This course provides a practical introduction to the measurement techniques used in nuclear science. It will cover the principles of operation of nuclear detectors and radiation counting techniques.

Students will use gamma-ray and particle detectors to complete an experimental project using the ANU's Heavy-Ion Accelerator facility.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

On completion of the program graduates would be expected to be able to:

1. demonstrate their understanding detector operation.
2. demonstrate competency in the use of radiation detectors.

Research-Led Teaching

The assessment aims to teach the techniques of radiation measurement and how to infer the properties of radioactive nuclei from such measurements. Students will characterise the time and energy behaviour of gamma radiation emitted from unstable nuclei that have been created by initiating reactions between ion beams from the 14UD electrostatic tandem accelerator and metallic targets. The first part of the course will involve background reading and exercises to prepare for the major experiment that is typically held in the middle of the semester at the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility. Students will operate the accelerator, create the radioactive nuclei, and monitor the gamma-ray decay over a period of one to two weeks. The remainder of the course will be centred on the data analysis and its interpretation, along with the preparation of a major written report with a focus on nuclear measurement techniques. There is considerable scope for students to self-direct their analysis and perform open-ended research of the very rich dataset that they will collect.

Field Trips

We will not run a workshop in the scheduled timeslot for weeks 1 to 4 of semester, but we will hold it for weeks 5 to 12.

Students should be available for the experiment on the accelerator that will be scheduled according to its availability for one or two specific days around the middle of the semester. This semester, the accelerator is presently booked for Monday 26/8 in week 6 and ideally students should be available for all of this day from 0800 to 1700 and then intermittently to monitor the data collection during the following week.

Additional Course Costs

None

Required Resources

Essential reading will be provided and copies of useful textbooks will be available to borrow. While it will be advantageous for students to have their own computers available for data analysis, appropriate computational resources can be made available if required.

Recommended Resources

"Radiation Detection and Measurement" by G.F. Knoll.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Background reading, assignment, and preparation for major experimental task	Logbook
2	Background reading, assignment, and preparation for major experimental task	Logbook
3	Background reading, assignment, and preparation for major experimental task	Logbook
4	Background reading, assignment, and preparation for major experimental task	Logbook
5	Introduction to laboratory and measurement methodology	Logbook
6	Week dedicated to experiment with particle accelerator	Logbook; Submit assignment
7	Data analysis and interpretation	Logbook
8	Data analysis and interpretation	Logbook
9	Data analysis and interpretation/Preparation of major written report	Logbook; Outline of written report
10	Data analysis and interpretation/Preparation of major written report	Logbook; Draft of written report
11	Preparation of major written report	Logbook
12	Preparation of major written report	Submit written laboratory report; Submit logbook

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Logbook	15 %	25/10/2024	*	1,2
Assignment	20 %	30/08/2024	16/09/2024	1,2
Development of written report; Outline and Draft	15 %	11/10/2024	18/10/2024	1,2
Laboratory Report	50 %	25/10/2024	*	1,2

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students will be expected to be present for a) the workshop in week 5, b) for an entire day when the accelerator is scheduled for the major experiment (planned for Monday in Week 6), c) irregularly in the subsequent week or two after the experiment so as to monitor measurements of their radioactive samples, and d) for most of the workshops from weeks 7 to 12.

Examination(s)

None

Assessment Task 1

Logbook

Logbook details

Students are expected to keep a logbook of all of their activities throughout the course, including notes from their background reading and the results of their pre-lab exercises and the assignment, but especially their records of the experiment itself, the subsequent data analysis and interpretation and the development of their written laboratory report.

 

Initial feedback: During the workshop in week 5, so that students are aware of expectations prior to the accelerator experiment in week 6

Due date: End of semester

Estimated return date: End of semester

Assessment Task 2

Assignment

Assignment details

This assignment is designed to ensure students can perform the data analysis and interpretation that will be required for the major experiment. It will also allow students, along with feedback on their logbooks, to have received assessment feedback during the first half of semester.

Due Date: End of week 6

Estimated Return Date: Start of week 7 (after the mid-semester break)

Assessment Task 3

Development of written report; Outline and Draft

Draft Written Report details

Students will, in an informal oral presentation, discuss their progress and what they expect to include in their report during the workshop in week 9. This will help guide the students as to the level of detail with which they should be analysing their data and the scope of their report. This will be followed by submission of an extended outline or more formal draft report in Week 10.

Due Date: End of week 10

Estimated Return Date: Mix of immediate oral feedback and more formal written feedback within a week.

Assessment Task 4

Laboratory Report

Laboratory report details

The major lab report will be focussed on the nuclear measurement techniques learned during the semester, especially how the measured quantities are able to probe the properties of radioactive nuclei such as their halflives, the energies and intensities of the emitted gamma-ray radiation, and the inferred behaviour such as the genetic relationships of nuclei in a decay chain, the number of nuclei created and the cross-sections for the production of nuclei in the reactions used. Estimates of uncertainties and comparison with literature values will be an essential part of the report.

 

Due date: End of Semester

Word limit (where applicable): No limits, but the focus should be on the nuclear measurements, how well they can be made and what information they are able to provide.

Presentation requirements: Open, but best practice would be to write in a concise style similar to a scientific journal article.

Estimated return date: End of Semester

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

Online submission of the assignment and the draft/final written reports is possible. You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your final laboratory report through Wattle. Please keep a copy of an electronic submissions for your own records.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (log book and draft report) hard copy submission is appropriate. Hard copy submissions must utilise the Cover Sheet with the declaration that the submission is your own work. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

The assignment will be returned either electronically or in person, depending on the form of submission.

The logbook will be returned in person.

The draft report will be discussed in person and additional feedback provided electronically.

The written report will be returned with feedback and a grade electronically.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students