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MILJØ410 Environmental Radiobiology

Credits (ECTS):5

Course responsible:Deborah Helen Oughton

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Limits of class size:Minimum 6; maximum 25 students

Course frequency:Odd years.

Nominal workload:

The course is based on one week of intensive lectures and practicals. Students are expected to have read and prepared from the pensum beforehand. One afternoon will include lab demonstration of some of the biomarker methods. An additional in-depth self-study on a selected topic will be required for the written assignment.

Total hours: 125

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in June block. This course has teaching/evaluation in August block, June block.

About this course

The course is based on a weeks intensive lectures. Students are expected to have read and prepared from the pensum beforehand. One afternoon will include lab demonstration of some of the biomarker methods. An additional indepth self-study on a selected topic will be required for the written assignment. The course is held every other year.

Learning outcome

The aim of the course is to give students an introduction to the fundamental principles of radiobiology, within the context of research fields on radioecology and the environmental effects of radiation. As such the course will cover both the history and the state-of-the-art of our knowledge on the biological effects of radiation on humans, and how this relates to other effects seen in non-human organisms. Areas covered include fundamental radiobiology, biological responses to ionising radiation, the use of biomarkers and toxicogenomics, factors linked to differences in radiation sensitivity, non-targeted effects (bystander, genomic instability, adaptive response, etc.,) and multiple stressors.
  • The various concepts of radiobiology (such as target theory) will be introduced as problems for the class to discuss. Following the class discussion and the production of a hypothesis, the classical solutions and work in this area will be discussed. Repetition of this approach will allow students to become immersed in the topic, and will encourage them to derive the fundamental tenets of radiobiology for themselves. Lectures will be supported by two half days of practical work demonstrating how classic radiation effect biomarkers (chromosome aberration, bystander effects, etc) can be applied in radioecology.
  • Students will have access to all guest lecturers during joint lunches for the duration of the course. Each student will be assigned a mentor for the course assignment.
  • Basic principles of radiation protection (eg. KJM350 or similar)

  • The students will prepare a written assignment on a choice of topics.

    Grading scale: Passed / Not passed



  • External examiner will control the quality of the assigments
  • Lectures and practicals (80% attendance) Written assignment
  • This course is not suitable for online teaching.
  • 30 hrs lectures/practicals, 20 hrs preparation/self-study, 75 hrs written assignment
  • 5 ECTS against MINA410.
  • Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse)