ne.gif (2791 bytes)     NE406 Radiation Protection and Shielding

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Course Syllabus

Instructor:       Ronald E. Pevey, Ph.D.

Office:             201A Nuclear Engineering Building

Office Hours:   Posted on office door

Telephone:       974-7573

Course Description:  This course reviews the basic concepts and techniques of the field of radiation protection learned in NE433, with a principal emphasis on applying the techniques using MCNP to solve a range of problems in shielding, detection, and dose deposition.

Required Text: Faw, R.E.;Shultis, J.K., Radiation Shielding, Item ID: 350021|ISBN: 978-0-89448-456-8

Course Objectives:  By taking this course, the student should gain an understanding of: 

  • Basic concepts of radiation protection
  • Physical and numerical approximations inherent in the most commonly used computer codes in the field.
  • Common sources of neutron and photon radiation, with practical applications using MCNP
  • Basic concepts and use of dosimetric response functions, with practical applications using MCNP
  • Basic techniquest to efficiently use MCNP to transport particles through material.
  • Hand calculation for dose rates from simple geometric configurations of sources and shielding

MCNP: You will be learning (or continuing to learn) how to use the MCNP code as part of this course, so you will be required to obtain your own copy of the code. You will have until the first test to obtain it; after that date, all the MCNP homework assigned to that point will be late.

Be aware that MCNP is an EXPORT CONTROLLED code. To obtain it your are required to contact RSICC at ORNL, register with them, and request a copy of MCNP. In this process, you will be required to sign several forms that lay our your obligations to protect the code and input manual from unauthorized distribution. IT IS IMPORTANT that you READ the forms before you sign them! I personally believe that the hassle is worth the effort, since this is a unique opportunity to obtain your own copy of a world-class computer code for free.

Grading: The final grade will be based on the following criteria: 

  • Test#1                                                        25% 
  • Test #2                                                       25%
  • Final exam                                                 25%
  • Final project                                              15%
  • Homework/Quizzes/Class participation   10%
I will also calculate your grade without the lowest of your test grades (including the final), with the following formula:

  • Best test grade                                         30% 
  • Second best test grade                             30%
  • Final project                                            30%
  • Homework/Quizzes/Class participation   10%
Your course grade will be based on the higher result of the two formulas.

Scale used to assign grades:
                UG             Grade
     A    90-100        90-100
     A-   87.5-90
     B+   85-87.5      85-90
     B     80-85         80-85
     B-    77.5-80
     C+   75-77.5      75-80
     C     70-75         70-75
     C-    67.5-70
     D+   65-67.5
     D     60-65         60-70
     D-    55-60
     F      <55             <60
   

To prepare for class, you should:



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