Class Notes Class Meetings:

This course provides an introduction to the technical issues regarding the disposal of high-level and low-level radioactive waste, as a basis for understanding and discussing the environmental and societal impact of the problem. The topics covered range from a basic introduction to the nuclear fuel cycle, a historical perspective on radioactive waste, and basics of biological effects of ionizing radiation, to the alternatives considered for waste disposal, with emphasis on geologic disposal. The focus of the course is interdisciplinary, combining nuclear engineering, geochemistry, chemical engineering, civil engineering and risk assessment, to correctly address the relevant technical issues. The course will include two group projects and class presentations and discussions on environmental aspects of radioactive waste disposal. In previous years, project topics included the environmental risks of energy technologies, options for disposition of excess weapons plutonium and the scientific basis for maximum radiation exposure levels. Each student will also present a topic of his/her choice during the semester. The objective of the course is to make the students knowledgeable about the many issues related to the disposal of radioactive wastes, mainly from civilian nuclear power, so they can interac