2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

CAPE3331 Nuclear Operations

20 creditsClass Size: 80

Module manager: Dr X Jia
Email: x.jia@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Nuclear energy will be a major part of the UK's strategy to generate low (no) carbon energy. To understand how the technology fits into that strategy, as well as how the UK nuclear industry has developed into one of the largest in the world, you need to know about a wide range of operations across the nuclear fuel cycle.This module looks at nuclear fission from the reactor to disposal of the wastes. It will take you through the science and engineering behind reactor operations, nuclear fuel recycling and disposal, as well as all aspects of waste treatment. Nuclear decommissioning, is one of the largest areas of industrial activity in the UK and the module covers this. The module will also give you the basic understanding of the nuclear physics and chemistry behind these operations, as well as the engineering.The module is suitable for students with a background in STEM subjects.

Objectives

At the end of the module, students will have a detailed understanding of the science and engineering that underlies current nuclear operations, within the UK and worldwide.

Learning outcomes
Students will develop an understanding of operations in the nuclear industry as component of an integrated nuclear fuel cycle.

Syllabus

- Fundamental chemistry and physics pertaining to nuclear operations
- Principles of nuclear operations
- Reactor operation
- Nuclear safety
- Comparison of UK versus international practices
- Spent fuel treatment and disposal
- Nuclear waste treatment
- Reactor decommissioning
- Legacy decommissioning
- Decontamination

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	22	2.00	44.00
Tutorial	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			146.00
Total Contact hours			54.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- Completion of assignments
- Independent study of the issues raised by the lectures
- Revision

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Performance in assignments.
- Contributions to discussions in tutorial sessions.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Assignment 1	20.00
Assignment	Assignment 2	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		40.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		60.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:19:34

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