Course description: Our country’s anticipated need for increased energy has spurred a renewed interest in nuclear power as an energy source.  This course provides the student with an in-depth knowledge of reactor operation and design principles.  The following Reactor physics topics are covered: fundamentals of radiation; radiation decay; binding energy; types of interactions; shielding; radioisotopes; fission cross section; fission in a reactor as a method of generating heat; controlling fission chains; basic reactor model design principles; reactor theory; heat transfer with regards to reactor coolant and reactor fuel; reactor design safety; and nuclear reactor control including important parameter measurements on subcritical and critical reactors.

Course goal: Understand nuclear plant design.

How the course will be conducted: The course will be conducted via virtual class meetings, assigned readings, homework assignments, Email communication with the instructor, and Moodle application software.