Syllabus for Introduction to Nuclear Physics 129

Spring 2006

Prof. Daniel Ferenc

Physics Department

Office/Lab: 537, 540 (try both places!!!); Phys/Geo, tel: 752-0917

//www.physics.ucdavis.edu/ferenc/129

NEW : LECTURE NOTES  (pdf format)

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS, CHapter 10, 11 (pdf format)

1. Randy Harriss, Nonclassical Physics, Addison Wessley (a standrd 9D Modern Physics textbook, nice introduction to the field)
2. K.S. Crane, Introductory Nuclear Physics, John Willey and Sons, 1987 (this is probably the best among these books, but it is too detailed)
3. M. Longair, High energy astrophysics, 3 volumes, many editions (a very good introduction to nuclear astrophysics)
4. W.E. Meyerhof, elements of Nuclear Physics, Mc-Graw-Hill, 1967
5. W.N. Cottingham and D.A. Greenwood, An Introduction to nuclear physics, Cambridge University Press, 1986
6. Copies of some articles from popular science journals will also be provided.

1. Introduction: quantum physics, special theory of relativity, particle physics and nuclear physics
   
2. Basic Nuclear Structure
3. Nuclear decays and radioactivity
4. Gamma ray spectroscopy - Lab. demonstration
5. Nuclear medicine - Lab. demonstration
6. Nuclear power and nuclear weapons
7. Cosmology and nuclear astrophysics
   

ATTENDANCE;
Crucally important!!!

HOMEWORK: The homework will be collected and occasionally checked in detail (but never graded).

MIDTERM EXAMS AND QUIZZES: The exams will be OPEN-book and OPEN-notes. Quizzes will be of  20 minutes duration. The quizzes will consist of slightly modified homework problems, or problems similar enough to the homework that they can easily be solved by a student who has successfully completed the homework. No equations or constants will be provided. Make-up quizzes will not be given (except under circumstances such as prolonged illness or other similar problems). However, arrangement may be made to take a quiz EARLY if necessary.
Quizzes will be given on Thursdays, at the end of the class time, and graded tests will be returned on the following Tuesdays, if possible.

One midterm will be given.

Calculators are mandatory, and NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN FOR ANSWERS WITHOUT WORK SHOWN. Arrangement for make-up exams must be made PRIOR to the day of the exam, with the following exception: If I cannot be reached prior to the exam, and you are sick, obtain written documentation from the health center. Regrades of exams will be accepted within ONE WEEK only of the exam's return. Attach a note with your grievance to the exam. Do not write on it. Regrades should be directed to me, either following class or at my office. You must take the final exam at the time given in the schedule, except in case of emergency, or if you wish to take the final EARLY because you have THREE or more finals on this day and can furnish proof.

FINAL EXAM - ORAL!
The FINAL will be an ORAL EXAM, scheduled in advance for every student, of about 15 minutes duration, with 5 min. preparation time. Clear understanding of the very basic concepts is required. Due to time constraints during the finals week, the oral exams will probably start already during the last week of the quarter.
In case that a student would strongly prefer not to have an oral exam, I will be more than happy to arrange for a written exam.

GRADING: Final grade will be based on the entire performance during the quarter, including the oral exam. The class will NOT be graded on a curve, i.e. in theory every student may get an "A+", or "F-".
Cases of suspected cheating will without exception be referred to Judicial Affairs.
 

ASSISTANCE: Please, DO NOT contact me via E-mail. Address your questions either in a written form, or simply come to see me during office hours, or after a lecture. I will hold office hours and discussions in my office, physics/geology 537 (please check also 535 and 540), Tuesday and Friday 2-3pm. I am also available by appointment (please call me - my cell phone: 530-220-3960). Our TA is Deng Zhang. He should help you with problem solutions. Office hours to be announced