KJM351 Experimental Radioecology

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:Ole Christian Lind

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Limits of class size:16

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:Total of 250 hours. Lectures: 48 hours. Laboratory exercises: 24 hours. Case study: 4 hours. Laboratory demonstrations: 2 hours. Own effort (self study, hand-in laboratory report, term paper) 172 hours. Guided term paper: time used depends on the individual.

Teaching and exam period:This course is held during 2.5 weeks in the January block. This course has teaching in the January block, while the evaluation part is during the spring parallell.

About this course

Lectures: Radioecology and the transport and mobility of radioactive substances in various ecosystems. Radioactive sources and species (speciation) and the use of advanced methods in radioecology. Biological effects of ionizing radiation alone or in combination with other stressors (e.g., stable metals). Radiosensitivity. Impact and consequence assessments. Laboratory exercises: Dynamic aquatic microcosm experiment with the use of radioactive tracers, sediments, water and biota to study speciation, mobility and biological uptake as a function of time. Sources and radioactive particles (electron microscopy). Autoradiography, characterisation of radioactive particles (electron microscopy, micro-XRF), fractionation techniques, gamma spectrometry, demonstration of gamma irradiation experiments.

Semester thesis: An independently chosen topic.

Learning outcome

The following learning outcomes are expected for candidates that have accomplished the course:

Knowledge: The student is expected to have an overview of radioecology and insight in sources of radioactivity, radionuclide speciation, mobility and transport in various ecosystems, biological uptake, effects of ionizing radiation n humans and the environments as well as impact and consequence assessments and counter measure methodology associated with radioactive fallout. The students are expected to be able to objectively assess risks associated with ionising radiation from different sources.

Skills:The student is to be able to plan, execute ad report on experimental radioecological studies which includes the use of tracer- and speciation techniques. The student is also to be able to assess adequate methods for determination of activity concentrations and source identification of radionuclides in environmental samples as well as performing dose calculations.

General competence:The student is to hold a competence that enables him/her to contribute to national nuclear preparedness activities associated with radioactive contamination of various ecosystems as well to assess consequences and the implementation of adequate countermeasures.

  • Lectures, laboratory assignments with lab report and a term paper. Approved lab journal is a prerequisite for taking the exam.
  • Case-studies included in some lectures.
  • KJM350
  • Overall assessment:

    • Laboratory journal/report 25%
    • Project assignment 25%
    • Oral examination 50%

    All parts must be passed to pass the course.

    Grading system: A-E/Not passed.

  • An external examiner will be used for the assessment of the oral examination.
  • The course is arranged over 2.5 weeks in January each year. It is strongly recommended to take KJM350, which is an autumn parallel course, prior to this course.
  • Lectures: 48 hours. Laboratory exercises: 24 hours. Case study: 4 hours. Laboratory demonstrations: 2 hours. Own effort (self study, hand-in laboratory report, semester thesis). Guided semester thesis: time used depends on the individual.
  • M-KJEMI, M-MILJØ.
  • 5 credits against KJM353
  • Letter grades
  • Special requirements in Science