Experience Of A Collaborative Interaction In Nuclear Science And Engineering Between Florida Memorial University (Hbcu) And The Nuclear And Radiation Engineering Program At The University Of Texas.
- Conference
- Location
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Austin, Texas
- Publication Date
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June 14, 2009
- Start Date
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June 14, 2009
- End Date
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June 17, 2009
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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Nuclear and Radiological
- Page Count
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7
- Page Numbers
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14.603.1 - 14.603.7
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--5134
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/5134
- Download Count
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422
Paper Authors
Dimitri Tamalis Florida Memorial University
Dr. Dimitri Tamalis is an Assistant Professor in the School of Health and Natural Sciences and is repsonsible to teach health physcis in the undergraduate radiochemistry technical option.
Sheldon Landsberger University of Texas, Austin
Dr. Landsberger is Coordinator of the Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Program and has
primarily involved in the determination of heavy metals in environmental samples using nuclear
analytical methods. In particular he 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 nuclear analytical methods, nuclear instrumentation, nuclear reactor design, and nuclear reactor operations. Dr. Biegalsks research includes the development and utilization of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), prompt gamma-ray activation analysis (PGAA), neutron depth profiling (NDP), and neutron radiography. He also conducts research that supports nuclear explosion monitoring and nuclear forensics. He has experience modeling environmental pathways with a special focus on atmospheric transport modeling. In the past he has worked to develop technology in support of nuclear treaties.
Vanessa Sanders Florida Memorial University
Vanessa Sanders is a senior in the undergaduate Radiochemistry technical option in the School of Health and Natural Sciences.
Chanika Symister Florida Memorial University
Chanika Symister is a junior in the undergaduate Radiochemistry technical option in the School of Health and Natural Sciences.
Rose Stiffin Florida Memorial University
Dr. Rose Stiffin is an Associate Professor in the School of Health and Natural Sciences and is repsonsible to teach nuclear and radiochemistry in the undergraduate radiochemistry technical option.
Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract
The Novel Collaborative Interaction in Nuclear Science and Engineering between Florida Memorial University (an HBCU) and the Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Program at the University of Texas at Austin
Abstract
Often internships for undergraduate students in nuclear science and engineering follow the DOE model of placing the students in a national laboratory or at one of the two Nuclear Chemistry Summer Schools (NCSS) held annually at San Jose State University in California or Brookhaven National Lab in New York. This year, through a grant from Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois to determine the uranium and plutonium underwater, Florida Memorial University was invited to participate for one month at the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory (NETL) at the University of Texas. Florida Memorial University is the only HBCU in south Florida and one of the few in the country with an undergraduate Radiochemistry program. During July, 2008, a professor and two undergraduate students participated in research involving the use of prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) with a thermal neutron beam from the TRIGA reactor. It was envisaged that the accompaniment of a professor would greatly enhance the learning experience of the students and give a daily oversight to the progress of the research. This proved to be a very effective strategy.
Introduction
Florida Memorial University has established a successful Radiochemistry program on campus during the last two years. In a short time, approximately twelve qualified (GPA > 3.0) students have been recruited, a complete curriculum has been designed and approved by the Curriculum and Instruction Committee, and three major pieces of equipment have been installed: a sodium iodide (NaI) detector, a high-purity Germanium (hp-Ge) detector, and an α- spectrophotometer. The radiochemistry laboratory has been an indispensable component of the program supporting lecture-based pedagogy with hands-on instrumentation. While this laboratory has provided the students with interactive learning, hands-on applications, and immediate access to the professors, its main limitation is the absence of a nuclear reactor. Such a reactor is obviously beyond the scope of our program; therefore, a collaboration was sought with
Tamalis, D., & Landsberger, S., & Biegalski, S., & Sanders, V., & Symister, C., & Stiffin, R. (2009, June), Experience Of A Collaborative Interaction In Nuclear Science And Engineering Between Florida Memorial University (Hbcu) And The Nuclear And Radiation Engineering Program At The University Of Texas. Paper presented at 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition, Austin, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--5134
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