coursemapLoading course
School of Engineering · ANU College of Systems and Society
Nuclear systems have many beneficial uses, ranging from medical imaging and cancer treatment to environmental monitoring – but the benefits these systems offer come with risks. For some nuclear systems, these risks – if not managed effectively – can have far-reaching and enduring impacts on society and the environment. This course will introduce a wide range of nuclear technologies being used in industry, medical and defence settings today. Students will develop expertise in some of the foundational nuclear physics and engineering knowledge required to design, operate, maintain and decommission such systems. Students will also learn how to consider nuclear systems using techniques from systems theory to identify potential risks stemming from technological, sociocultural, regulatory, and environmental factors shaping -- and being shaped by -- nuclear systems, and will learn how to integrate this view into engineering- and science-informed professional practice via individual and group assessments. Nuclear reactors will be heavily emphasized in the curriculum because of their significant risk profile, but the principles and practices introduced in the course will be applicable for engineering practices applicable to a broad range of nuclear systems.
Assignments
Learning outcomes 1, 3, 4, 5
Lab or simulation reports
Learning outcomes 1, 4, 5, 6
System design project
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Quizzes
Learning outcomes 1, 4, 6
130 hours per semester consisting of the following activities: · Face-to-face component which may consist of 12 x 2 hour lectorials per week (24 hours across the semester) · Labs or simulation exercises, consisting of 4 x 3 hours per workshop (12 hours across the semester) · Approximately 94 hours of self-directed study and independent work on assessment tasks
N/A Preliminary Reading Selections from: Lamarsh, J & Baratta, A 2017. Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, 4th edition, Pearson. Meadows, DH 2008. Thinking in Systems: A Primer, Chelsea Green Publishing. Doyle, JE 2008. Nuclear Safeguards, Security and Nonproliferation: Achieving Security with Technology and Policy, Elsevier, Oxford UK.