OHIO UNIVERSITY

College of Health and Human Services School of Health Sciences

IH 415/515: Introduction to Radiological Health

Offered in Fall

Instructor:  Timothy J. Ryan, Ph.D, CIH, CSP

Office:  E327 Grover Center

*This course has Class Meetings, Laboratory sessions, and field trips

Required Text:

An Introduction to Radiation Protection, 4th edition.
Alan Martin and Samuel A. Harbison. 1996. ISBN: 0 412 63110 5
Available exclusively as a reprint at Grade A Notes, West Union Street, Athens

Course Description: This class will familiarize the student with the nature of radiation, hazardous radiation, radiation control, and radiation protection issues (including waste disposal matters). Radiation measurement and detection will be covered as it pertains to natural and man-made radiation hazards. Specific focus areas will include medical radiography, waste disposal, non-ionizing issues, accelerators, radon, and radionuclide use.

Course Objectives: The student is expected to become proficient in: describing and solving basic health physics problems; using the nomenclature of the profession; understanding current Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations; explaining key facets of waste disposal issues; selecting appropriate measurement technologies for selected hazards; conducting simple risk based hazard assessments relevant to radiation uses; and have general knowledge of significant past nuclear incidents.

Course Format: Lectures, field trips when feasible or pertinent, lab sessions, demonstrations.

Attendance: Each student is expected to attend class and will be held responsible for material content as presented in class, including syllabus changes and arrangements made by the instructor in class. Attendance will be recorded, and may be used in certain grading instances to either increase or decrease a student's earned letter grade when an appropriate grade cannot otherwise be easily determined.

Grading and testing: Grades will be assigned per catalog (4 point scale). There will be two in-term exams. In addition, each student must present a detailed 15 minute presentation detailing current or past exposures from a specific radiologic hazard. The in-term exams will each be worth 40% of the course grade, with the remaining 20% allocated to satisfactory completion of the presentation and class exercises. No make-up exams will be offered.

Class Schedule

*OAS: Others as assigned

*Students should answer all “REVISION QUESTIONS” at the end of the assigned reading

**Final Exam will be per official OU exam schedule and will be comprehensive**

Syllabus Changes: Students are responsible for all class schedule changes announced by the instructor, whether these be made in class or via e-mail distribution lists. Students are encouraged to check their university assigned e-mail accounts on a regular basis in order to receive up-to-date information concerning test content, field trip logistical arrangements, etc.

LABORATORY SESSION TOPICS (Tentative; changes likely)

Week 1: Cloud Chamber Demonstration Grover, E318

Week 2:

Week 3: Scintillation counter & other measurement techniques;
OU Radiation Safety--#201 Hudson Health w/Alan Watts

Week 4: Shielding Exercise

Week 5: NRC regulations access; Government documents section, Alden Library

Week 6: Cosmic radiation—demonstration of background exposures; E 318

Week 7:X-ray & Nuclear Medicine Department; O’Bleness Hospital
Park in Dr's lot, by left side ramp next to river.

Week 8: Edwards Accelerator or OU Research Lab tour.

Week 9: Gaseous Diffusion Tour; Meet at North parking lot @ ________ sharp! Otherwise, take SH32 to plant. Return via Jackson D.Q. by 1:00 pm

Week 10: LLRW Processing Tour: Ohio University. Ridges, Bldg. 32. Otherwise, first left up hill of ridges.

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