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MDA/MDC (Minimum Detectable Activity/Minimum Detectable Concentration) Online Training

Online continuing education course for personnel evaluating measurement system sensitivity and making detect/non-detect decisions

Introduction

Radiation protection specialists conduct numerous measurements of radioactivity in their day-to-day activities. The equipment selected for use must meet certain criteria. How do  they prove that the measurement systems are sufficiently sensitive to meet the requirements for the job? Once samples are counted, how do they determine whether a sample is radioactive?

The MDA/MDC (Minimum Detectable Activity/Minimum Detectable Concentration) course helps answer these and other questions associated with radiation detection.

8 Continuing Education Credits have been requested from the American Academy of Health Physics for completion of this course.

Course description

The MDA/MDC course contains four modules designed to equip learners with the knowledge needed to evaluate the sensitivity of a measurement system, determine whether an individual sample is radioactive, and select appropriate equipment or protocols for a given measurement.

Learners will be introduced to the statistical concepts used to establish detection limits, critical levels, and other factors associated with radioactivity detection with scaler systems. The course covers conventional methods used in most cases, as well as techniques for use with low-background counting systems.

A list of the modules included in the course is provided below, along with instructions about the registration process. PTP instructors will be available via email, phone, or Microsoft Teams to answer questions and provide assistance when needed.

Target audience

The course is designed for health physicists, radiological control technologists, and personnel responsible for evaluating the detection capability of a measurement system.

Cost

$439 - Tuition includes access to the course materials via the ORAU Learning Management System (LMS).

Registration coming soon

Questions

If you have additional questions about this course, please contact the Registrar.

Impact Areas

Registration Information

These are asynchronous (self-paced) online courses. The training staff recommends that you complete the training within six months of enrollment. Once registration is complete, you will receive an email confirming that your registration has been received. Once your payment has been confirmed, you will receive an email containing your user name and temporary password if this is the first time you have registered for an online course. If you have registered before, you will receive notification that the course is now available.

Each course contains a series of modules/exercises to be completed. When all modules are complete, you will be granted access to the exam. A passing score is 70 out of 100. You will have three attempts to successfully complete the exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, a course certificate of completion will be provided.

Please read the following carefully in its entirety. You must accept these terms and conditions in order to be successfully enrolled in the course. By accepting these terms and conditions, you are legally obligated to act in accordance with this agreement.

Restricted Materials Use Agreement

By registering for this course offered by ORAU's Professional Training Programs (PTP), I understand that I will be provided with PTP-developed course materials. In exchange for receiving these materials, I agree and understand that PTP’s course materials (both electronic or hardcopy) are provided for use by the registered participant only.

Duplication and/or distribution of the course materials, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, is strictly prohibited without the prior written permission of ORAU. The participant may retain and use the course materials for personal reference in perpetuity. Publications and other copyrighted materials provided during the course may be subject to additional restrictions as noted within these documents.

Payment Policy

  • Payment in full is required in advance.
  • Register and pay online (see course listings for registration links) with a credit card (VISA, MasterCard, AMEX or Discover).
  • Contact the Registrar by email or phone for complete assistance in registration and payment.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Once access to the course material has been granted via the Learning Management System, no cancellations will be accepted and no refunds will be issued.

Links to Third-Party Websites

PTP's Online Training may include links to third-party websites that are controlled and maintained by other organizations. Any link to third-party websites is not an endorsement of said websites, and ORAU is not responsible for the content or availability of any such sites.

Recording

Sessions that contain webinars will be recorded.

ORAU Event Attendee Code of Conduct

This ORAU Event Attendee Code of Conduct (“Code of Conduct”) applies at all ORAU live and virtual meetings, conferences, forums, and meeting-related events, including those sponsored by ORAU or in conjunction with other organizations.

Please read the following Code of Conduct linked below in its entirety.

This Code of Conduct may be revised at any time by ORAU and the terms are non-negotiable.

Your registration for or attendance at any ORAU Event, whether it is held in-person or virtually, indicates your agreement to abide by this Code of Conduct.

ORAU Event Attendee Code of Conduct

Ordering Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions agreed to herein comprise the entirety of the agreement between the customer and ORAU absent any other ORAU commercial contract.

  • Module 1: Measurement System Sensitivity and Sample Detection
  • Module 2: Deciding if a Sample is Radioactive
  • Module 3: Minimum Detectable Activity and Concentration
  • Module 4: Measurement Strategies

Contact us

For more information about ORAU's Professional Training Programs, contact:

Registrar
ORAU Professional Training Programs 
P.O. Box 117, MS-11
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117
Phone: (865) 576-3576
Fax: (865) 241-9152
registrar@orau.org

ORAU Professional Training Programs flyer

View the PTP course flyer (.PDF, 1.28 MB)