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Learning about WMD

MU’s new course on nonproliferation issues explores global concerns about weapons of mass destruction

Course Description:

Weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) are a direct consequence of 20th-century technology. The challenges that we face in coming to grips with the awesome destructive power that WMDs hold will be a dominant theme of the 21st century. As citizens living within a pluralist society, we must gain a realistic understanding of the relative risks that WMDs present to our way of life. This knowledge will equip us to make informed decisions that can lead to the mitigation of these destructive forces. This course is designed to provide a foundation for those interested in nonproliferation issues of weapons of mass destruction and to provide an understanding of the proliferation risks of WMDs. Knowledge is important to help us dispel the myths and to recognize the facts. It is especially critical in choosing the issues that are most important in stemming the proliferation and possible use of WMDs. We will also recommend a strategy to limit continued WMD proliferation by addressing the underlying reasons for their continued development and deployment.

Graduate Section

Next On Campus Offering Winter 2008

MU Direct  link for Nuclear Engineering 4331/7331: http://mudirect.missouri.edu/degprog/specialized/_homeland.shtm

Nonproliferation issues for weapons of mass destruction

The topic of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is wrongly perceived by many to be a problem focused solely on nuclear technology. It is critical for students in many disciplines to gain a perspective that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is a much more complex problem that also encompasses biotechnology and chemical technology. Proliferation of WMDs is global in that many factors beyond technology contribute to the problem including economics, psychology, distribution of resources, political factors, and other influences.

This course examines the role of nuclear technology, biotechnology and chemical technology from the basics of the industries that drive the technologies to the infrastructure, workforce and resources that are required to use these technologies for the development of weapons of mass destruction. However, the course goes beyond just the technical aspects and examines the relative risks associated with each category of WMD, the historical perspective for their development and use, the human factors (e.g., the motivations that lead countries or groups to seek WMDs) and how negotiations and treaties have been used to stem WMD proliferation. The future of WMDs will be examined looking at the risks that may be posed by states, rogue nations, terrorist groups and disturbed individuals and the strategies that can be used to mitigate these threats will be discussed.

The course instructors are well known in the field and co-authored a book on this subject that was published in January, 2005. The University of Missouri is home of the worlds largest and most powerful [10 M Watts] University Research Reactor [MURR] which supports a variety of unique research opportunities. For example, the Radioanalyltical Program at MURR [including NAA] is the largest and most comprehensive University program in the US .

For additional information:

Contact Professor Mark Prelas, Professor of Nuclear Engineering; Nuclear Science and Engineering Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211; (573) 882-9691; EMail prelasm@missouri.edu.  Web Site:  http://prelas.nuclear.missouri.edu

Text

Nonproliferation Issues for Weapons of Mass Destruction

By Mark A. Prelas and Michael S. Peck

Contact Information

Telephone

573-882-9691

FAX

573-884-4801

Postal address

E2433 Engineering Bldg. East, University of Missouri

Columbia, MO 65211  USA

Electronic mail

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