NE 432:  Radiation Risk Analysis

Nuclear Engineering Curriculum Review and Mapping (10/1998)
ABET 2000
NE 432:  Radiation Risk Analysis
Instructor: P. Groer

Course Objectives for NE 432:  (Radiation Risk Analysis)

To teach students the fundamentals of radiation risk analysis, to gain some understanding of the origin of radiation protection standards, to enable them to understand scientific reports on radiation risk estimation and to perform simple risk calculations. The topics covered and the depth of coverage prepare the students for entry level positions in the fields listed in the course description above.

Learning Outcomes for NE 432:  (Radiation Risk Analysis)

  1. Understanding of and ability to apply concepts and methods of risk analysis to data on exposed populations.
  2. Familiarity with the most important data sets on biological effects of ionizing radiation.
  3. Understanding of the statistical methods used in Radiation Risk Analysis and ability to apply these methods to practical problems.
  4. Understanding of and ability to apply statistical methods to the prediction of radiation risks for exposed individuals.
  5. Understanding of and ability to analyze biological dosimetry data.
  6. Understanding of and ability to apply statistical techniques to the problem of risk transportation between populations and extrapolation to low doses.
  7. Understanding of contemporary unsolved technical problems in Radiation Risk Analysis.
Table 1. Mapping of NE 432 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
 
2. Design Experiment    
X
X
X
  
 
3. Design Process        
X
    
4. Multi-disc. Teams              
5. Formulate and solve    
X
X
X
 
 
6. Profession/ Ethics  
 
  
X
      
7. Communication Skills 
X
  
X
X
X
X
  
8. Global/Societal
 
X
  
X
X
X
  
9. Life-long
Learning
 
  
X
X
    
X
10. Contemporary
Issues 
 
X
  
X
X
X
X
11. Modern Engineering Tools
X
  
X
X
X
X
  

Explanation of the Mapping in Table 1 (NE 432)

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 marked learning outcomes (LOCs) require an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics and science.

ABET Outcome 2: LOCs 3, 4 and 5 require analysis and interpretation of data.

ABET Outcome 3: To achieve adequate precision it is necessary to carefully design calibration experiments for biological dosimetry.

ABET Outcome 4: There are no team projects in this course.

ABET Outcome 5: Students learn how to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems by solving home work assignments.

ABET Outcome 6: Some discussions about professional and ethical responsibilities are held in connection with radiation risk estimation.

ABET Outcome 7: Students improve their communications skills by explaining the solution of some homework problems in class.

ABET Outcome 8: The global and societal impact of radiation risk estimates is discussed in connection with radiological site assessment and global transport of radioactive materials.

ABET Outcome 9: The need for life long learning is emphasized by pointing out the technical and scientific progress in the marked areas.

ABET Outcome 10: Some contemporary issues are discussed by connecting them to the indicated learning LOCs.

ABET Outcome 11: This outcome is achieved through homework assignments and related test problems.


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