Health Physics level 5A/B

Course information

English language Health Physics courses Level 5 are planned two times per year in Utrecht and three to four times per year in Delft. In Utrecht, the course is offered fully in English, including all theory lectures. In Delft, the theory part has to be studied at home using English language course material.

The following health physics level 5 courses are planned:

Objective

The courses health physics level 5 concern the safe handling of radioactive sources and radiation producing equipment with a limited irradiation risk. Closed sources and X-ray equipment are dealt with in the level 5A course; the extended level 5B course also discusses working with open radioactive compounds that also cause a limited risk of radioactive contamination. Both courses provide a broad introduction in health physics and are mainly concerned with practical radiation safety.

Target group

The courses are meant for everyone who is likely to have to deal with radiation sources or equipment during their dayly work, like analists, technicians, medical personnel, industrial employees or lab technicians. Health physics level 5B is the minimal required level to work independently in a radionuclide laboratory. The groups of participants are very diverse, so we do not focus on any specific application of radiation during the course. This way, all courses are available for participants from any workfield.

Requested prior education

The basic courses health physics expert level 5 are given at higher vocational or scientific education levels (Dutch HBO/WO levels) and require at least prior education of math, physics and chemistry at higher secondairy education level (Dutch HAVO exam) or a professional education in the technical or scientific field. There are possibilities to organise an English language course for other educational levels, contact us for more information. 

Programme

The courses health physics level 5 consist of a practical and theoretical part. Active participation in the practical part of the course is obligatory. In this part a few experiments are performed to get acquainted with the basic skills of radiation protection and to clarify the theory. No reports have to be written, the course staff will assess the practical work skills during the experiments.

The following subjects will be discussed:

• Atomic structure and decay
• Radiation producing equipment
• Interactions of radiation and matter
• Detection of radiation
• Dosimetry
• Biological effects of radiation
• Law and regulations
• Practical radiation protection

Extra for level 5B:

• Radiation protection for open sources
• Internal contamination

Course material

During the course we will use the text book Practical Radiation Protection by G. Brouwer and J. van den Eijnde. This book is included in the costs of the course. Furthermore participants will receive a folder with a practical work book and a extra exercises. During the theory lessons, hand-outs of all presentations will be given.

Completion

The course is concluded with a theoretic exam consisting of 50 multiple choice questions in which all aspects of radiation protection will pass in review. To succesfully complete the course, participants have to score at least 33 of the 50 questions in the exam correctly. After passing the exam, course participants will receive the nationally recognized diploma Health Physics level 5A or 5B. This diploma is printed both in Dutch and in English. In an attachment to the diploma, the course contents are summarised.

When a course participant does not pass the exam, there is a possibility to do a retake. The course staff will inform about the dates and locations.   

Enrollment

You will find the necessary information and the enrollment form (available in Dutch and English) here.