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Advanced Radiation protection/Radiation ecology

Prof. Klaus Bacher – Universiteit Gent

3 ECTS

90 hours study time


  • 20 contact hours theory
  • 12 contact hours exercises/laboratory sessions/visits
  • 12 hours personal work (reading etc.)

  • The aim of this course is:

    • to know the concepts, guidelines and regulations on radiologic protection and to be able to apply them in practical situations
    • to learn to apply the contemporary risk models for risk calculations of biologic effects
    • to understand to concepts of Monte Carlo simulations in applications for radiological protection
    • to know the concepts of atmospheric dispersion calculations for radiological impact assessments
    • to know the concepts of radiation exposure to the environment and non-human biota
    • to learn to work with the ERICA tool
    • Radiation protection concepts, guidelines and regulations:
      • ICRP 103
      • International Basic Safety Standards
    • Risk models for biologic effects of ionizing radiation:
      • UNSCEAR, ICRP and BEIR VII data
      • Lifetime attributible risk
    • Monte Carlo model calculations
      • Principles of Monte Carlo calculations
      • Monte Carlo calculations in internal dosimetry
      • Monte Carlo calculations in external dosimetry
      • Monte Carlo calculations in shielding calculations
    • Local atmospheric dispersion calculations for radiological impact assessments (seminars from Dr. Johan Camps, SCK CEN)
      • The planetary boundary layer
      • Gaussian models for routine releases and for accidental releases
      • Parameterization of models, determination of atmospheric stability
      • Plume rise, topography
      • From atmospheric dispersion results towards radiological assessments
    • Environmental radiation protection (seminars from Dr. Hildegarde Vandenhove / Dr. Jordi Vives i Batlle, SCK CEN)
      • Assessment of radiation exposure to the environment and non-human biota: global approach
      • Overview of methodologies/approaches to derive benchmarks for environmental risk assessment
      • Radiation dosimetry methods for non-human biota

    Lab sessions

    • ALARA calculations
    • Environmental radiation protection: ERICA Tiered impact assessment
    • Local atmospheric dispersion calculations for radiological impact assessments
  • The PowerPoint presentations of the lectures, and extensive lecture notes, are available on the BNEN website.

  • Courses in the following fields

    • Radiation protection
  • First and second session: oral examination with written preparation, open book – 70%
    Laboratory reports - 30%. Laboratory sessions are compulsory and cannot be repeated in the second session.

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