Program Overview

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Introduction to the Nuclear Science and Radiation Protection MSc Program

The Nuclear Science and Radiation Protection MSc program is offered by the University of Surrey, with the aim of integrating the acquisition of core scientific knowledge with the development of key practical skills. This program focuses on professional career development within nuclear science and its applications, including medical physics and radiation detection, and related industries.

Awarding Body and Teaching Institute

The awarding body and teaching institute for this program is the University of Surrey.

Framework and Final Award

The program is structured according to the FHEQ Levels 6 and 7 framework, leading to the final award of MSc in Nuclear Science and Radiation Protection.

Subsidiary Awards

Subsidiary awards available in this program include:

• PGDip in Nuclear Science and Radiation Protection
• PGCert in Nuclear Science and Radiation Protection

Modes of Study

The program is offered in two modes of study: | Route Code | Credits and ECTS Credits | | --- | --- | | Full-time (PCK61011) | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits | | Part-time (PCK61012) | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |

Faculty and Department

The program is administered by the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, specifically the Department of Mathematics & Physics.

Programme Leader

The program leader is PODOLYAK Zsolt (Maths & Phys).

Date of Production/Revision of Specification

The program specification was produced/revisioned on 27/01/2026.

Educational Aims of the Program

The educational aims of the program are to provide participants with advanced knowledge, practical skills, and understanding applied to nuclear physics, medical physics, radiation detection instrumentation, radiation, and environmental practice in an industrial or medical context.

Programme Learning Outcomes

The program learning outcomes are as follows: | Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | | --- | --- | --- | | A systematic understanding of Nuclear Science and Radiation protection | K | PGDip, MSc | | A comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research project | K | MSc | | Originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of nuclear physics based, experimental research projects | K | PGDip, MSc | | Familiarity with generic issues in management and safety and their application to Nuclear Science and Applications | KCT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | | A systematic understanding of Radiation Physics | KC | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | | An ability to evaluate and objectively interpret experimental data | KCPT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | | The ability to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively | CPT | MSc | | The ability to plan and execute under supervision, an experiment and to analyse critically the results | CPT | MSc | | Responsibility for personal and professional development | PT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | | Ability to identify and resolve problems arising from lectures and experimental work | PT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc |

Attributes Developed

The attributes developed in this program are categorized as follows:

• C: Cognitive/analytical
• K: Subject knowledge
• T: Transferable skills
• P: Professional/Practical skills

Programme Structure

The program structure varies depending on the mode of study:

Full-time

• The program is studied full-time over one academic year, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7.
• Possible exit awards include Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) and Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits).

Part-time

• The program is studied part-time over two academic years, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7.
• Possible exit awards include Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) and Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits).

Modules

The modules for this program are as follows:

Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7

Module Code	Module Title	Status	Credits	Semester
PHYM036	RADIATION LABORATORY SKILLS	Compulsory	15	1
PHYM048	INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY AND RADIATION BIOLOGY	Compulsory	15	1
PHYM078	INTRODUCTION TO RADIATION PHYSICS AND MEASUREMENT	Compulsory	15	1
PHYM079	ATOMIC AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS	Compulsory	15	1
PHYM021	RESEARCH PROJECT AND DISSERTATION	Compulsory	60	2
PHYM052	EXPLOSIVE STELLAR PHENOMENA	Compulsory	15	2
PHYM064	NUCLEAR ENERGY AND APPLICATIONS	Compulsory	15	2
PHYM077	COMPUTING FOR MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION PROTECTION	Compulsory	15	2
PHY3074	RADIOACTIVITY AND NUCLEAR METROLOGY	Compulsory	15	2

Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7

Module Code	Module Title	Status	Credits	Semester
PHYM036	RADIATION LABORATORY SKILLS	Compulsory	15	1
PHYM078	INTRODUCTION TO RADIATION PHYSICS AND MEASUREMENT	Compulsory	15	1
PHYM079	ATOMIC AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS	Compulsory	15	1
PHYM052	EXPLOSIVE STELLAR PHENOMENA	Compulsory	15	2
PHYM064	NUCLEAR ENERGY AND APPLICATIONS	Compulsory	15	2
PHYM077	COMPUTING FOR MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION PROTECTION	Compulsory	15	2
PHY3074	RADIOACTIVITY AND NUCLEAR METROLOGY	Compulsory	15	2

Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7

Module Code	Module Title	Status	Credits	Semester
PHYM036	RADIATION LABORATORY SKILLS	Compulsory	15	1
PHYM048	INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY AND RADIATION BIOLOGY	Compulsory	15	1
PHYM021	RESEARCH PROJECT AND DISSERTATION	Compulsory	60	2
PHYM052	EXPLOSIVE STELLAR PHENOMENA	Compulsory	15	2
PHYM064	NUCLEAR ENERGY AND APPLICATIONS	Compulsory	15	2

Opportunities for Placements/Work-Related Learning/Collaborative Activity

The program offers opportunities for associate tutors, guest speakers, and visiting academics.

Other Information

This program is aligned with the University of Surrey's Five Pillars of Curriculum Design, which include:

• Digital Capabilities
• Global and Cultural Capabilities
• Employability
• Resourcefulness and Resilience
• Sustainability

The program aims to equip students with the skills to apply their physical and mathematical knowledge in a digital context, prepare them for careers in the nuclear industry, regulators, or academia, and provide them with sound foundations in advanced physics topics.