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Nuclear Industry Essentials for the Nuclear Workforce
This course will introduce non-nuclear engineers and non-engineering professionals working within nuclear operations to key concepts from nuclear engineering, preparing them for opportunities in this sector without a nuclear engineering degree. Topics will include fundamental concepts in modern physics, reactor core analysis, reactor safety, radiation protection, safety culture, and nuclear fuel cycles. After successfully completing this course, students will be better prepared to apply their engineering and industry expertise to challenges within the nuclear energy sector. This course will align with the learning outcomes of the American Nuclear Society's Certified Nuclear Professional program and supports those interested in preparing for the certification exam.
Who Should Attend?
- Practicing engineers transitioning into roles in the nuclear industry.
- Technicians, project managers, and engineering managers seeking foundational knowledge in nuclear systems.
- Early-career engineers and professionals in adjacent fields seeking a deeper understanding of nuclear industry essentials.
What You Will Learn
- Explain key modern physics concepts relevant to the nuclear industry including radioactive decay, ionizing radiation interaction with matter, nuclear reactors, and neutron balance.
- Outline the major steps in the nuclear fuel cycle and compare technologies that could be used at each step.
- Differentiate between different reactor types across multiple dimensions, including: LWR vs non-LWR, Generation I/II/III/IV, Large/SMR/micro, etc.
- Discuss the root causes, evolution and lessons learned of the three major nuclear power accidents in the context of nuclear safety culture.
- Understand the framework of laws and regulations, and how they are used to regulate a nuclear power plant during different stages of its lifetime.
- Outline the major steps in the nuclear fuel cycle.
- Compare and contrast technologies that could be used at each step of the nuclear fuel cycle.
- Discuss the industrial and medical use of radiation and radioisotopes.