About the Department of Nuclear science

Department of Nuclear Science

Background
Objectives and activities
Teaching and Training

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The Department of Nuclear Science, previously the Radioisotope Centre, presently located in the Faculty of Science was established in 1961 on the recommendation made by a preliminary assistance mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency. It was designed as a self supporting center with laboratory, library, and training facilities.

In 1982, the Radioisotope Center was upgraded to the status of a sub department and a Director was appointed.

In 2001, the Radioisotope Center obtained the Departmental Status and was renamed Department of Nuclear Science.

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Objectives

The main aim of establishing the center was to provide training requirements and services in Atomic energy activities, to provide advice required by other institutions and carry out and assist in research and development using nuclear technology. University of Colombo was chosen as the most appropriate site as the Center would have to collaborate with many other research institutions in the country.

Activities

From the time of establishment in 1961 the Radioisotope Centre has been conducting short courses in areas such as Radiochemistry, Radiobiology and Nuclear Instrumentation to undergraduates reading for special degrees and graduate students in the University of Colombo. Some of the courses were extended to other universities by 1972. The Radioisotope Centre also conducted short courses from 1965 to science teachers and to officers of Government Department of Agriculture, Government Analyst and Irrigation Department. With the increase in the use of nuclear techniques the Radioisotope Center assisted Institutes in making measurements and also provided a maintenance and repair service for nuclear instrumentation. With the establishment of the Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) in 1969 the Radioisotope Centre continued to assist the AEA in radiation protection, industrial radiography and maintenance of nuclear instruments.

The main activities of the Department of Nuclear Science at present are summarized below

1. Teaching and Training (Undergraduate levels)

2. Teaching and Training
1. M.Sc in Nuclear Science

2. M.Sc. in Medical Physics

3. Diploma in Radiation Protection

3. Carrying out nuclear research.

4. Assisting and Collaborating with other institutions in nuclear research.

5. Providing nuclear equipment and repair services.

6. Providing routine nuclear measurement and monitoring services.

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Teaching and Training

Teaching undergraduates for special degrees in Chemistry, Botany and Zoology commenced in 1963. Thereafter from 1983 onwards new course units have been introduced by the Radioisotope Center for undergraduates reading for a General degree as well.

The Radioisotope Centre also offered a series of lectures in Isotope Hydrology to students reading for a special degree in Geography, Faculty of Arts at the University of Colombo.

The Department being the only resource center with trained competent staff of its kind teach Radiobiology and instrumentation for students reading for special degrees in Zoology and Human Biology at the University of Sri Jajawardenapura.

Resource personnel from the department teach in the following graduate programs conducted by the University of Colombo; Environmental Science and Tissue Culture. The Department staff also has supervised M. Sc. research projects under the above programs. The Department also provides resource personnel for Clinical Oncology and Radiology training programmes of the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM).

In September 2006 the Department commenced a new programme in Radiation Protection leading to a Diploma.

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