Fundamentals and Applications of Nuclear Science
3 day Course

Coming soon...

The course introduces the basic concepts of nuclear science and technology and is suitable for participants from the nuclear industry, nuclear research organizations, universities, regulatory authorities and nuclear medicine institutes. Core topics range from the history of radioactivity, nuclide charts, radiation protection and health physics through to the storage and transportation of radioactive materials. Recent exciting developments in nuclear science are highlighted in a series of special topics covering nuclear forensic science / illicit trafficking, nuclear science with high intensity lasers, environmental radioactivity, radiation hormesis and the LNT hypothesis, etc. Lectures will be followed by a series of “hands-on” case studies based on the use of the Nuclides.net / NUCLEONICA web-based applications to give the user direct experience in the above areas.

Chemists, physicists, material scientists, engineers, technicians, and managers who recognize the need for improvement of their knowledge of the nuclear sciences. Completion of this three day course will enhance and support nuclear related decision-making as well as provide formal academic principles in nuclear science. Course requirements are a basic knowledge on the physics and chemistry. The course will be held in English.

• the natural nuclear reactors which operated underground in Central Africa around two billion years ago
• how compact, high power lasers can now be used as intense sources of nuclear radiation in the laboratory
• how a seemingly innocuous black cube ("Haigerloch" cube) was recently identified as uranium from Germany's covert nuclear reactor programme during the Second World War
• that 75,000 patients are treated annually by inhaling high concentrations of radon gas in underground healing galleries such as Bad Gastein in Austria

Recent developments on the Oklo nuclear geyser, laser transmutation, nuclear forensic science, alpha immunotherapy and radiation hormesis are just a few of the special topics covered in the training course. What makes this course unique is the emphasis on interactive and hands-on learning through the use of Nuclides.net / Nucleonica - a powerful and versatile web-based software package for calculations on radio-nuclides and their radiation. With examples, exercises and dedicated case studies, a whole variety of core and topical issues in nuclear science and technology were presented by experts in their respective fields.

Undergraduate and graduate studies have not had a great deal of formal academic training in the nuclear sciences. In view of the multi-disciplinary nature of the subject and the wealth of scientific and industrial applications, there is an urgent need for formal education in this area. In this course you will:

• Consult with experts in the field
• Develop a thorough understanding of the basic nuclear concepts
• Obtain an overview of the multi-disciplinary nature of nuclear science ranging from fundamental research to industrial applications.
• Receive a fundamental training in the field of Radiation Protection
• Receive direct hands-on experience with the Nuclides.net / NUCLEONICA web-based applications

Information on the course fees can be obtained from the course secretary. If you are interested in taking part in this course, please send us the completed application form to the course secretary.

As part of its "Enlargement and Associated Initiatives" activity, the European Commission will sponsor participants from the two new Member States (Romania and Bulgaria), Candidate Countries (Croatia, Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), and Potential Candidate Countries: (Serbia - including Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina) as well as European Neighbourhood Policy Partner Countries and non-EU Associated Countries (Switzerland, Israel, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein).

Core Topics

• Basic Concepts in Nuclear Science (History of nuclear science, radioactive decay, nuclear reactions, nuclide charts)
• Interaction of Radiation with Matter / Radiation Protection (Range of charged particles and photons in matter; biological effects of ionising radiation; radiation hormesis & LNT model; etc.)
• Nuclear Data (atomic masses, decay data, cross sections, fission yields, etc.)
• Case Studies with Nuclides.net / NUCLEONICA

Special Topics (course dependent)

• Nuclear Forensics
• Illicit Trafficking & Safeguards
• Nuclear Science with High Intensity Lasers
• Neutron Activation
• Partitioning & Transmutation (P&T)
• Environmental Radioactivity
• Alpha-Immunotherapy
• Transportation of radioactive materials
• Nuclear Education & Training

The Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU) is part of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission. The function of the JRC is to serve as a reference centre of science and technology for the European Union. The mission of ITU is to protect the European citizen against risks associated with the handling and storage of highly radioactive elements. ITU’s prime objectives are to serve as a centre for basic actinide research, to contribute to an effective safety and safeguards system for the nuclear fuel cycle, and to study technological and medical applications of transuranium elements.

Dr. Joseph Magill
European Commission
Joint Research Centre
Institute for Transuranium Elements
Postfach 2340, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany

Phone: +49 7247 951 366
Fax: +49 7247 951 591
email: joseph.magill@ec.europa.eu