This course gives an intense immersive experience that includes planning and implementing detection, verification, and retrieval of unknown nuclear and radioactive materials as a radiological emergency response assuming hypothetical radiation disasters caused by nuclear security events where a general disaster response is difficult. In "Exercise 1: Gamma Ray Source Identification", students learn the principles of gamma ray measurement and usage of gamma ray spectrometers, and practice to detect, identify, and recover unknown gamma ray sources indoors. In "Exercise 2: Neutron Source Detection", students learn the principles and usage of neutron detectors, and practice to detect and recover unknown neutron sources indoors. In "Exercise 3: Uranium Enrichment Measurement", students learn how to measure uranium enrichment, and practice to measure gamma ray spectra of low- and high-enriched uranium samples and determine the uranium enrichment. In "Exercise 4: Radiological Emergency Response", assuming a radiological emergency due to a virtual nuclear terrorism, as a first responder, students are missioned to locate, verify, and retrieve unknown virtual radiation sources outdoors.
This course aims to provide students with the emergency response and crisis management capability needed to adequately respond to radiation disasters caused by nuclear security events (sabotage, theft of nuclear or radioactive materials, use of RDD (Radiological Dispersal Device), etc.), and skills such as teamwork and communication that are important for disaster response.
By taking this course, students will learn and acquire;
1) Comprehensive and systematic thinking and responding ability to radiation disasters caused by nuclear security events
2) Principles of radiation detectors and proper handling methods of radiation detectors used for radiation disaster response
3) Technological capability necessary for quick radiation disaster response (detection, verification/identification of nuclear and radioactive materials, etc.)
4) Teamwork and communication skills for radiation disaster response
Radiation Disaster Response, Radiological Emergency Response, Nuclear Security, Crisis Management, Radiation Measurment
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Prior to performing each exercise, a related lecture is given to learn the objectives and necessary knowledge of the exercise. Each exercise is conducted by organizing students into appropriate groups according to the characteristics and objectives of the exercise. After each exercise, the exercise results are summarized by group and discussed comprehensively.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Outline of Radiation Disaster Response | To understand the course objectives and contents |
Class 2 | Exercise 1: Gamma Ray Source Identification (1) Measurement of Gamma Rays (Lecture) | To understand the principles of gamma ray measurement and the objectives of exercise |
Class 3 | Exercise 1: Gamma Ray Source Identification (2) Usage of Gamma Ray Spectrometers | To learn how to use gamma ray spectrometers |
Class 4 | Exercise 1: Gamma Ray Source Identification (3) Detection and Identification of Indoor Unknown Gramma Ray Sources | To acquire the technological capability to detect and identify unknown gamma ray sources |
Class 5 | Exercise 2: Neutron Source Detection (1) Measurement of Neutrons (Lecture) | To understand the principles of neutron measurement and the objectives of exercise |
Class 6 | Exercise 2: Neutron Source Detection (2) Usage of Neuron Detectors | To learn how to use neutron detectors |
Class 7 | Exercise 2: Neutron Source Detection (3) Detection of Indoor Unknown Neutron Sources | To acquire the technological capability to detect unknown neutron sources |
Class 8 | Discussion on Results of Exercises 1 and 2 | To acquire a comprehensive thinking ability to detect and identify radioactive materials |
Class 9 | Exercise 3: Uranium Enrichment Measurement (1) Techniques of Uranium Enrichment Measurement (Lecture) | To understand the techniques of uranium enrichment measurement and the objectives of exercise |
Class 10 | Exercise 3: Uranium Enrichment Measurement (2) Measurement of Gamma Ray Spectra of Uranium Samples | To learn how to effectively measure gamma ray spectra of small amounts of uranium samples, taking into account the effects of background, etc. |
Class 11 | Exercise 3: Uranium Enrichment Measurement (3) Determination of Uranium Enrichment of Samples | To acquire the capability to calculate and analyze uranium enrichment |
Class 12 | Exercise 3: Uranium Enrichment Measurement (4) Discussion on Exercise Results | To acquire a comprehensive thinking ability to determine uranium enrichment |
Class 13 | Exercise 4: Radiological Emergency Response (1) Mission Brief and Usage of a Virtual Radiation Detection System | To understand the mission and learn how to use the virtual radiation detection system |
Class 14 | Exercise 4: Radiological Emergency Response (2) Locating, Identifying, Retrieving of Outdoor Unknown Radiation Sources | To acquire a comprehensive and systematic thinking and responding ability, and teamwork and communication skills to the mission |
Class 15 | Exercise 4: Radiological Emergency Response (3) Summarizing of Exercise Results | To acquire a comprehensive and systematic thinking and responding ability for radiological emergency response |
Class 16 | Exercise 4: Radiological Emergency Response (4) Mission Debrief and Discussion on Exercise Results | To acquire a comprehensive and systematic thinking and responding ability for radiological emergency response |
Not specified
Course Materials:
Handouts will be distributed before or at the beginning of classes if necessary.
Activities in Class (30%), Achievements and Teamwork in Exercise Missions (30%), Presentation and Discussion on Exercise Results (20%), and Homework Assignments (20%)
A limited number of students permitted