Working Title of Course:
Radiochemisty – fundamental science that emerged into everyday tools for medicine and energy production (the nuclear history from the chemists perspective).
Short description of the course:
You will learn how chemical techniques were fundamental for many of the important discoveries in nuclear science and evolved into what we today call Nuclear and Radiochemistry (NRC). We will follow the exciting history of nuclear and radiochemistry to learn the basics from the great scientists themself: Starting with Marie Curie's discovery of the new elements polonium and radium, then following the historic events that lead to the atomic bomb and nuclear energy, we meet other great radiochemists like George de Havesy that pioneered the use of radio "tracers" to study the metabolic processes of plants and animals; Otto Hahn who is most famous for his part in discovering nuclear fission, but also founded "applied radiochemistry", i.e. the use of radiochemistry techniques for the research of general chemical questions; Glenn T. Seaborg who introduced the biggest change in the Periodic Table of the Elements since its creation by introducing the concept of the actinide elements and from this chemical insight went on to discover 10 new elements ("Seaborgs Greatest Hits").
We will teach you the fundamentals of radiochemistry by leading you along an exciting path of great discoveries and scientist. By completing the course you will have a good understanding of how radiochemical techniques are used to solve key issues in medicine, handling nuclear waste and many other practical applications, both in research and industry. Either you want to start on an education to become a radiochemists yourself, you simply want to understand the basics about radioactivity and it's applications, or just want to learn more about a fascinating part of science history, this course is for you!
Course duration:
8 weeks
Hours of study per week:
3 hours per week
Proposed Level:
Mainly aimed at undergraduate and postgrad students (BSc or MSc), the course should be useful also for acquiring higher competence for people working in e.g. the nuclear industry, nuclear medicine or related regulatory agencies. Furthermore it should be very useful for PhD-students that is not radiochemists, but apply radiochemical methods in their work and needs to learn the basics.
Learner Outcomes:
- Good fundamental knowledge about radioactivity. Be able to calculate amount of activity as function of time (decay) and amount of material present.
- Basic knowledge about dangers associated with radioactivity (radiation doses, safe levels and harmful effects).
- Good fundamental knowledge about nuclear fission and its application for harnessing nuclear power. Should be able to explain how a nuclear power plant works and discuss problems associated with various handling schemes for nuclear waste.
- Basic knowledge about nuclear medicine (for therapy and diagnostics). Should be able to understand and explain how radiotracers are used in medicine and their unique capabilities and advantages.
- Good understanding of the nuclear science history since Becquerel's discoveries, in particular the less frequently told chemical part of the history.
Marketing considerations
Unique Selling Point Estimates both in the US and Europe predict that there will be a critical shortage of nuclear and radiochemists in the future (predicted candidate production is about 1/5 of expected industry need). Both the US and Europe are launching programs to strengthen the interest in Nuclear and Radiochemistry (NRC). Obviously this seems to be a good choice for a carrier path. In particular since the need for NRC candidates is independent of a nuclear power build up or decommissioning – both scenarios need highly competent personnel with solid knowledge of NRC. In addition, there are important areas within "homeland security" that needs NRC competence.
What would you say is the unique selling point of your course?
Very good job opportunities
Who is your course aimed at?
Anybody interested, but in particular people that work or would like to work within the nuclear industry or nuclear medicine.
How might the course have global appeal?
Nuclear power, nuclear accidents, and nuclear medicine is relevant everywhere.
Expected number of joiners
5000
University expertise
UiO is the biggest university in Norway and the only one with an education that covers a broad range of nuclear areas. Our partners (LU and CTU) have similar unique positions in their countries within nuclear education as UiO has in Norway.
Organisational Objectives
What are your organisation’s objectives for this course? Enhance recruitment to Nuclear and Radiochemistry education. Provide interested students with a better and science based insight into the nuclear field.
Commercial Objectives
Are there any specific courses or paid-for programmes or products you hope to convert learners to from this course? We hope to recruit students (foreign and domestic) into our radiochemistry courses
What content can you provide might help market the course?
Please describe any pieces of content which could be used to promote the course outside of FutureLearn (e.g. videos, graphics, interactives) We can produce unique video promotion material from inside our labs at our institutions and partners. Videos from nuclear facilities are generally quite "cool".
University marketing support
Developing the course is supported by UiO and seen as a vital part of the university's strategy to develop into the global e-course marked.
Marketing channels
What channels do you plan to use to promote the course? No thoughts so far, but we are part of a Euratom FP7 program for planning the future of NRC education in Europe and, among other things, provide e-learning tools for this field.
Are you working with any other partners?
Loughborough University (LU) in the UK and possibly the Technical University in Prague (CTU).
Preferred course start date*:
The course should start in beg. of February in order to be integrated with our on-site course KJM3900 – Radiochemistry and radioactivity.