Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - NUSC 341 D100

Introduction to Radiochemistry (3)

Class Number: 5909

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 6, 2025
    Sat, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Corina Andreoiu
    caa12@sfu.ca
    778-782-8779
    Office: SCC9073

  • Prerequisites:

    Completion of 45 units including one course of calculus (MATH 150, MATH 151, MATH 154, or MATH 157), plus one course of chemistry (CHEM 120 or CHEM 121) OR physics (PHYS 101, PHYS 120, PHYS 125, or PHYS 140).

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Brief description of the nucleus and its decays and reactions; interaction of radiation with matter; nuclear instrumentation; radioisotopes in chemistry; activation analysis and related analytical techniques; other applications of nuclear techniques; nuclear reactors and nuclear fusion. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

Please note, this course outline was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change.

Mode of Instruction:
3 lecture hours/week; 1 tutorial hour/week
Lecture: In-Person, Burnaby Campus
Tutorial: In-Person, Burnaby Campus

Course Description:
Brief description of nuclear matter, properties, sources of instability, modes of decays, nuclear reactions; interaction of ionizing radiation with matter; health physics; nuclear instrumentation; particle accelerators and radiation sources; nuclear reactors, fission and fusion, energy sources. The course will include virtual tours of TRIUMF – Canada’s particle accelerator centre, and guest lectures from Nuclear Science researchers.  

Topics:

Week 1 – 7:

1. History of Nuclear Science; why do we care about nuclear science?
2. Nuclear Forces, Nuclei and Isotopes, Nuclear Instability
3. Mass-Energy Relationships, Nuclear Radii, Nuclear Binding Energies; Q values
4. Valley of Beta Stability
5. The Shell Model, Nuclear Properties, Excited Nuclei
6. Types of Radioactive Decay
7. Kinetics of Radioactive Decay

Midterm (two hours)

Week 7 – 13:

8. Nuclear Reactions
9. Absorption of Nuclear Radiation, Interaction of Radiation with Matter
10. Health Physics
11. Nuclear Medicine
12. Radiation Detectors
13. Particle Accelerators, Nuclear Reactors
14. Virtual Tour of Canada’s Particle Accelerator Centre (TRIUMF) and Life Sciences Radiochemistry Labs
15. Invited Lectures by Nuclear Science Researchers (as time permits) 
     • Description of job opportunities

Final exam (three hours)

Grading

  • Assignments 20%
  • Midterm 40%
  • Final Exam 40%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Choppin, Liljenzin, Rydberg & Ekberg. Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry. 4th Edition. 2013. Publisher: Academic Press.

This textbook is available from the SFU library as an electronic book, and it can be downloaded in a PDF format. 
ISBN: 9780124058972

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.