• About the NE7313 Course...
  This one-week course is designed specifically for high school science teachers and will provide the basics of nuclear science, types of radiation (including radiation detection and protection), industrial applications of nuclear science, and nuclear power generation. This course will be of great value to instructors who wish to develop a deeper understanding of nuclear science and to implement this information in the classroom. Presentations will be technically-oriented at an introductory graduate level, and are structured for secondary teachers of physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and earth sciences. This is the 29th summer course on energy topics to be conducted by our faculty. Over 600 teachers have attended our past classes, representing over 250 schools across Missouri and the Midwest. The course instructor and guest speakers are subject experts on nuclear science and its engineering applications, and current topics in nuclear energy. They have worked extensively with regional high schools and community groups in educational projects.

  Contributors to the class are Ameren/UE, the University of Missouri Research Reactor, the national American Nuclear Society, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the MU Student Section of the American Nuclear Society support the offering of this course. Apply now...

• Class Curriculum
  The curriculum will be presented at an introductory graduate level. As can be seen from the enclosed preliminary course schedule, topics in the first two days of the class cover fundamental aspects of nuclear phenomena include: atomic and nuclear physics, radioactive decay, nuclear reactions, types of radiation, radiation detection and units, and interactions of radiation with matter. The second half of the course will be devoted to engineering applications of nuclear science: agricultural, industrial, medical, and research applications, as well as nuclear energy systems: light water fission reactors (reactor principles and thermodynamics, reactor control, safety), nuclear waste transportation and disposal, and a brief review of fusion systems (principles and current status of research) and proposed advanced fission reactor designs.

Basic hands-on laboratory experiments using several types of radiation detectors are scheduled to illustrate radiation detection and analysis. Demonstrations of reactor control and neutron activation analysis will be presented. Tours during the course will include the Callaway Nuclear Plant Visitors Center, the University of Missouri’s Research Reactor Facility, and MU's nuclear medicine therapy and diagnostic facility. Apply now...

• Credit, Housing and Cost Waiver:
  

  Three hours of graduate credit from MU (nuclear engineering) will be offered for course participation (requirements of which include the completion of a teaching unit on nuclear science related to the subject that the participant regularly teaches).  Credit is not applicable to a graduate degree in Engineering at MU, but may apply to other graduate degrees in education or science. Please consult your home university or department concerning the application of credit for hours relevant to physics, thermodynamics, chemistry, and other physical and biological sciences.  Applications for enrollment at MU will be sent to those persons selected for participation in the course.
              Costs of attending this program will be paid for each participant by the course sponsors.  This includes housing and daily meals from Monday through Friday (if the participant chooses to stay in the dormitory room provided), text materials, tuition and fees for the graduate credit, and parking. Participants will pay a $45 Graduate School application fee to enroll at MU for the 3 hours of credit.  Participants not commuting daily to the course will be encouraged to stay in University housing reserved for this course.  Participants residing at other than University housing will assume responsibility for arranging and financing their own accommodations.Apply now...

• Selection Criteria:
  Up to 30 participants will be selected from applications received.  Costs of attending the course will be paid by the sponsoring organizations, as described in the Credit, Housing, and Cost Waiver section of this brochure.  All participants must be secondary school science teachers with at least two years of teaching experience, earned a bachelors degree from an accredited institution, and be currently engaged in teaching.  In selecting individuals for participation, MU will not discriminate on the grounds of race, creed, sex, color, age, handicap, or national origin.
  
Apply now...

• Course Faculty:
  

  The primary instructor and facilitator for the Nuclear Science & Engineering for Secondary Science Teachers course is Dr. William H. Miller, whose teaching and technical areas of interest are given below.  Guest speakers from various agencies/organizations and professionals at the Missouri University Research Reactor, and the Missouri Chapter of the American Nuclear Society will provide additional course lectures on specialized topics.

  William H. Miller (Course Director) -  PhD, University of Missouri, 1976; Professional Engineer (Missouri); Certified Health Physicist.  Professor of Nuclear Engineering.  Areas of specialization:  nuclear instrumentation development; public information on energy systems and energy education; sustainable energy systems and resources; non-destructive testing using nuclear techniques.

For additional information or questions
about the Nuclear Science & Engineering for Secondary Science Teachers course, please contact:

Click here to view the preliminary Summer 2010 NE7313 schedule