Page 20 - Professorial Lecture - Prof Oyedele

5. NUCLEAR SCIENCE PROGRAMMES AT UNAM

As we’ve seen, there is the threat of ionizing radiation on the one hand and
the useful applications of radiation on the other hand. It is therefore
important for people, especially our science students, to be aware of the
threat as well as to know the important applications of radiation. Such
knowledge will be useful in reducing the level of environmental radiation as
well as in the development of new and safe applications of radiation.

It was partly for this reason that I introduced “Nuclear Physics” in the Physics
department many years ago. As at present, we offer Nuclear Physics and
Nuclear Science modules in the Physics Department. Our National
Qualification Framework (NQF) level 8 nuclear physics module is taken by
all Year 4 (or final year) physics students and by Year 4 education-physics
students.

Also, we offer Master of Science (MSc) degree & Doctorate (PhD) degree
in Physics (with specialization in Radiation Physics) in the Department. The
admission requirement for the MSc degree is a UNAM NQF Level 8 degree
in Physics or equivalent degree from a recognized university. That is, the
candidate is expected to have obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc)
(Honours) degree in Physics.

More recently, the Physics Department - with the support of the Faculty of
Science – introduced a MSc degree programme in nuclear science at NQF
level 9. The programme is to provide high calibre physical science
graduates with a theoretical and practical training in the field of nuclear
science and technology. More specifically, the programme responds to the
needs of the country in qualified human resources in radiation protection,
health physics and nuclear techniques. The admission requirement for this
programme is a NQF level 8 degree or its equivalent with major in Physics or
Chemistry or Mathematics and with one of the following disciplines on, at
least, a second year level: Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Geology and
Computer Science. Therefore the programme is not for only Physics
graduates, but it is opened to candidates holding a BSc degree in
Chemistry or Mathematics.