Module Summaries
Decommissioning
- N04 Decommissioning, Radioactive Waste and Environmental Management Syllabus
Examines and explains the process of decommissioning and considers how the related requirements should be taken into account in plant and equipment design. It establishes the requirements of the decontamination and clean-up process. The principles of the disposal and storage of nuclear waste are identified. The module covers the environmental principles underpinning the management of nuclear waste.
- N07 Nuclear Safety Case Development Syllabus
This module describes the statutory framework that regulates the nuclear industry and the overriding requirement to demonstrate, through an adequate and appropriate safety case, that all hazards associated with operations are effectively managed and controlled. It examines the fundamental building blocks of a 'modern standards safety case' and the supporting processes and methodologies used in developing them.
- N10 Processing, Storage & Disposal of Nuclear Wastes Syllabus
This module reviews the basic approaches of nuclear waste management and gives an introduction to the scientific fundamentals of nuclear waste processing and disposal. A range of topics will be discussed including classification schemes, description of basic techniques of nuclear waste processing, methods of storage, and disposal of different types of nuclear wastes.
- N31 Management of the Decommissioning Process Syllabus
Introduces the importance of making a sound case for a particular project to proceed. It covers both the financial and economic evaluation of projects, drawing the distinction between pure financial parameters and the broader economic cost benefit analysis approach. The course module goes on to cover the management of individual projects using modern proven project management techniques with case studies and real examples.
Nuclear Technology
- N01* Reactor Physics, Criticality & Design Syllabus
After reviewing the history of the industry, different reactor designs are considered together with an overview of their basic features. Reactor physics are examined in some depth, including nuclear physics, reactor physics, criticality and radioactive decay. Reactor control and safety, accidents and risk assessment, containment and core layout and end of life issues are reviewed, concluding with consideration of advanced reactor design.
* This module is a prerequisite for the N32 module (Experimental Reactor Physics).
- N02 Nuclear Fuel Cycle Syllabus
The purpose of this module is to describe the nuclear fuel cycle and examine in detail, the technical, economical, safety and environmental issues involved during each stage. The module covers the entire cycle from the extraction of ore to the disposal of waste. The processes involved in reprocessing of fuel are examined and the consequences reprocessing has, in terms of reactor fuel design and waste disposal, are discussed. Each stage is described on an international scale examining global markets and capacities.
- N03 Radiation & Radiological Protection Syllabus
Explains the properties of different types of radiation occurring as a result of nuclear processes and identifies means whereby levels of radiation and dosages can be detected and measured. The principles of radiation protection and shielding are outlined and demonstrated through practical experience with radioactive sources and detection equipment. The module concludes with an overview of ionising radiation regulations and legislation governing the impact of radiation on people and the environment. The safe handling of accidents is illustrated through case studies of real incidents.
- N07 Nuclear Safety Case Development Syllabus
The NTEC N07 Nuclear Safety Case Development module examines the fundamental building blocks and the supporting processes and methodologies used in the formulation of a 'Modern standards nuclear safety case'. Within the statutory framework that regulates the nuclear industry, there is an overriding requirement to demonstrate through an adequate and appropriate safety case that all hazards associated with operations on a Licensed Site are understood, effectively managed and controlled. This Module introduces the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively judge and influence the adequacy of licensees' nuclear safety cases.
- N13 Criticality Safety Management Syllabus
This module provides a comprehensive introduction to nuclear criticality safety and the management of nuclear criticality safety in facilities, or situations, where fissile materials are encountered outside a nuclear reactor. It is designed to reflect the core competencies specified by the United Kingdom Working Party on Criticality (WPC), and consists of a basic nuclear reactor physics and fuel cycle pre-course reading component (mandatory for students who have not yet completed the N01 module) and a one-week taught component which includes a presentation from a visiting lecturer from industry/government, and an introduction to the use of Monte-Carlo codes for criticality safety analysis. The taught component is followed by a post-course criticality safety assessment that is designed to consolidate knowledge gained during the course and to enable students to join industry with a solid understanding of the criticality safety process.
- N16 Chemical Aspects of Nuclear Technology Syllabus
Chemical phenomena govern many processes in the nuclear fuel cycle, reflecting both the diverse chemistry of the elements involved, and also the chemical effects of ionising radiation. This course unit summarises key aspects of chemistry in the nuclear fuel cycle. It assumes very limited knowledge of chemistry and will begin with a description of key chemical concepts, before exploring their relevance to different aspects of nuclear energy, specifically the chemistry of the fission and fusion fuel cycles; the chemical effects of ionising radiation in solid and solution states; chemistry of radioelements in natural and engineered environments; chemistry of light water reactors; and analytical and forensic radiochemistry. The course unit will comprise pre-learning material, complemented with workshops, Q&A sessions and lectures, demonstrations and lab exercises.
