Conference Session

Curriculum Development and Teaching Models in NRE

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Dimitri Tamalis, Florida Memorial University; Sheldon Landsberger, University of Texas, Austin; Steven Biegalski, University of Texas, Austin; Vanessa Sanders, Florida Memorial University; Chanika Symister, Florida Memorial University; Rose Stiffin, Florida Memorial University

Tagged Divisions

Nuclear and Radiological

has developed improved nuclear techniques to better determine the elements of critical importance in identifying regional sources of airborne particles, and characterizing solid waste leaching dynamics. His current research interests include low-level counting of natural radioactivity, corrosion studies, Compton suppression gamma-ray spectrometry and risk assessment in radioactivity handling. He is also involved in development of distance learning education.Steven Biegalski, University of Texas, Austin Dr. Biegalski is currently the Director of the Nuclear Engineering Laboratory (NETL). He is licensed as a Professional Engineer in the states of Texas and Virginia. His research focuses on

Conference Session

Research and Education in Radiation and Radiologic

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sheldon Landsberger, University of Texas, Austin; Ofodike Ezekoye, University of Texas, Austin; David Hearnsberger, University of Texas, Austin; Rose Stiffin, Florida Memorial University; Michael Elliott, Florida Memorial University; Dimitri Tamalis, Florida Memorial University; Carlos Handy, Texas Southern University; Elena Stefanova, Texas Southern University; Muchere Russ, Huston-Tilliston

Tagged Divisions

Nuclear and Radiological

Commission (NRC) recognizes this surge inapplication submissions and is committed to reviewing these applications in a timely manner tosupport the country’s growing energy demands. Notwithstanding these facts, it is understoodthat the nuclear industry requires appropriately trained and educated personnel to support thegrowing needs of the nuclear industry and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Equallyimportant is the need to educate the next generation of students in nuclear non-proliferation,nuclear forensics and various aspects of homeland security for the national laboratories and theDepartment of Defense. From mechanical engineers educated and experienced in materials,thermal/fluid dynamics, and component failure analysis, to physicists using

Conference Session

Research and Education in Radiation and Radiologic

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Erich Schneider, University of Texas, Austin; Steven Biegalski, University of Texas, Austin; David Hearnsberger, University of Texas, Austin; Sheldon Landsberger, University of Texas, Austin

Tagged Divisions

Nuclear and Radiological

-day lectures, followed bypractical hands-on experience with a variety of portable and laboratory radiationinstruments. Half of each day will be devoted to practical hands-on exercises, which willcover instrument calibration collection of survey and dosimetry measurements.The course will cover the following: ≠ Radiation Counting Statistics; Discuss briefly the calculation of o Standard deviation of counts, o Confidence Limits, o ε2 Criterion for data rejection, o Chauvenet’s Criterion for data rejection, o Optimizing source count time for a given background, o Instrument efficiency, o Lower Limits of Detection (LLD), and o Minimum Detectable Activity

Conference Session

Curriculum Development and Teaching Models in NRE

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brenden Mervin, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Guillermo Maldonado, University of Tennessee

Tagged Divisions

Nuclear and Radiological

fundamental principles are now embedded in variouscomputational software packages developed by nuclear fuel vendors, software companies,universities and national laboratories. These software packages have become a larger componentof nuclear engineering practice, and therefore a gap presents itself as nuclear engineers transitionfrom the classroom to the workplace. Furthermore, the currently increasing demand for nuclearengineers is persuading more nuclear engineers to explore their career opportunities immediatelyafter receiving their undergraduate degree. This implies that most of these engineers will enter Page 14.484.2the workplace with little to

Conference Session

Research and Education in Radiation and Radiologic

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mitchell Pryor; Sheldon Landsberger

Tagged Divisions

Nuclear and Radiological

paper reviews interdisciplinary nuclear and automation program implemented as shown inFigure 1. One pilot student has completed the workforce development program as a Mastersstudent with two working semesters at LANL. Three PhD students are currently completing theirsecond semester of course work. Both lab and research projects have been organized for eachstudent and the feedback from the National Labs is preliminary but very positive, includingdemand for additional students.Most importantly, this program fulfills the higher level objectives of each participant. • Student Researcher – It provides year-round funding to perform relevant research while exploring the opportunities in both academia and the research laboratories. • National