MSc Radiation Detection and Instrumentation

A minimum 2.2 honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in the physical or environmental sciences, electronics or in a relevant engineering discipline.

English language requirements

IELTS minimum overall: 6.5

IELTS minimum by component: 6.0

All fees are subject to increase or review for subsequent academic years. Please note that not all visa routes permit part-time study and overseas students entering the UK on a Tier 4 visa will not be permitted to study on a part-time basis.

Funding

For 2013 entry, we expect to be able to offer South East Physics Network (SEPnet) studentships. These will be for Home/EU students only. These pay 100 per cent of the tuition fees plus a £9,000 stipend. SEPnet studentships are competitively awarded to UK/EU students. SEPnet is a regional collaboration supporting teaching and research in physics across universities in the South East region. 

Some industrial sponsorships are available which cover the programme tuition fees for suitably qualified UK nationals. The programme is also supported by several major industrial sponsors who provide paid summer dissertation project placements for selected sponsored students.

Module Overview

The Radiation Detection and Instrumentation degree is a modular programme containing eight taught modules in Semesters 1 and 2, plus a summer dissertation project.

Compulsory Modules

Radiation Physics

This module provides a general overview of atomic and nuclear physics. You will gain an understanding of the structure of matter, radioactivity, types of radiation and the mechanisms by which radiation interacts with matter.

Radiation Laboratory Skills

The laboratory work is designed to give you practical experience in handling radioactive substances. Initially work comprises scripted experiments, but later on students are asked to design their own.

Radiation Measurement

The various modes of interaction of radiation with matter are discussed, including the physical principles behind radiation detection and measurement. The module introduces the concepts of dosimetry and radiation protection, and describes the basic categories and functionality of various radiation detectors.

Detector Instrumentation

Various aspects of nuclear and detector instrumentation will be covered, designed to complement experiments in the Semester 1 laboratory classes. Topics will include the performance and use of preamplifiers, spectroscopy systems, multi-channel analysers (MCAs) and digital pulse processing and pulse shape discrimination.

Computer Interfacing and Modelling

This computational module explores the various techniques used for interfacing of equipment and signal processing in the context of radiation detection systems, and it includes LabView programming, instrumentation control, data processing and FLUKA Monte Carlo programming. You will also carry out a group project to develop detector instrumentation in the laboratory.

Imaging and Remote Sensing

This module describes the types of detectors used for radiation imaging and their application to radiation monitoring and sensing. Both semiconductor and scintillators imaging detectors will be described, plus key aspects of imaging theory. The application of detectors for radiation imaging and environmental monitoring will be covered, including applications for security imaging.

Research Project and Dissertation

A full-time research project is carried out over the summer.

Optional Modules

You will choose two out of the following four modules:

Astronomical Detector Technology

Taught by the University of Sussex, this module summarises the current status of instrumentation required for astronomy research, with a particular emphasis on observational astronomy carried out at international facilities by members of the Sussex astronomy research group.

Ionising Radiation Instrumentation for Medical Physics

This module is an introduction to imaging systems: X-radiography; X-ray computed tomography; gamma cameras; single photon computer tomography (SPECT); and positron emission tomography (PET). The module also includes the use of radiation detectors in radiotherapy.

Particle Physics Detector Technology

Taught by the University of Sussex, this module is an introduction to high-energy physics instrumentation, providing an overview of the current instrumentation techniques and detector requirements for particle physics experiments.

Radiation Protection

This module involves a description of the applications and principles of radiation protection, covering the issues of radiation dose to both the wider population and to individuals, the principles of dose calculation, and example procedures for implementing radiation protection programmes.

Programme Structure

Students on the Radiation Detection and Instrumentation (RDI) programme take a range of topics from six core programme modules, covering the fundamental aspects of radiation detectors, instrumentation techniques and the underpinning radiation physics. In addition, students carry out a wide range of laboratory-based experiments and computational work, which includes a group design project and a summer dissertation project.

The optional modules in Semester 2 develop the use of detector systems in various application areas, and allow you to tailor the MSc programme towards your areas of interest.

These are offered subject to minimum student numbers. The modules taught at the University of Sussex in Brighton are offered over ten weeks on Thursdays, and are delivered by a mixture of classes and video conference.

Module List