics

Interaction of radiation with matter; Specific ionization, Linear energy transfer, Principles of radiation detection, Radiation measuring instruments; gas detectors, Scintillation detectors, Semiconductor detectors, Neutron detectors,

Radiation Dosimetry

Units, Exposure Absorbed dose, Bragg-Gray principle, Kerma, Stopping power ratio, Electronic equilibrium, Determination of absorbed dose in free space and water for photons and electron beams, Source strength: Specific gamma-ray emission, Internally deposited radioisotopes, Effective half-life,  Dose commitment, Gamma emitters, Neutrons, Personal dosimetry.

Radiation protection

Equivalent dose, Effective Dose, Current dose limits, ICRP regulations, License, Shielding from X-rays, Gamma rays, beta rays and neutrons, Safety aspects of design and construction o of therapy rooms, Calculation of primary and secondary barrier thickness, Care and custody of sealed and unsealed sources, Internal radiation protection, Waste disposal, emergency procedures, Decontamination procedures

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Module 3 60 L

X-ray Technology

Production of X-rays, X-ray generators, Filters, X-ray beam restrictors, Grids, Intensifying screen, Physical and photographic characteristics of X-ray film and film processing, geometric factors which influence the radiographic image, Fluoroscopy, X-ray image intensifiers, Mammography, Digital radiography, Digital fluoroscopy, Digital angiography, Dual-energy radiography, Quality assurance techniques for radiographic, fluoroscopic, angiographic X-ray equipment

Ultrasound imaging

Generation of ultrasound, properties of ultrasound; reflection, transmission at interfaces; US imaging, Doppler imaging, Measurements of acoustic power and intensity, Hyperthermia and tissue destruction, Bio effects, Lithotripsy

Computed tomography

Linear attenuation coefficients, Hounsfield numbers, Introduction to tomography, First generation CT scanner, Image reconstruction, Five generation of CT scanners, Spiral CT, Image quality, Image artifacts, Quality assurance, Future developments

Magnetic resonance imaging

Nuclear spins, Magnetization, Larmor frequency, Relaxation times, Free induction decay, MRI instrumentation, Pulse sequences, Data processing, Dynamic MRI, Fast imaging

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Module 4  60 L

Nuclear Medicine & Radiotherapy

Production of radio-nuclides, Radio-nuclide generators, radio-pharmaceuticals, Diagnostic and therapeutic uses of radio-pharmaceuticals, Gamma camera, SPECT imaging, PET imaging, radio-immunoassay, In-vitro procedures, RIA kit, Quality assurance, SXRT, DXRT machines, isotope machines, Linear accelerators, Particle generators,

Brachytherapy

Introduction, Brachytherapy sources and their properties, source strength and dose specification, systems of implant dosimetry, Brachytherapy techniques, Intracavity, interstitial surface moulds, Manual and remote after loading systems, Source reconstruction and dose calculations, Comparison of HDR, MDR PDR and LDR systems, Quality Control of Brachytherapy systems.

Treatment planning

Tumor localization, GTV, CTV, PTV, Acquisition of patient specific data from simulators, CT scanners and from other procedures , General principles in treatment planning, definition of TAR, PDD, TMR, PSF, dose specifications planning techniques; fixed moving, irregular fields, Use of wedge filters, tissue compensating filters, bolus, Patient immobilization devices, Conformal therapy, dose methods of 2D & 3D, Treatment verification methods and treatment optimization methods, quality Control of treatment planning systems.

Unsealed source therapy

Choice of radionuclides, Physical and biological considerations, Dosimetry, MERD theory, Preparation for therapy, Dispensing monitor8ing and discharging of patients.

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Module 5  60  L

Other application of Physics in Medicine

Electrodes, Transducers, Temperature and blood pressure measurements, ECG, EEG, Pacemakers, Defibrillation, Surgical diathermy,  Infusion pumps, Audiometry, Optometry, Communication aids, Respiratory and cardiovascular mechanics, Biomechanics of the musculo-skeleton aystem, Properties of bioengineering materials Effects of temperature on tissues and organs, Hypothermia, Cryosurgery, Thermography, UV, RF, microwave, lasers and fibre optics uses in Medicine

Statistics

Introduction to Statistics and Probability, Data Collection, Descriptive Statistics: presentation of data tables, pie charts, histograms, Measures of locations and dispersion, Statistical distributions, Binomial, Poisson, Normal and central limit theorem and normal approximations to binomial/Poisson, Hypothesis testing, comparison of means and proportions, Association between variables, Z test, t test,  X ² test, Goodness of a fit.  Curve fitting, regression analysis.

Errors and their propagation, Fourier transform (Temporal and spatial), Modulation transfer function, correlation techniques

Module 6 120H  4

Practical Course

Experiment list

1.                  Characteristics of GM tube

2.                  Gamma spectroscopy using NaI scintillation detector

3.                  Measurement of absorbed dose using an ionization chamber

4.                  Counting statistics

5.                  Radiation detection and dose measurement

6.                   Film badge dosimetry

7.          Thermo luminescent dosimetry

8.          X-ray radiography & film processing

9.         Quality assurance in x-ray radiography

10.       Quality assurance in counting equipment

11.        Quality assurance in therapy equipment

12.        Quality assurance in CT

13.        Quality assurance in radio nuclide calibrators

14.        Quality assurance in MRI machines

15.        Quality assurance in ultrasound scanners

16.        Quality assurance in gamma camera

17.        Performance of an ultrasound scanner

18.        Performance of an ultrasound scanner

19.        Performance of a gamma camera & SPECT machine

20.        Performance of an ECG machi8ne

21        Performance of an EEG machine

22        Calibration of brachytherapy sources

23        Moly generator

24        Image processing

25        Measurement pf HVL of kV radiation beams

26        Commissioning & accepting test of Cobalt 60 machines

27        Radiotherapy treatment planning and dose calculations

28        Source reconstruction and dose calculation for brachytherapy

29        Mould room

30        Applications of computers in Medicine

31        Clinicals

32        Demonstrations

Module 7

Project 6

Minimum duration of the project is 6 months full time or one-year part time.

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