Module manager: Dr X Jia
Email: x.jia@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
| CAPE3331 | Nuclear Operations |
This module is not approved as an Elective
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.
1. To have an overview of nuclear fuel cycles.
2. To develop a basic understanding of how nuclear reactors (both old and new) work and are safe by design.
3. To develop an overview of how nuclear waste is created, managed and processed.
- Knowledge attained of commercial nuclear operations
- Ability to apply core engineering and nuclear science to commercial nuclear operations
- Clear understanding of the safety culture and regulatory environment of the nuclear industry and how this is manifested in design/operation/waste management/decommissioning.
- Fundamental chemistry and physics pertaining to nuclear operations
- Principles of nuclear operations
- Reactor operation
- Nuclear safety
- Comparison of UK versus international practices
- Decommissioning
- The nuclear fuel cycle (NFC)
- Spent fuel reprocessing, encapsulation and disposal
- Effluent treatment
- Legacy nuclear waste processing
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 22 | 2 | 44 |
| Tutorial | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Private study hours | 102 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 48 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
- Completion of assignments
- Independent study of the issues raised by the lectures
- Revision
- Performance in S1 assignments.
- Self-assessment via in-class quiz (in S1) and in-class test (in S2)
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Assignment | 20 |
| In-course Assessment | Class Test | 20 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 40 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2.0 Hrs Mins | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 60 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2025
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