RAD 101 — Radiation Safety I
The course provides students with fundamental knowledge of sources of ionizing radiation, radiation safety, radiation detection, and applications of ionizing radiation in the medical field, research, industry, and elsewhere through traditional lecture and laboratory experiences at the college, as well as with guest seminars from reputable experts. Course topics include: atomic structure; types of radioactive decay; half-life; nuclear reactions and equations; machine production of X rays and radionuclides; interactions between radiation and matter; biological effects and risks of radiation; shielding and atmospheric dispersion; ALARA principles; applications of radioisotopes in nuclear medicine; radiation units and conversion factors; dose units and thresholds; fundamental principles of radiation detection and measurements; calibration and operation of basic electronic laboratory instrumentation.