Nuclear Chemistry and Radioecology

The institution defines the learning objectives of the study programme such as student's abilities at the time of completion of the programme and the main learning outcomes.

Nuclear chemistry deals with the properties of matter, the chemical and physical nature of substances, which are caused by the nucleus of atoms and its transformations. It uses the properties of the nucleus and transformations, to study and solve chemical problems. Radioecology originated as response to the growing radionuclides concentration in the environment. Its interdisciplinary nature inextricably links it to nuclear chemistry. Today, it focuses mainly on the specialization and migration of radionuclides in individual environmental components (transport of radionuclides after nuclear weapons tests, after accidents at nuclear facilities, during weathering of heaps after uranium mining, etc.).

The study program Nuclear Chemistry and Radioecology of the third level of higher education is unique of its kind in Slovakia and, due to the presence of nuclear facilities and the developing nuclear industry, it is essential.

As in the study program of the second degree of higher education of the same name, the student professionally profiles himself by choosing subjects according to the focus of the dissertation in individual directions: i) radioecological significance, specialization and migration of radionuclides in the environment; ii) preparation of isotopically modified compounds and radiopharmaceuticals; (iii) development of separation and radioanalytical methods for the determination of trace elements and radionuclides; (iv) the use of nuclear-physical methods in research and practice.

The aim of third-level higher education within the study program of nuclear chemistry and radioecology is to provide the student with progress in the field of scientific research, to show him all aspects of theory, principles, methodology and practice; to teach him independent scientific research in the field of nuclear chemistry and radioecology.

The graduate of the study program nuclear chemistry and radioecology of the third level of higher education skillfully and in accordance with radiation-hygiene and safety principles controls and uses radionuclides and has knowledge about their properties, methods of their preparation and separation. Theoretically and practically controls the detection and metrology of ionizing radiation. He/She has an overview and experimental experience with the use of nuclear-physical methods in research. The graduate can apply the acquired knowledge of radiopharmacy and nuclear medicine, nuclear fuel cycle and decommissioning of nuclear facilities, radioactive waste management, safe storage, final disposal, reprocessing of nuclear fuel, radiochemical analysis and determination of radionuclides, radiation monitoring of the environment, but also from nuclear legislation. The narrower professional profiling of the graduate is according to the focus of the dissertation.

The graduate is able to design and apply new methods and procedures for solving problems in accordance with world trends and knowledge. He/She processes and presents the acquired knowledge using modern technologies. The main topics of the study program provide him/her with a theoretical and methodological apparatus enabling scientific research, formulation of their own methodological procedures for solving professional and scientific research problems, their creative application in practice, creation of information systems and databases. He/She is able to design methods of data processing and present the results of his scientific research activities at domestic and international professional and scientific events, publish them in domestic and international periodicals. To popularize the study program and the results of research to basic people. When designing methods and procedures, he/she is aware of the ethical, legal and environmental aspects of the proposed solution to the problem and applies them in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.

The graduate of the study program nuclear chemistry and radioecology has a job in the field of education, science and research; and the use of nuclear research methods, the organization and implementation of research projects, research and development, measurement of radioactivity and ionizing radiation (dosimetry).

It has applications in the areas of nuclear supervision (Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic; International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna) and radiation protection (Public Health Office of the Slovak Republic; Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic; Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic) nuclear energy industry (Slovenské elektrárne, a.s.; Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant; Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant); radioactive waste management and reprocessing (Jadrová a vyraďovacia spoločnosť, a.s.); measurements of ionizing radiation (Slovak Metrology Institute) and production of radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals (BIONT a.s.); in nuclear medicine clinics; in research institutes (Research Institute of Nuclear Energy; Research Institute of Water Management; Slovak Academy of Science; Institute of Nuclear Research Řež, Czech Republic) and universities (Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak University of Technology, St. Cyril and Methodius University in Trnava, Czech University in Prague, Oregon state university USA, Paul Scherrer Institute Switzerland).

For individual study plans, the institution states the requirements for completing the individual parts of the study programme and the student's progress within the study programme in the given structure:
- number of credits for compulsory subjects required for proper completion of studies / completion of part of study: 60,
- number of credits for compulsory elective courses required for proper completion of studies / completion of part of study:10,
- number of credits for elective courses required for proper completion of studies / completion of part of study:170,
- number of credits required for the completion of the study / completion of a part of the study for the common basis and for the relevant approval, if it is a teacher-combination study program or a translation combined study program: 240,
- number of credits for the final thesis and defense of the final thesis required for the proper completion of the study:30,