Spring 2026 - NUSC 346 D100

Radiochemistry Laboratory (3)

Class Number: 5881

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

Course Times + Location:

Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Fri, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby

Instructor:
Krzysztof Starosta
starosta@sfu.ca
778 782-8861
Office: SCC9041

Prerequisites:
NUSC 341 with a minimum grade of C-.

Introduction to the techniques of radiochemistry; proportional and Geiger counters; sample preparations and half-life measurement; synthesis and separation of labelled compounds; beta and gamma-ray spectroscopy. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

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

Introduction to techniques of radiochemistry including safe handling of radioisotopes, safety and decontamination of radiochemistry workspaces, synthesis and separation of labeled compounds, radiation detection and measurements, beta-, gamma-, and alpha-spectroscopy, principles of data analysis from nuclear decay measurements, and identification of isotopes based on measured energy spectra and decay rate constants.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

All students completing Nuclear Science 346 should be able to:

Describe and characterize interactions of radiation with matter for gamma-rays, electrons, positrons, neutrons, and alpha particles.
Recognize natural sources of ionizing radiation, explain the background dose of radiation.
Evaluate safety hazards arising in radiochemistry, quantify biological impact of ionizing radiation dose on health, explain strategies for minimizing the ionizing radiation dose to a person, and list regulatory limits for work with radioactivity.
Describe and differentiate methods for detection of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-ray decay.
Evaluate impact of counting statistics on results of experiments detecting decay radiation.
Perform and report contamination checks using a Geiger-Mueller counter.
Perform and report swipe tests using a Liquid Scintillation Counter.
Prepare, clean up, verify, and report decontamination of radiochemistry workspaces.
Prepare a radioactive sample for alpha-, beta-, or gamma-ray spectroscopy measurement.
Perform specific chemical reactions using radioisotopes.
Operate a Surface-Barrier Silicon Counter for measurements in beta-decay spectroscopy.
Operate a Liquid Scintillation Counter for beta-decay spectroscopy including quantitative measurements of activity, calibration of quench corrections, and a measurement of the energy spectrum.
Operate a NaI Scintillation Counter for gamma-ray spectroscopy including quantitative measurements of activity, energy calibration, measurement of calibrated energy spectrum and a measurement of the decay of activity in time.
Operate a Surface-Barrier Silicon Counter for measurements in alpha-decay spectroscopy including a measurement of a calibrated energy spectrum.
Perform measurement of a centroid, Full Width at Half Maximum, and intensity for peaks in a discrete alpha- or gamma- spectrum.
Extract the decay rate constant from a time series measurement for a radioactive decay.
Identify isotopes based on results of energy and time measurements in alpha-, beta-, or gamma-ray spectroscopy.

Grading

Laboratory Reports 85%
Laboratory Notebook 5%
Performance during Experimental Work 10%

NOTES:

There will be no final exam.

Grading:

Students are expected to submit seven reports, one for each of seven experiments to be completed. The due dates will be listed on the Course Schedule posted at the class Canvas page. The format of a report will be discussed in the lab manual. Reports are to be submitted through the class Crowdmark page. A minimum of six reports must be submitted and marked for a final grade to be assigned for the course; less than six reports submitted may result in a failing grade for the course.

REQUIREMENTS:

During the first week of the semester all enrolled students must complete Radiation Safety Training offered by the SFU Work & Research Safety.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Lab Manual and lecture notes will be posted on the class Canvas page

REQUIRED READING:

G. Choppin, J-O. Liljenzin & J. Rydberg. Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry. 4th Edition. 2013. Publisher: Academic Press.
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:

SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU

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.

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