Radiological Health Physics

The course provides a broad overview of modern health physics. All subjects of health physics will be discussed in depth during a series of lectures. The course also consists of a practical part which is mandatory. The final exam is a theoretic exam in which both the student's ready knowledge and problem solving skills in the field of radiation protection are tested.

This course brings participants up to the level of allround radiation protection experts, who may function as a coordination expert in a facility. With sufficient results on the final exam you receive an additial nationally recognized diploma "Coordinating Expert in Radiation Protection". The diploma is required for coordinating radiation experts, but also experts in radionuclide laboratories, medical clinical physicists and doctors of nuclear medicine need the diploma for their work.

Lectures and tutorials on:

- Radiation, radioactivity, decay.

- Radiation sources.

- Interaction of radiation with matter.

- Methods of radiation detection.

- Radiation dosimetry.

- Radiation shielding.

- Biological effects of ionizing radiation.

- Internal dosimetry.

- Natural and man-made sources/background radiation.

- Radiation protection philosophy (protection principles).

- Rules and regulations; organizational, procedural and administrative tasks.

- Safety measures; operational radiation protection.

- Radiation protection when handling open sources.

Mandatory parts:

- Practical experiments. These include prior preparation at home, active participation during the experiments, documenting results, reporting including discussion and conclusion/giving advice. All these aspect of the practical work will be monitored and scored during the course.

- Several written assignments during the course.

- Special modules on: Non-ionising Radiation, Communication, Organization en Task and Responsibilities, Risk Analysis and Ethics.