Report on New Master's Degree

[kearfott@engin.umich.edu]

Hi Friends! 

        I just reviewed our first year's experience with the new master's
program in radiological health engineering (health physics/radiation
protection) at the University of Michigan. The new program appears to be
doing well, with a good enrollment and (so far) fairly good practicum
placements for students. Several students actually have obtained positions
already, while others (who plan to graduate at the end of the summer) are
just beginning to look for jobs. As you know, this is a somewhat uncertain
time in the market: anybody looking for new hires with backgrounds in
engineering/physics and health physics should feel free to contact me
(hiring dates can be made quite flexible).

        Substantial interest was shown in the new Master of Engineering
program in Radiological Health Engineering (M. Eng. RHE) at the University
of Michigan during its first year of offering, 1994-1995. A total of 14
enrollees, of which 11 were U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents, arrived
for the first offering of the program in Fall 1994. This first-ever class
boasted three Department of Energy fellowships (one Applied Health Physics
and two Civilian Radioactive Waste Management), one American Nuclear
Society Scholarship, and three Health Physics Society Scholarship awards.

        In addition to completing the required courses in Radiological
Health Engineering Fundamentals, Radiation Biology, and Nuclear
Measurements (taught by Prof. Glenn Knoll), popular courses taken by the M.
Eng. RHE students included the Physics of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, a
new graduate course in Medical Radiological Health (taught by Prof. Kim
Kearfott), and Radiation Shielding. In  addition, students in the program
enjoyed courses on Radiological Monitoring, Radiation Dosimetry, Applied
Radiation Control, and Internal Radiation Dosimetry taught by UM School of
Public Health faculty. Courses in bioengineering, environmental
engineering, electrical engineering, and industrial engineering rounded out
the programs of study of the 1994-95 class.

        Although many students took heavy course loads and had varied
backgrounds, the average GPA of the students in the program was
approximately an A-/B+, with all entering students performing
satisfactorily. Of the 14 students who began the program, 12 will have
graduated within 12 months of entry (the predicted degree completion time)
and the remaining 2 students are expected to graduate at the end of the
Fall 1995 semester.  Of the 14 students in the 1994-1995 class, six have
applied to continue study towards the doctoral degree, one has obtained a
position at Batelle, and two have accepted positions at the Environmental
Protection Agency in New York. Others are currently seeking employment
while completing their degree requirements.

        For additional information about and application forms  for the
program (which is still accepting applications for the 1995-96 year and
already planning its 1996-97 class) telephone Ms. Diana Corey at (313)
764-4260, send electronic mail to dhcorey@engin.umich.edu, or write to the
Radiological Health Engineering Program, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 48109-2104. Other inquiries concerning
the program may be directed to Prof. Kim Kearfott at (313) 763-9117, at the
above address, or electronically at  kearfott@engin.umich.edu.


******************************************************
              Kim Kearfott, Sc.D., C.H.P.
          Professor, Dept. Nuclear Engineering
 Program Advisor, Radiological Health Engineering
Director of Faculty Development, College of Engineering
                University of Michigan
             108 Cooley Lab, North Campus
               Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2104
              telephone: (313) 763-9117
                 fax: (313) 763-4540
        electronic mail: kearfott@engin.umich.edu
*******************************************************