NE 431:  Radiation Protection

Nuclear Engineering Curriculum Review and Mapping (10/1998)
ABET 2000
NE 431:  Radiation Protection
Instructor: P. Groer

Course Objectives for NE 431:  (Radiation Protection)

To provide students with an understanding of the scientific basis of radiation protection, to enable them to perform simple calculations related to practical radiation protection problems. The course prepares the students for entry level positions in radiation protection and related areas.

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Understanding of and ability to apply concepts of atomic and nuclear physics relevant for radiation protection.
  2. Understanding of the interactions of ionizing radiation (?,?,? and neutrons) with matter and ability to apply this knowledge to practical problems.
  3. Understanding of and ability to apply the concepts of external radiation dosimetry to practical problems.
  4. Understanding of and ability to apply the concepts of internal radiation dosimetry to practical problems.
  5. Understanding of and ability to apply statistical techniques to the analysis of counting data.
  6. Understanding of the biological effects of ionizing radiation and ability to perform basic statistical estimates of these effects.
  7. Understanding of the origin of radiation protection standards and ability to apply the standards quantitatively.
Table 1. Mapping of NE 431 Learning Outcomes to Expected ABET 2000 Program Outcomes

LEARNING OUTCOMES

ABET
Outcomes		 1
Concepts & 
Methods		 2
Data Sets		 3
Statistical 
Methods		 4
Prediction
of Risks		 5
Biological
Dosimetry		 6
Transportation,
Extrapolation		 7
Unsolved
Problems
1. Basic knowledge
X
 X X X X X
X
2. Design Experiment    
 
 
X
  
 
3. Design Process        
X
    
4. Multi-disc. Teams              
5. Formulate and solve  
X
 
 
X
 
 
6. Profession/ Ethics  
 
  
 
  
X
X
7. Communication Skills 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
8. Global/Societal
 
 
  
 
 
X
X
9. Life-long Learning
X
X
 
 
    
 
10. Contemporary Issues 
 
 
  
 
 
X
X
11. Modern Engineering Tools
 
X
 
 
X
 
  

Explanation of the Mapping in Table 1.

The eleven ABET Outcomes from column 1 in Table 1 are listed below for convenience.

ABET Outcomes:

  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 life-long learning
  10. Knowledge of contemporary issues
  11. Ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
ABET Outcome 1: The learning outcomes (LOCs) marked in the table require application of knowledge of mathematics and physics.

ABET Outcome 2: The students analyze counting data with statistical methods.

ABET Outcome 3: The students learn from counting data analysis the importance of background counts in counter design.

ABET Outcome 5: Understanding of some of the interactions of radiation with matter and of counting statistics teaches students technical aspects of counter design.

ABET Outcome 6: Radiation risk estimates and radiation protection standards provided the background for discussions of professional responsibilities.

ABET Outcome 8: Discussions of the biological effects of radiation and of the origins of radiation standards help students understand the global and societal impact of radiological engineering.

ABET Outcome 9: By pointing to the careers of some of the founders of the discipline students appreciate the importance and necessity of life long learning.

ABET Outcome 10: Radiation standards as they relate to dose-response models (e.g. linear and threshold) are a contemporary issue discussed in this course. I also discussed some of my committee work on the effects of 131I from fallout in class.

ABET Outcome 11: The students use computer programs for home work probems.


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