Online Courses

Registered Students can login at http://distance-ed.uams.edu

Students completing this program of 80 or 200 hours of didactic training with the 620 or 500 hours of experiential training will be eligible for certification by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.  The student-centered curriculum will include interactive web based course materials, discussion groups, preceptor-led activities, and problem based learning case studies. 

Depending on the specific program, the NEO curriculum may consist of the following components:

1.  Introduction to Nuclear Education Online:  Before you step off into the nuclear physics, we want to make sure that you have the tools to succeed.  When you register in the program we will take you through a few exercises to make sure that you have the needed hardware and software (and know how to use them!) and refresh your memory on some basic math skills that may have become a little rusty. 

2.  Nuclear Physics:  An understanding of nuclear physics is critical to understanding radiation safety, radiopharmaceuticals and radiation biology.  Concepts and physical properties governing the atom to include systems and units of measure, atomic and nuclear structure, and particulate and electromagnetic radiation.  This material is fundamental to the entire curriculum.

3.  Instrumentation:  How does a GM meter work?  Why is important to determine the MCA counting efficiency?  This course will cover the operational principles of radiation detection equipment to include statistical application and quality control. 

4.  Radiation  Biology:  Introduction to the interactions of radiation and biological systems, including chronic and delayed effects through physical and chemical changes from radiation.  The biological basis for radiation safety will be presented.

5.  Radiation Safety:  A review of the legal, biological and administrative aspects of radiation protection in nuclear medicine. Emphasis on practical means of minimizing radiation exposure to the patient, staff and general public.

Accepted by Florida Board of Pharmacy, Texas Bureau of Radiation Control, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology.