MSc Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Management
Module descriptions
1. Nuclear Radiation & Dosimetry
Description
This module is designed to equip students with an understanding of the ways in which ionising radiation
interacts with matter, methods used for detecting radiation and processing the resulting signals, concepts
of radiation dosimetry, and the principles of radiological protection based on an understanding of the
effects of radiation on biological systems.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: types of radioactivity, principles of nuclear radiation and
decay; the processes by which the various types of ionising radiation interact with matter and how these
can be exploited in detectors construction and operation of the principal types of detector; definitions
of basic dosimetric quantities and the differences between them; practical methods of determining
dose; the different effects (both deterministic and stochastic) of ionising radiation on human
populations; the bases of national/international regulations covering work with ionising radiations;
principles of radiation protection
• Identify appropriate detector systems for particular applications; monitor and detect radiation;
• Characterise radiation sources and identify appropriate protection strategies
• Calculate estimates of dose rate
• Demonstrate critical thinking numeracy & ICT skills
Delivery
24 h hours contact comprising lectures, computer practicals, and case study workshops
2. Nuclear Fuel Cycle & Radiation Shielding
Description
This module is designed to introduce the student to the Nuclear Fuel cycle and the key radionuclides
produced. The module syllabus includes: reactor systems, covering all designs of operational power
reactors with analysis of advantages and limitations; an introduction to the economics of nuclear power
generation reactor; the stages of the nuclear fuel cycle, including hazards and wastes arising and the basic
chemistry of processing stages; methods of designing appropriate shielding for radiation facilities;
introduction to chemistry of key radionuclides – decay pathways, chemical forms, sources in the nuclear
fuel cycle and waste and environmental behaviour.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge & understanding of: types and sources of radioactive waste; chemistry of key
radionuclides; all processes involved in the front- and back-ends of the nuclear fuel cycle and the
associated safety and environmental considerations; physics and chemistry behind fuel production from
ore to final fuel; the different types of nuclear power reactor, with examples of fuel, moderator, coolant
and containment design; principles of radiation shielding
• Identify appropriate shielding for radiation sources
• Perform shielding calculations
• Demonstrate critical thinking numeracy & ICT skills
Delivery
24 h hours contact comprising lectures, computer practicals, and problem-based exercises
3. Processing, Storage & Disposal of Nuclear Wastes
Description
This module seeks to provide the theoretical and applied knowledge base that will underpin a student’s
potential future professional activity in this field. The module syllabus will include: waste forms and
classification; waste processing and treatment; encapsulation methods and technologies; waste
management and storage; geological disposal. These topics will be illustrated by case studies throughout
and student learning will be underpinned by problem-solving exercises based on these case studies.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge & understanding of: types and sources of radioactive waste and associated
hazards; classification of wastes; processing, storage and management of nuclear waste; environmental
impacts of nuclear waste management; legislation & policy; site investigation methods
• Perform waste inventory calculations
• apply to specific projects/case studies knowledge & understanding of: hazard identification and
reduction; relevant legislation and policy
• Apply knowledge & understanding waste processing, treatment and encapsulation technologies and
waste management strategies to specific projects/case studies
• Understand the case for geological disposal of nuclear waste and the multi barrier approach to the
construction of a post closure safety case
• Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the applicability of a variety of computational
chemistry simulation codes to the modelling of nuclear fuels and waste encapsulation matrices
• Demonstrate critical thinking numeracy & ICT skills
Delivery
48 h hours contact comprising lectures, computer practicals, and case study workshops
4. Site Decommissioning & Environmental Management
Description
This module seeks to provide the theoretical and applied knowledge base that will underpin a student’s
potential future professional activity in this field. The module syllabus will include: environmental impact of
nuclear power; site monitoring strategies & methods; hazard identification & reduction; environmental
impact/risk assessment; environmental principles applicable to site decommissioning; decommissioning
strategies & technologies; remediation methods; hydrogeological risk assessment and groundwater
modelling. These topics will be illustrated by case studies throughout and student learning will be
underpinned by problem-solving exercises based on these case studies.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge & understanding of: types and sources of radioactive waste; associated hazards
and environmental impacts and safety considerations associated with the Nuclear Fuel Cycle;
environmental impacts of nuclear waste management and decommissioning; environmental, risk,
safety and dose assessments; hazard identification and reduction; legislation & policy; site investigation
methods; hydrogeological risk assessment and groundwater modelling
• apply to specific projects/case studies their knowledge & understanding of: environmental, risk, safety
and dose assessments; hazard identification and reduction; legislation and policy
• Apply knowledge & understanding of decommissioning and remediation strategies/technologies to
specific projects/case studies
• Demonstrate: critical thinking, numeracy and ICT skills; commercial/business awareness
Delivery
48 h hours contact comprising lectures, computer practicals, and case study workshops
5. Policy, Regulation & Management
Description
This module is designed to equip students with knowledge and understanding of the policy and regulation
framework for decommissioning and waste management and how this impacts on programme
management in the nuclear sector. The module will focus predominantly on UK government policy and
regulatory guidance and regulatory framework but will also review international practice and case studies.
The module syllabus will include: role of public engagement and accountability in the regulation
framework; principles of programme management associated with proposals for waste disposal and
decommissioning/remediation; project appraisal and appraisal methods; project financing. Case studies
and site visits will be used throughout the module to demonstrate good (or bad) practice and issues arising
from implementation of legislation and policy.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge & understanding of: socio-political impacts of radioactive waste and nuclear
waste management and decommissioning; key aspects of legislation & policy; role of public engagement
& accountability in the policy & regulation framework; principles of project management, including
project appraisal & financing; principles of risk assessment, hazard identification and reduction in
project planning
• apply knowledge & understanding of project management to specific projects
• Apply knowledge & understanding of legal and regulatory requirements to specific projects/case studies
• Demonstrate: Critical thinking, time management, Commercial/business awareness, Numeracy, ICT
Delivery
48 h hours contact comprising lectures and case study workshops and site visits
6. Field, Laboratory & Computing Studies A
Description
This module will equip students with practical, professional and employability skills required for a career in
the field. The module also gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and understanding from
lectures to case studies and real life situations. The module consists of 3 components: physics laboratory
studies; materials and analysis laboratory studies; computational and numerical analysis. Each component
is assessed through coursework.
Physics laboratory practical classes will involve investigating the nature and properties of ionising
radiations. The characterisation of radioactive waste, and investigations of the various factors that
influence radiation absorption and the choice of shielding materials, will be explored using a range of
detector systems. Materials and analysis laboratory practical classes will equip students with a basic
understanding and experience of a range of solid state analysis methods, including X-ray diffraction and Xray Fluorescence Spectroscopy.
Computational and numerical analysis enables students to apply their knowledge and understanding of
computational chemistry to problem-solving exercises and to case studies. Computational chemistry
practical classes will have particular focus on the deployment of atomistic simulation methodologies to
understand the structure, stability and reactivity of solid state materials at the atomic level, particularly
those with relevance to industrial and energy applications.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
• Identify and use: various radiation detection systems for monitoring different radiation types - taking
into account radiation properties and detector characteristics; suitable radiation detection equipment
for the characterisation of component radionuclides in radioactive waste
• Determine the shielding properties of various materials and geometries taking into account the
properties of the radiations involved and the physical characteristics of the materials
• Analyse and interpret data from a range of analytical techniques
• perform estimates of dose rates, shielding calculations
• Produce a range of professional written reports: Practicals - concise scientific reports for describing the
aims, methods, measurements, analyses and conclusions, justifying the experimental design using
theoretical principles and conclusions; Computational & Numerical analysis – concise scientific reports
for describing the aims, simulation/modelling methodologies, calculation results and conclusions,
justifying predicted properties by judicious use of appropriate methods and conclusions.
• Demonstrate teamwork, Critical thinking, time management skills; Numeracy, ICT; interpersonal skills
Delivery
52 h hours contact comprising lectures, laboratory and computer practicals
7. Field, Laboratory & Computing Studies B
Description
This module will equip students with practical, professional and employability skills required for a career in
the field. The module also gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and understanding from
lectures to case studies and real life situations. The module consists of 4 components: materials and
analysis laboratory studies; computational and numerical analysis; case study exercise; site visit. All
components except for the site visit are assessed through coursework.
Materials and analysis laboratory practical classes will equip students with a basic understanding and
experience of a range of solid state and liquid phase analysis methods, including X-ray diffraction, X-ray
Fluorescence Spectroscopy, optical microscopy and elemental analysis.
Computational and numerical analysis enables students to apply their knowledge and understanding of
hydrogeological risk assessment and groundwater modelling to problem-solving exercises and to case
studies. The case study exercise allows students the opportunity to apply aspects of their knowledge and
understanding of decommissioning, waste and environmental management (module 3), processing, storage
& disposal of nuclear wastes (Module 4) and policy, regulation & management (Module 5). In a one-day
workshop, the case study scenario is presented to the students and they work in students to develop a
brief initial plan for their proposed solution, which is presented to the group at the end of the day. After
the workshop, students will individually prepare a detailed technical written report proposing their solution
to the scenario.
During the module the students will gain significant experience of data analysis and presentation,
commercial and business awareness and will develop their professional report writing and presentation
skills.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
• Analyse and interpret data from a range of analytical techniques
• Apply knowledge & understanding of decommissioning, waste and environmental management,
processing, storage & disposal of nuclear wastes and policy, regulation & management to specific
projects/case studies
• Apply knowledge and understanding of hydrogeological risk assessment and groundwater modelling in
the context of practical case studies and the development of hydrogeological conceptual models
• Produce a range of professional written reports, using different writing styles (technical, scientific, for
public communication) for : Practicals - concise scientific reports for describing the aims, methods,
measurements, analyses and conclusions, justifying the experimental design using theoretical principles
and conclusions; Computational & Numerical analysis –concise scientific reports for describing the aims,
modelling methodologies, calculation results and conclusions, justifying predicted properties by
judicious use of appropriate methods and conclusions; Case study exercise – detailed technical proposal
• Demonstrate teamwork, Critical thinking, time management skills; Commercial/business awareness;
Numeracy, ICT; Communication skills (written & oral), interpersonal skills.
Delivery
48 h hours contact comprising laboratory and computer practicals, one day workshop and site visit
8. Research Project
Description
This module provides students with experience of working in a nuclear industrial department, and/or the
School of
Physics & Astronomy nuclear laboratory and carrying out an individual research project. The technical
content depends on the project chosen, but the project will draw upon expertise gained in the earlier
modules and allowing students to develop further their knowledge and understanding of particular topics.
Students give a short oral presentation of their project and produce a written project report.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
• Conduct an in depth investigation of a real problem in the Nuclear industry
• Apply the understanding, knowledge and skills acquired through the taught course to a real problem
• Plan and execute a technical investigation
• Demonstrate ability to collect, analyse and interpret data
• Prepared a technical report to a professional standard acceptable to industry and academics
Delivery
Delivery will include some or all of these: private study, discussion with supervisor(s), oral presentation of
project to staff and peers (compulsory); site visits, seminars, technical meetings (optional, dependent on
project).