Program overview
In simple terms, this major is about learning to 'coexist peacefully' with radiation. You'll study where radiation comes from (natural and artificial), how to measure it, how to shield it, and what to do in an emergency. Core courses include radiation detection and measurement, radiation protection, nuclear safety regulations, nuclear physics, and environmental radiation monitoring. There are plenty of lab sessions where you'll get hands-on with Geiger counters, gamma spectrometers, and even visit nuclear power plants or hospital radiotherapy departments. Who is it for? If you're not put off by physics, are detail-oriented and organized, and think 'protecting the world' sounds cool, this major is a great fit. China has unique advantages in this field: it has the most nuclear power units under construction globally, and the use of nuclear technology in medicine (like CT scans and radiotherapy) is growing rapidly, creating high demand for radiation protection talent. Top universities like Tsinghua, Harbin Engineering, and University of South China offer strong faculty and lab platforms, with some courses taught in English, making it easy for international students to adapt.