In the context of the wide application of nuclear techniques, this course aims to introduce students to the key concepts in nuclear physics. These include:

• Fundamental nuclear properties
• Nuclear binding energy
• Nuclear transmutation and decay
• Exponential decay law and secular equilibrium
• Nuclear reactions, fission and fusion
• Basic nuclear models (shell model, vibrational model, rotational model)

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Explain basic properties of nuclei and the forces that bind them, and compare and contrast nuclear forces with other forces in nature and argue how the unique properties of nuclei ensue.
2. Recognise common types of nuclear reactions and critically discuss their applications.
3. Explain the origin and properties of radiation emitted by unstable nuclei and appraise their applications.
4. Read nuclear level schemes and interrogate web-based nuclear databases as tools for problem solving in the application of nuclear techniques.
5. Identify and interpret key characteristics in nuclear spectra in terms of simple nuclear models.

Research-Led Teaching

Assignment and tutorial questions, along with lecture notes, will be connected to recent research outcomes, while the laboratory exercises utilise equipment in the Heavy Ioan Accelerator Facility that is used for current research.

Recommended Resources

J. Lilley, Nuclear Physics, Wiley (2001) / K. Krane, Introductory Nuclear Physics, Wiley (1987)

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.

Other Information

Please note: The dates in the assessment summary reflect the start and end dates of Semester 1. Assessment tasks will be given specific issue and return dates and will be advised to students at the commencement of the course or via Wattle.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	This course includes an intensive face-to-face component of lectures, tutorials and labwork under 6 main topics and across 4 weeks.Topic 1:The first topic is an introduction to atomic nuclei, their sizes and shapes, nomenclature, writing nuclear reaction and decay equations, the chart of the nuclides and nuclear level schemes.Topic 2:The second topic considers nuclear stability including radioactive decay modes, the radioactive decay law, and the energetics of nuclear decay. It includes masses, binding energy and energy release.	Laboratory one including logbook and write-up; Assignment one; Tutorial questions
2	Topic 3:The third topic is an introduction to the nuclear shell model. It includes an introduction to angular momentum in quantum mechanics.Topic 4:The fourth topic introduces more nuclear models: vibrational excitations in spherical nuclei, the possibility of nuclei becoming deformed and the consequences for single particle behaviour in terms of the deformed shell model, colloquially known as the Nilsson model.	Laboratory two including logbook and write-up; Assignment two; Tutorial questions
3	Topic 5:The fifth topic discusses how we can quantify nuclear collectivity and explores models of collective behaviour that can be used to describe rotational and vibrational excitations in nuclei.	Assignment three; Tutorial questions
4	Topic 6:The sixth topic is an introduction to nuclear reactions. It includes an introduction to the concepts of cross section and Coulomb barrier. It surveys reaction types: neutron induced, transfer, compound-nuclear, heavy-ion fusion-evaporation and Coulomb excitation..	Laboratory three including logbook and write-up; Assignment four; Tutorial questions

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Assignments	50 %	*	1,2,3,4,5
Laboratory Reports	30 %	24/05/2024	1,2,3,4,5
Laboratory and course logbook	10 %	30/04/2024	1,2,3,4,5
Tutorial Exercises	10 %	24/05/2024	1,2,3,4,5

* 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.

Assessment Task 1

Assignments

Four assignments comprising physics problems that assess the work covered in each of the four weeks of intensive teaching. The questions in the assignments will require various techniques for solution, including numerical calculation, interpretation with written explanation, and research using nuclear databases.

 

Due dates: Approximately every two weeks spread across semester starting after the intensive teaching period

Word limit (where applicable): None

Presentation requirements: Hard copy or Wattle submission of a single pdf file for each assignment (the latter being preferred)

Estimated return date: Two weeks after submission of each assignment

Assessment Task 2

Laboratory Reports

Three experimental/laboratory based activities will be undertaken that will be assessed through written reports. A logbook that records the measurements, analysis and interpretation will be assessed separately.  The activities to be covered include:

1) Radioactive decay: identifying gamma-rays, using calibration sources, randomness of nuclear decay.

2) Nuclear halflives: Neutron activation of indium and gold targets and tracking of their radioactive decay to measure nuclear lifetimes.

3) Neutron Activation Analysis: Workshop activities going through the analysis of spectra collected following a number of neutron activations, including calibration measurements and quantitative identification of components of an unknown sample.

Due dates: progressively through semester following after the intensive teaching period.

Word limit (where applicable): None (remembering that scientific writing should be concise)

Presentation requirements: Hard copy or Wattle submission of a single pdf file for each assignment (the latter being preferred)

Estimated return date: Two weeks after submission of each laboratory

Assessment Task 3

Laboratory and course logbook

All aspects of learning of the course benefit from keeping a logbook of activities. Students are encouraged to use a logbook to record thoughts, questions, working for assignments, as well as information about, measurements for, and analysis of results from, laboratory experiments. The part of the logbook concerning laboratory experiments will be marked. The logbook is supposed to be a working record that suits the needs of its writer, not others. It will be marked based on it being a useful record of work, not whether it is pretty or correct. The primary criteria is completeness.

 

Due date: Submitted with the final laboratory report

Word limit (where applicable): None

Presentation requirements: None

Estimated return date: End of semester 

Assessment Task 4

Tutorial Exercises

After each topic, a set of problems covering aspects of that topic will be distributed for students to complete as a means of gaining understanding before the next topic commences. Answers to the questions will be distributed after sufficient time for the students to attempt the problems. The assessment for this item will be made in terms of completeness of the student's effort to attempt the problems in a timely manner, rather than whether their responses are right or wrong.

 

Due date: One week after the end of intensive teaching.

Word limit (where applicable): None

Presentation requirements: None

Estimated return date: Two weeks after submission

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

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

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

Assignments will be returned either by hand (if hard copy) or electronically via email if submitted as a pdf through the Wattle portal.

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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Is resubmission permitted? No

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