Syllabus
Spring semesters, MRB 109
Instructor Name: F. Ward Whicker, Professor
Instructor Contact Information: Ward.Whicker@colostate.edu
Phone: 491-5343
Textbook(s): Radioecology: Nuclear Energy and the Environment, Vol. II. Whicker, F.W. and V.
Schultz (1982),CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.
Course Prerequisites
Completion of General Physics and Calculus courses
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will understand the mathematical foundations
for developing contaminant transport models, based on multi-compartment structured systems and
first-order kinetics. They will be able to apply these mathematical techniques to human health
assessments for radioactive materials released to the environment. The student will be able to use
deterministic as well as stochastic models to estimate average as well as specified quantile
concentrations of radionuclides in biological tissues based on amounts released to or measured in
the environment.
• Review of different approaches to the estimation of radionuclide concentrations in biological tissues.
• Presentation of classic tracer kinetics, including differential equations, input and loss functions, single compartment models,
convolution integral and development of multi-compartment systems.
• Training on the use of computer software that uses numerical algorithms to solve complex models.
• Presentation of the use of experimental data to estimate kinetic parameters.
• Review of methods used to analyze and test models, including uncertainty analysis, sensitivity analysis and model validation.
Course Requirements
This class meets for two hours per week for lectures, and one-two hours per week for informal problem solving and training on the use of computer software. Homework assignments are given at the end of each hour of lecture. These are turned in to the instructor within one week. They are graded by the instructor. Course grade is based on a mid-term exam (100 points), homework (50 points), and the final exam (200 points).
Exams are closed book, individual effort. Students may work together on homework.
Grading Criteria:
A ≥ 92 %
B = 84 – 92 %
C = 75 – 84 %
D = 67 – 75 %
F ≤ 67 %
Cheating will not be tolerated. The first time you are caught cheating you will get a ZERO for
the task (exam, quiz, plagiarism on a paper or any other task). Integrity is the cornerstone of all higher
education and any infraction, however slight, is not excusable for any reason. If another is found to be
complicit in cheating, they too will receive a zero. If you are discovered to be cheating a second time you
will receive a failing grade for the class. The Course Director will make the determination if a student
has been cheating.
Mailing Address
Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences
1618 Campus Delivery
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Phone: (970) 491-5222
Fax: (970) 491-0623
Email: ERHSDepartment
