Professor: Shearer Course format: Lecture Number of respondents: 5 Total Enrollment: 8 Class Composition: Froshs: 0 Sophs: 1 Jrs: 2 Srs: 5 Concs: 2 Non-Concs: 2 Don't Know: 1

Instructor Average: 2.40 Course Average: 2.17

"Health Hazards from Radiation Sources," is a basic course in the nature of radiation, its most common sites in society, and their implications for public health. The course also discusses the concerns of the public toward radiation, and the accuracy of common conceptions of its danger. No formal prerequisites are needed; knowledge of basic physics is useful, but by no means necessary.

Students had mainly positive opinions of Professor Shearer. He made good use of handout packets explaining his lectures and their key points, although at least one student wished their organization had been clearer. Likewise, although his lecture style allowed him to cover a large body of material with clarity, it was noted that this sometimes required him to pass over valuable details. However, Shearer was universally praised for his responsiveness to student questions, which allowed him to clarify whatever details seemed lacking.

The course required six problem sets, a midterm, a final exam, and a ten-page term paper. The material was fairly straightforward, and thus students devoted only a moderate effort to the class in spite of the work required. Some noted, however, that the required effort increased dramatically during weeks of exams and just before the due date of the final paper. Students devoted up to seven hours per week to the class, but most spent about three. Reading Period wasn"t observed: one class was held during that span, although it was also the due date for the final paper.

Although the course topic was relatively narrow and atypical, making for an unusually small class, many students found it to be a highly interesting introduction to a subject at the intersection of physics, biology and public health. It also required only a moderate effort, making it more accessible to those with a lesser science background.

For a fulfilling class in a unique and intriguing subject, consider "Health Hazards from Radiation Sources." It is stimulating and intensive, but not excessively demanding, an ideal mix.

View BI/0071 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.