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    Radiation Fundamentals, SCO 201

    About this Course:
    This web-based course provides a basic understanding of radiation.  Topics include radiation from natural and artificial sources and the short- and long-term effects of small and high radiation doses.  An understanding of the units of radiation is provided.  The effects of nuclear accidents and other events are introduced to illustrate safe and unsafe radiation. The course is based on the writing of course author, Dr. Bjorn Wahlstrom, who has written several books on radiation.  He is a well-known nuclear physicist with experience in radiation safety, radioactive releases, radwaste, the deposition of spent nuclear fuel and environmental issues.

    Currently Scheduled

    Prerequisites:
    The course work does not have any prerequisites nor does it require a technical background.

    Who Should Attend:
    The course will be of interest to professionals including law enforcement offices, emergency management officials, first responders, public relations officers, emergency management officials, first responders, public relations officers, radiology professionals and others interested in learning about radiation.

    Expected Outcomes:
    Upon completion of the coursework, participants will understand what radiation is, its benefits, its detrimental effects, how it can be measured and controlled and which organizations provide radiation safety guidelines.

    Course Outline:
    The course session runs for seven weeks. Each week, participants complete a reading assignment and submit required tests electronically. Participants read 2-3 assignments per week and also take tests on the reading material. A list of assignments is given in the complete course description.The test responses are graded immediately, and participants may view their grades immediately.

    Week 1:
    Radiation--As Old As the Universe; Unstable Nuclei Make Material Radioactive;The Unit of Activity, The Becquerel.
    Week 2:
    Radionuclides & Your Body;Healing Radiation.
    Week 3:
    Industrial & Consumer Applications;Radiation Protection Across Borders;Dose, Dose Rate and Dose Limits.
    Week 4:
    Ionizing Radiation & Health;Any Harm from Small Doses?
    Week 5:
    Late Health Effects of High Doses;Acute Health Effects of Very High Doses.
    Week 6:
    Nuclear Accident or Incident?Radioactive Releases and Radwaste.
    Week 7:
    True and False About Chernobyl;Radiation All Around Us All the Time.

    CEU:
    2.4

    Instructor:
    Newal Agnihotri, Editor and Publisher of Nuclear Plant Journal