NE 200:  Introduction to Nuclear and Radiological Engineering

Learning Outcomes for NE 200

1. Understand world energy needs and major energy production technologies.
2. Understand and appreciate relative environmental effects of energy production technologies.
3. Obtain knowledge about the use of radiation and radioisotopes in industry and medicine.
4. Become familiar with the major radiation types and their interaction with matter.
5. Understand how a simple radiation detector works.  Become familiar with commonly accepted dose units.
6. Be able to describe nuclear fission and a controlled chain reaction.
7. Know the function of various reactor components and materials.
8. Become familiar with reactor uses, classification, and the nuclear fuel cycle.
9. Develop an understanding and sensitivity to public perception of contemporary nuclear issues.
10. Become familiar with the faculty and curricula of the Nuclear Engineering Department and student learning that is expected in the future.
11. Learn how to work successfully as a part of a team.
12. Learn how to communicate effectively in writing and in oral presentations.
13. Develop an enthusiasm for future learning in college and also after college.
14. Feel accepted and "at home" in the Nuclear Engineering Department.
    

Course Objectives for NE 200

The objective of this course is to introduce beginning nuclear engineering students (usually first semester sophomores) to the fields of nuclear and radiological engineering.  Secondary but equally important objectives are to create a sense of attachment and belonging to the department (i.e., a home), and to develop enthusiasm for the educational journey that leads to a B.S. Degree in Nuclear Engineering.  Lectures will be presented on introductory topics in both traditional nuclear engineering and radiological engineering as described below in the Course Outline and Schedule.  Students will also be divided into teams to research a nuclear topic of their choice (but approved a priori by the instructor), and then prepare a single, team-authored, formal report. The must also prepare and present an oral presentation on their topic to the entire class at the end of the semester.  Each team will select one team member to be the speaker for the entire team; however, all team members will provide information and guidance to the speaker.  In other words, the presentation will be a team effort but with only one speaker.

The following are the 11 ABET-specified outcomes for the UTNE academic program as defined by the ABET 2000 criteria:

1. Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering
2. Ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
3. Ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs
4. Ability to function in multi-disciplinary teams
5. Ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems
6. Understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
7. Ability to communicate effectively
8. Broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering  solutions in a global/societal context
9. Recognition of the need for and ability to engage in lifelong learning
10. Knowledge of contemporary issues
11. Ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

Explanation of the Mapping Presented in Table 1 (NE 200)

ABET Outcome 1:  NE 200 is primarily an introductory information course that supplies basic knowledge about nuclear and radiological engineering to beginning students.

ABET Outcomes 2, 3, and 5:   These ABET outcomes are not addressed in NE 200.

ABET Outcome 4:  The team research project provides an opportunity for students to improve communication skills.  Use of research facilities provided by the department such as computers connected to the Internet and interaction with faculty in order to obtain information on the research topics should permit students to develop an attachment to the department.

ABET Outcome 6:  Specific course outcomes 1, 2, 3, 6, and 9 all have ethics implications such as, "should fossil fuels be used for energy production or saved for later generations to use as petrochemical feedstock?"  Such ethics issues will be discussed in class.

ABET Outcome 7: The team research project will force students to exercise and thus improve their communication skills especially oral presentation skills.  Also, by communicating with each other and with faculty members the students will hopefully feel more at home in the department.

ABET Outcome 8: Energy production is a controversial subject world wide.  For example, what France, Sweden, Russia, and the USA do regarding energy production varies greatly.  These differences will be discussed in class.

ABET Outcome 9: Future learning in college will be addressed with the faculty and curriculum overview.  It is hoped that enthusiasm for future learning will be fostered both in and beyond college.

ABET Outcome 10: Energy production and the associated environmental effects have been a contemporary political issue for many years.  Reactor safety and the entire nuclear fuel cycle are also contemporary political issues.  These issues will be addressed in class discussions.

ABET Outcome 11: For their team authored oral presentation in front of the entire class, the student speaker uses PowerPoint, which is a modern engineering tool.

Revised 08/20/2010

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