FYS4515 – Nuclear Physics I
Course description
Course content
In this course, you learn about the statistical properties of atomic nuclei and models that describe these, and about different types of nuclear reactions that are used to study the atomic nucleus.?In the course, you will also get the "toolbox" you need to analyze experimental data and extract new knowledge about the nucleus. The course provides the basis for designing experiments and interpreting their results. The course combines theoretical introduction into these topics, numerical calculations, and hands-on data analysis.
Learning outcome
After completing this course, you:
- are familiar with fundamental scattering theory, including the concepts of cross-sections, partial wave analysis, potential and resonant scattering, and the optical model.
- have an overview of different nuclear reaction mechanisms, including direct and compound reactions, and their application for experimental studies of nuclear structure.
- are able to use numerical codes to calculate fusion evaporation cross-sections, interpret the results and use the results to plan experiments.?
- have knowledge of gamma decay, both discrete and statistical, transition probabilities, and the gamma strength function.
- are familiar with statistical and thermodynamic models of the atomic nucleus such as the Fermi gas model, and how these describe gross properties of the nucleus, like the nuclear level density.
- will have hands-on experience in analyzing experimental data using the "Oslo method", to extract nuclear level densities and gamma strength functions.?
Admission to the course
Students admitted at UiO must?apply for courses?in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may?apply to take this course as a single course student.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
Recommended previous knowledge
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with FYS9515 – Nuclear Physics I.
- 5 credits overlap with FYS4515A – Nuclear Reactions.
- 5 credits overlap with FYS9515A – Nuclear Reactions.
- 5 credits overlap with FYS4515B – Statistical Properties of Atomic Nuclei.
- 5 credits overlap with FYS9515B – Statistical Properties of Atomic Nuclei.
- 4 credits overlap with FYS3520 – Nuclear physics, structure and spectroscopy (discontinued).
Teaching
The course runs over a whole semester with 6 hours of teaching per?week. The teaching consists of both?lectures and hands-on work. There will be a hands-on part where the students themselves will analyze experimental data.
This course has one mandatory?assignment (either a written submission?or a seminar lecture) midway through the semester, which must be approved before you can take?the final exam. The course also includes a written project assignment?which is part of the curriculum for the final exam.?
Examination
- Final oral exam which counts 100 % towards the final grade.
This course has a mandatory?assignment midway through the semester that must be approved before you can take?the final exam.
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: FYS9515 – Nuclear Physics I
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a?postponed exam?at the beginning of the next semester.
New examinations?are offered at the beginning of the next semester for students who do not successfully complete the exam during the previous semester.
We do not offer a re-scheduled exam for students who withdraw during the exam.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.