Alpha, beta and gamma decay processes; Theory of gamma decay, quantum mechanical tunnelling, the Gamow factor, alpha decay spectroscopy; Types of beta decay processes, X-rays following beta decay, the Fermi theory of beta decay; Energetics of gamma decay, internal conversion, isomeric transitions, branching ratios and lifetimes of excited states; Review of the interaction of gamma rays with matter; Charged particle acceleration; Ion sources and principles of acceleration; A survey of accelerator types; Radiation measurement and spectroscopy; Scintillation detectors, NaI (T1) detector, characteristics and resolving time, liquid scintillation counting, quenching; Solid state detectors, the HPGe and HPSi detectors; Photopeak efficiencies and multichannel pulse height analysis; Detector resolution; Nuclear analytical methods; Thermal and fast neutron activation, neutron sources and neutron reactions, reaction cross sections, energy dependence, resonance; Neutron activation analysis, applications; X-ray fluorescence analysis, the yield equation, sources, domain of application, analytical parameters; Track analysis, principles, fission and charged particle tracks, radon measurements; Isotope dilution and solvent extraction methods of radiometric analysis; Radiation shielding and protection; Attenuation coefficients and half thicknesses, neutron shielding; Maximum permissible doses; Radioactive waste disposal; Decontamination procedures.
