Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Introduction to Nuclear Sciences and Engineering
Code ENGG425
Coordinator Prof EA Patterson
Mechanical, Materials & Aerospace Eng
Eann.Patterson@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2018-19 Level 8 FHEQ First Semester 45

Aims

To provide an introduction to Nuclear Physics, Chemistry, the Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Nuclear Engineering, Structural Engineering, Fuel Reactors & Strategic Materials, Risk Assessment & Decision Making, Radiation Effects, Radioactive Waste and the Environmental/biogeochem Nuclear Legacy.


Learning Outcomes

An understanding of the nature and properties of the atomic nucleus, the interactions of radiation with matter and nuclear spectrometry.

A solid knowledge base in all fundamental areas of basic inorganic chemistry across the actinides this will include structural, solution and redox.

A broad overview of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle.

Relationship between the atomic and microscopic structure and the physical properties of the important materials in the nuclear industry.

Understanding how materials are made, and how the manufacturing process can affect the final performance of the material.

Knowledge of how materials can degrade and age in service under different conditions.

Appreciate what techniques are available to monitor materials and structures to ensure safety in operations.

Understand analytical technques used in environmental radiochemistry.

Appreciate the processes that control the migration of pollutant radionuclides in the environment, and praticularly in the vicinity of a radioactive waste repository.

Knowledge of the properties and chemistry of radioactive waste and its behaviour in a repository.
Understand chemical speciation calculations and coupled chemical transport modelling.

Understanding of how operations are carried out on a UK licensed nuclear site.


Syllabus

Introductory Nuclear Physics, Introductory Chemistry, Introduction to Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Nuclear Engineering, Risk assessment and decision making, Fuel Reactors and Strategic Materials, Structural Engineering, Radiation Effects, Radioactive Waste, and Environmental/biogeochem/nuclear legacy.  Working principles of a nuclear reactor, the nuclear fuel cycle processes and decommissioning operations undertaken on UK sites, such as Sellafield.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - 3 hours per day for three days for each of 10 sections

Laboratory Work - 3 hours on 2 days in each of 10 sections

Group-work - 3 hours in each of 10 sections

Field Work - Site visits to UK nuclear facitlities


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 90
3 hours per day for three days for each of 10 sections
    60
3 hours on 2 days in each of 10 sections
20
Site visits to UK nuclear facitlities
30
3 hours in each of 10 sections
200
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 250
TOTAL HOURS 450

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Coursework  Variable  Semester 1  30  Yes  Non-standard penalty applies  Continuous Assessment Non-standard penalty applies for late submission,  
Practical Assessment  max 60 mins  Semester 1  70  Yes  Non-standard penalty applies  Viva voce examination Non-standard penalty applies for late submission, Notes (applying to all assessments) 1. The continuous assessment will consist of a written assignment following each of the 3-day sections of teaching and hence will be through the semester. Each assignment will be marked by a member of academic staff responsible for the relevent section and moderated by the University of Liverpool module leader. Students will have the opportunity to resubmit the assignments in the second semester if they fail to pass the module at the first attempt. 2. The viva voce examination will be held at the end of the semester and will be conducted by a small panel of assessors who will be selected from academic staff involved in teaching the module so as to represent each of the universities involved in the NGN CDT. The viva voce examination will last no more than an hour and questions will be drawn from any of but not all of the material taught in the eleven 3-day sections. The same panel of staff will conduct the viva voce examinations for all students in the NGN CDT cohort. Students will have the opportunity undertake a second viva voce examination in the second semester if they fail to pass the module at the first attempt. 

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List: