KARACHI INSTITUTE OF POWER ENGINEERING

Master of Science (Nuclear Power Engineering)-Course Catalogue

Principles of Nuclear Physics (NPE-403)

1. Pre-requisite: N/A
2. Course Objectives:
To introduce with fundamental concepts of Nuclear Physics as prerequisite to understand the
advanced courses of Nuclear Engineering and its applications and nuclear technology including
industrial, medical and agriculture as well as nuclear power generation
3. Course Outcomes:
After successful completion of course students should be able to have acquaintance and basic
understanding of the fundamental concepts of the Nuclear Physics and should be able to
compute basic quantities covered in the course which will provide a foundation to study
advanced courses in nuclear engineering studies
4. Learning Materials (Text Books/Reference Books/Notes/Manuals/Journals/Proceedings, etc)
 Kenneth S. Krane, Introductory Nuclear Physics, John Wiley & Sons
 Arthur Beiser, Concepts of Modern Physics, Sixth Edition, Mc Graw Hill
5. Teaching Methodology: N/A
6. Software usage: N/A
7. Advanced Topics Covered (recommendations for future studies and research area):
High Energy Physics and Fusion Research related topics
8. Assessment Mode: (Marks distribution: Quizzes/Assignments/Mini-project/presentations etc).
Marks 100 , Sessional 50, Final Examination 50,
Sessional Marks Breakup: 50, Midterm-1 15, Midterm-2 15
9. Any other detail (Optional): N/A
10. Lecture-wise Course Contents / Lesson plan:
on next page

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 KARACHI INSTITUTE OF POWER ENGINEERING
Master of Science (Nuclear Power Engineering)-Course Catalogue

Lecture Plan

Lec. No. Topics to be Covered / Lesson Plan Remarks

A Brief Overview of the Entire Course
01
Pre Quantum Concepts , Black Body Radiation, Plank’s Radiation Law
Photo Electric Effect, Compton scattering, Davison and Germer’s
02
Experiment,
Duel nature of light and matter deBroglie Wavelength, Uncertainty
03
Principle,
Special Theory of relativity, and its role in atomic and nuclear physics,
04
Michelson’s Morley Experiment
Postulates of theory of relativity, Length Contraction, Time Dilation,
05
Mass Increase, Relationship between Mass and Energy
Bohr’s Theory of atomic structure and atomic spectra, Interpretation of
06
Bohr’s quantization rule
Failure of Classical Physics, correct quantum numbers Quantum
07
Mechanics
08 Postulates of Quantum Mechanics, Wave function
Time dependent Schrodinger wave equation, Time independent
09
Schrodinger wave equation ( 1-D , 3-D)
10 Expectation values, particle in 1-D well, particle in 3-D well
11 Tunneling, quantized angular momentum
12 Theory of alpha decay
13 Energetic Alpha Decay , Nuclear Energy Levels
14 Theory of gamma decay & Energetic
Angular Momentum & Selection Rules of Gamma Decay, Internal
15
Conversion
16 Energetic, Fermi Theory, Angular Momentum & Selection Rules
17 Liquid Drop Model & Semi Empirical Mass Formula
18 Shell Model, Comparison of models
19 Revision
20 Test
Introduction to nuclear concepts, Nuclear notation, Nuclear terminology
21
Number of nuclei per unit volume,
Nucleus: it’s Constituents & Properties, Introduction to Nuclear
22
structure, Nuclear Radius & Binding Energy
Radioisotopes & Mass abundance, Angular Momentum , Magnetic
23
Moment , Parity
Properties of Nuclear Force; Nuclear stability, Binding energy and
24
saturation of nuclear force
Particle Physics , Feynman Diagrams, Fundamental particles (Quarks,
25
Leptons, Gluons), Combinations of quarks (Mesons, Baryons)

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 KARACHI INSTITUTE OF POWER ENGINEERING
Master of Science (Nuclear Power Engineering)-Course Catalogue

Theory of radioactive decay, Half Life, Mean Life, Methods of

26
measuring half life
27 Radioactive Equilibrium Radioactive decay Law
Uses of Radio Isotopes, Radioactive dating, Radioactive Doses & their
28
Units
29 Introduction to Nuclear Reactions , Types of nuclear reactions
Cross-sections of nuclear reactions, Compound nucleus theory & its
30
limitation
31 Fission Process, Fission Fragments, Fission Energy and its distribution,
Fission Probability with Fissile and fertile isotopes Fission as a source of
32
energy (Controlled Fission)
33 Fusion as source of energy in stars
34 Controlled thermonuclear reaction
35 Ionization detectors
36 Scintillation counters
37 Particle track devices
38 Semiconductor Detectors
39 Revision
40 Test

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