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Course Overview
This page focuses on the course 22.01 Introduction to Nuclear Engineering and Ionizing Radiation as it was taught by Professor Michael Short in Fall 2015.
This course is a hands-on approach to ionizing radiation. Radiation is the central aspect that makes nuclear science and engineering (NSE) its own discipline, and sets the foundation for almost all of modern physics. The course begins by retracing the steps of famous radiation experiments and hypotheses. Next, the stage is set for the study of radiation, by showing details of the systems and reactors that use radiation. The remaining portion of the course is dedicated to describing the origins, interactions, uses, detection, and biological/chemical effects of ionizing radiation.
Course Outcomes
Course Goals for Students
- Develop fluency in basic nuclear physics
- Learn about seminal radiation experiments and hypotheses
- Explore systems and reactors that use radiation
- Describe the origins, interactions, uses, detection, and biological/chemical effects of ionizing radiation
- Apply knowledge of nuclear physics to evaluate quality of scientific claims
Curriculum Information
Prerequisites
This course, which is the first subject in the Nuclear Science and Engineering undergraduate degree sequence, has no prerequisites. It is generally taken in the first semester of sophomore year, after two semesters of freshman calculus and physics.
Requirements Satisfied
GIR
Nuclear Science and Engineering bachelor’s degree requirement.
Offered
Every fall semester
22.01 Introduction to Nuclear Engineering and Ionizing Radiation, more than any other course in the department, is the one that every nuclear scientist and engineer has to know like instinct.
— Michael Short
Below, Professor Michael Short describes various aspects of how he teaches 22.01 Introduction to Nuclear Engineering and Ionizing Radiation.
- Introducing Students to Nuclear Physics
- Developing Student Fluency, Not Just Familiarity
- Assessing Student Fluency through Conceptual Questions
- Teaching as a Graduate of the Same Program
- Engaging Students with Burnt Bananas
- Hands-on Learning Needs a Push
- Frequent Student Feedback Improves the Class
- Battling Junk Science with Critical Thinking
- Next Time, Students Help Teach the Class
Assessment
Grade Breakdown
The students' grades were based on the following activities:
Student Information
Breakdown by Year
Mostly sophomores
Breakdown by Major
Mostly Nuclear Science and Engineering majors, with some Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering students.
Typical Student Background
This is often students’ first experience with modern physics.
During an average week, students were expected to spend 12 hours on the course, roughly divided as follows:
Lecture
Met 2 times per week for 1.5 hours per session; 25 sessions total.
Recitation
- Met 1 time per week for 2 hours per session; 12 sessions total.
- Recitation sessions included explanations of course content and demonstrations.
Out of Class
- Problem sets or labs
- Quiz preparation
Semester Breakdown
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