Module manager: Dr X Jia
Email: x.jia@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is approved as a discovery module
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.
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 | 152 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 48 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
- 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
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 30/04/2025
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