PHYS221

How and why do radioactive nuclei emit radiation? How does ionizing radiation interact with matter and what does that mean for us? How is radiation used to image the body and treat cancer? What are the health hazards of radiation? How do we harness nuclear reactions to generate energy? This course surveys the fundamentals of radioactivity, nuclear reactions, x-ray and gamma physics, radiation dosimetry, medical imaging and therapy, and nuclear reactor physics. Students explore the scientific, medical, environmental, and political contexts of nuclear and radiation science. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 108 or 109.