Nuclear Engineering, M.E.

Learning Outcomes

• Comprehend and compute the magnitude of radioactivity associated with nuclear reactions and reactor operation.
• Calculate critical size of a nuclear reactor based on the specification of materials present in the reactor.
• Describe and compute reactivity effects of control materials, temperature changes, and fission product poisoning.
• Apply reactor physics calculations and modern computer programs to identify, formulate, analyze and solve nuclear engineering core operational problems.
• Evaluate fuel cycles in terms of processing, costs, and relative benefits.
• Evaluate fuel cycles for sustainability including resource availability and external costs such as environmental impact.
• Evaluate fuel management and refueling options in terms of cost and resource requirements.
• Understand the mechanisms involved in the interaction of various forms of radiation with matter and the methods of characterizing radiation fields and sources.
• Design radiological shielding for radioactive sources, accelerators, and nuclear reactors.
• Understand the current PWR and BWR power plants’ operating and protection systems.
• Understand the new generation of PWR and BWR power plants’ enhanced system features and capabilities.
• Thermodynamically analyze current reactor system, plus future concepts being proposed and developed.
• Understand the effect of irradiation on materials behavior.
• Understand materials performance limitations in nuclear fuel systems and structures.
• Understand, identify, and analyze the implications of reactor-specific parameters (fuel thermal conductivity, gap conductance) on fuel centerline temperature.
• Find pressure loss in single-phase incompressible and compressible flow and two-phase flow and find heat transfer coefficients given forced or natural convection conditions.
• Use critical heat flux correlations to determine if a particular reactor assembly channel is too hot.
• Understand atomic and nuclear physics concepts such as nuclear structure and radioactive decay, and radiation sources in general.
• Analyze of the safety of nuclear energy facilities focusing on reliability and probabilistic risk analysis.
• Assess the reliability of an energy system from its basic elements.
• Describe the Sources of LLW and HLW from the Nuclear Power Industry, the Department of Energy and Medical Institutions.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the components, options, and technological readiness of the technologies related to the projected hydrogen economy from production, distribution, storage, and end use.
• Understand the behaviour of irradiated nuclear fuel.
• Identify and understand the design criteria for materials selection in nuclear reactor systems.
• Identify irradiation sources in a nuclear reactor
• Understand irradiation effects on materials at the microscopic level
• Understand radiation effects on materials at the macroscopic level
• Understand materials degradation mechanisms due to irradiation in nuclear cladding and structural materials
• Understand the principles of radiation interaction with matter.
• Understand the principles of radiation detection and measurement, and nuclear instruments and detectors.
• Characterize the Public/ Environmental Concern for Radioactive Wastes Disposal and describe the NRC’s engagement of the public for a “Rulemaking” on these sensitive issues.
• Indicate how the NRC Regulates nuclear materials such as Radioactive Wastes and similarly, the parallel for DOE activities in this area (cite applicable NRC Regulations and DOE Orders).
• Describe the impact on regulations and disposal activities of the Closing of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle.
• The graduates have the ability to execute a research plan, to generate and analyze original research results, and to communicate those results through oral presentations and written publications.
• The graduates shall have the basic skills needed for life-long learning and professional development.