575.607.81 - Radioactive Waste Management

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules on the course menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting and to complete the readings before viewing the videos. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

Course Goals

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Perform analyses of radioactive nuclides.
• Evaluate the effects of nuclear radiation on humans.
• Identify and evaluate the natural and man-made occurrences of radioactivity.
• Use the ResRad computer simulation to explore remediation options.
• Analyze and evaluate radioactive waste issues.
• Evaluate radiation-related policy issues and their potential resolution based on a scientific knowledge of radiation and its effects.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• 1) Perform analyses of radioactive nuclides: • perform decay calculations • use the chart of the nuclides to solve problems of nuclear waste • predict daughter products and emission types and energies using the chart of the nuclides • apply this skill to the clean-up, storage, and disposal of radioactive material
• 2) Evaluate the effects of nuclear radiation on human health: • understand the history of human interaction with radioactivity • calculate dose using its various definitions • evaluate risks of exposure and the efficacy of the Linear Non-threshold Model • explain methods of radiation protection • cite regulation & standard setting principles
• 3) Identify and evaluate the natural and man-made occurrences of radioactivity: • nature of presence in all media • natural radioactive hazards • background radiation • nuclear power and the quest to attain net-zero carbon releases • nuclear weapons effects and contemporary threats • industrial processes • definition and classification of nuclear waste
• 4) Use the ResRad computer simulation to: • predict the fate & transport of radioactive isotopes released to the environment and their risks of exposure • evaluate remediation options • evaluate the effect of time on a contaminated site
• 5) Analyze and evaluate radioactive waste issues: • identify major contaminated sites in the US • apply appropriate of standards of exposure • evaluate storage and disposal options • analyze case studies of major accidental releases • evaluate cleanup and transportation standards • understand national waste categories
• 6) Evaluate radiation-related policy issues and their potential resolution based on a scientific knowledge of radiation and its effects. • nuclear weapons threats • dirty bombs • legacy clean-up projects • future applications of nuclear energy

Textbooks

Eisenbud, Merrill, (1997). Environmental Radioactivity (4th ed.) San Diego, CA, Academic Press - ISBN 0-12-235154-1 (PDF of this text is available from the Sheridan Libraries at no cost.) 

Required Software

ResRad

The "on-site" version of this program can be downloaded from the ResRad web site:

http://web.evs.anl.gov/resrad/RESRAD_Family/

 You will need access to a Windows machine or Windows simulator to run this software.

Student Coursework Requirements

Individual Assignments (30%)

• Objective: Perform assigned problem solving. Problems will require either a mathematical solution or a short discussion in response to questions or both. An assignment may be consist of one or more problems in a set. There will be 10 sets per semester.
• Schedule: Assignments will be assigned beginning with Week 1. Solutions will usually be due in one or two weeks following the assignment.
• Grading: Grades will be returned with comment within one week of submittal. Solutions will be published once all grades have been assigned.

 Issue Paper (20%)  

• Objective: Analyze a current issue related to the radioactivity in the environment. Submit an issue paper. Conduct a briefing and discussion session for the class.
• Schedule:

o Week 2, select 2 or 3 topic options and submit them to me for approval.
o Week 3, receive topic approval and a date for your 15-minute briefing and 1 week discussion period.
o Week 7, submit issue paper.
o Week 7 8 through Week 13, upload a recorded presentation on the assigned date.

• Paper Format: The issue paper should be no more than ten pages in length and should contain all of the following sections:

o Statement of the issue
o Introduction and Background
o Analysis (quantitative if applicable)
o Discussion
o Conclusions
o References

• Presentation: The presentation should introduce the issue, give background, and review conclusions. Use charts and graphics to the extent useful. Total time should be about 15 minutes. Discussion will take place in the Discussion area during the 7-day period following the uploading of each presentation during which the class will interact with you on your presentation topic.

Note: The final examination may include material discussed in student special project presentations.

 Small Group Activities (15%)

• Objective: As part of a group of 2–3 students, you will be asked to work on an activity related to the material in the videos. Usually, this will involve solving a mathematical problem or discussing an issue and submitting the solution as a group along with a brief written discussion of the significance of the material to the related lecture notes, as requested. Groups will be defined in the Groups Tool. Group membership will be assigned three times during the semester.
• Schedule: A total of 20 small group activities will be assigned during Weeks 1 through 13 of the semester. Submittals will usually be due 7 days after assignment.
• Grading: The grade for the submittal will be given to each member of the group. In most cases, a school solution will be published following the deadline for completion.

 Large Group Project (10%)

• Objective: As part of a group of 3–5 students, you will work on a deliverable product, in the form of a briefing. Groups will be defined in the Groups Tool. You will upload the briefing, and conduct a discussion of the product with the whole class in the Discussion area.
• Schedule: One large group project will be assigned, beginning during Module 3. The deliverable will be due 8 weeks after the assignment. There will be no school solution. Discussion will occur during a one week period following the submittal of the presentation.
• Grading: The product and discussion will be graded two weeks after completion. Each member of the a group will receive the same grade.

 Final Examination (15%)

• Objective: The final examination will be comprehensive, covering the content of the whole course, and is intended to determine the extent to which each student has met the course objectives. It will be open book and open reference material. It will consist of a mix of mathematical problems and discussion questions. A total of about 3 hours will be needed to complete the examination.
• Schedule: The test will be released to each student as Module 14. Solutions will be due 6 days after release.
• Grading: The test will be individually graded and will be graded and returned with comment  following the release of final grades. Feedback afterwards will be on an individual basis.Discussion Participation (10%)

• Objective: Have the students actively participate in class and group discussions. One element will be the submittal and brief explanation of Press Clips by each student. These should reflect current public articles or events in areas directly related to the topics covered by the course Modules. You are expected to upload at least 5 quality Clips per semester and participate in 10 meaningful forum discussions.
• Schedule: I will conduct a continuous evaluation and will provide feedback as needed.

Discussion Participation (10%)

• Objective: Have the students actively participate in class and group discussions. One element will be the submittal and brief explanation of Press Clips by each student. These should reflect current public articles or events in areas directly related to the topics covered by the course Modules. You are expected to upload at least 5 quality Clips per semester and participate in 10 meaningful forum discussions.
• Schedule: I will conduct a continuous evaluation and will provide feedback as needed.
• Grading: Results will be reflected in the final grade for the course.

Grading Policy

EP uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10).

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.