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Course in Atmospheric Radiological Dispersion Simulation

Online 300 h course in atmospheric radiological dispersion simulation. 6 modules aligned with IAEA GSR Part 7 (emergency preparedness and response), IAEA GSG-2 (criteria for nuclear or radiological emergencies) and HYSPLIT. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesOctober / March
LocationEurope (Madrid)
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

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Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Explain the processes of atmospheric transport and dispersion.

02

Apply Gaussian and Lagrangian models to radiological releases.

03

Interpret meteorological and atmospheric stability data.

04

Estimate doses to the population from inhalation and deposition.

05

Compare decision-support tools for emergencies.

06

Apply the IAEA's generic criteria for protective action.

07

Produce a dispersion study for an academic scenario.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Dispersion specialist who wants to specialise in Atmospheric Radiological Dispersion Simulation.
  • Radiological emergency technician who wants to specialise in Atmospheric Radiological Dispersion Simulation.
  • Radiological consequence analyst who wants to specialise in Atmospheric Radiological Dispersion Simulation.
  • Applied meteorologist who wants to specialise in Atmospheric Radiological Dispersion Simulation.
  • Civil protection technician who wants to specialise in Atmospheric Radiological Dispersion Simulation.
  • Nuclear safety engineer who wants to specialise in Atmospheric Radiological Dispersion Simulation.
  • Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter civil protection.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IAEA GSR Part 7 (emergency preparedness and response)
  • IAEA GSG-2 (criteria for nuclear or radiological emergencies)
  • NRC Regulatory Guide 1.145 (atmospheric dispersion models for accidents)
  • NRC Regulatory Guide 1.111 (dispersion of routine effluents)
  • Directive 2013/59/Euratom (basic safety standards)
  • Basic Nuclear Emergency Plan (PLABEN)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Atmospheric boundary layer
  2. 1.2Stability and Pasquill-Gifford classes
  3. 1.3Wind profiles and roughness
  4. 1.4Turbulence and diffusion
  5. 1.5Thermal inversions
  6. 1.6Site meteorological data
  7. 1.7Meteorological towers and SODAR
  8. 1.8Reanalysis and numerical weather prediction
  9. 1.9Dispersion climatology
  10. 1.10Practical: stability classification with real data
  1. 2.1Core radioactive inventory
  2. 2.2Release fractions by chemical group
  3. 2.3Noble gases, iodine and caesium
  4. 2.4Emission height and plume rise
  5. 2.5Duration and temporal evolution of the release
  6. 2.6Chernobyl and Fukushima source terms
  7. 2.7NUREG-1465 as a reference
  8. 2.8Effluents during normal operation
  9. 2.9Uncertainty in the source term
  10. 2.10Workshop: estimating a simplified source term
  1. 3.1Gaussian plume model
  2. 3.2Briggs dispersion coefficients
  3. 3.3Gaussian puff models
  4. 3.4Lagrangian particle models
  5. 3.5Eulerian transport models
  6. 3.6Dispersion in complex terrain
  7. 3.7Building effects and wake
  8. 3.8Continental-scale dispersion
  9. 3.9Comparison of approaches
  10. 3.10Laboratory: Gaussian plume in Python
  1. 4.1Dry deposition and deposition velocities
  2. 4.2Wet deposition and washout
  3. 4.3Cloud immersion and ground shine
  4. 4.4Inhalation and dose coefficients
  5. 4.5Ingestion and the food chain
  6. 4.6Resuspension
  7. 4.7Effective dose and thyroid dose
  8. 4.8Reference levels for protective actions
  9. 4.9ICRP 72 dosimetric coefficients
  10. 4.10Practical: dose calculation at 5 km from the site
  1. 5.1NRC's RASCAL
  2. 5.2European JRODOS system
  3. 5.3HYSPLIT and FLEXPART
  4. 5.4MACCS for consequence assessment
  5. 5.5Alert and radiological monitoring networks
  6. 5.6Assimilation of measured data
  7. 5.7Inverse estimation of the source term
  8. 5.8International intercomparison exercises
  9. 5.9Validation with the ETEX experiment
  10. 5.10Case study: reconstructing the Fukushima plume with FLEXPART
  1. 6.1Definition of the scenario and site
  2. 6.2Meteorological characterisation
  3. 6.3Establishing the source term
  4. 6.4Configuring the dispersion model
  5. 6.5Calculation of concentrations and deposition
  6. 6.6Dose estimation
  7. 6.7Delimitation of response zones
  8. 6.8Sensitivity analysis
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment window, which makes it possible to combine with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is HYSPLIT, JRODOS, RASCAL, FLEXPART, QGIS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for simulating emission scenarios, analysing meteorological data and emergency planning exercises. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrative project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-focused Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operating limits.
Industry-mentored:lecturers with track records in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:safety-by-design approach, ciber-OT, DIH and compliance as pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Definition of the scenario and site

Explain the processes of atmospheric transport and dispersion.

Meteorological characterisation

Apply Gaussian and Lagrangian models to radiological releases.

Establishing the source term

Interpret meteorological and atmospheric stability data.

Configuring the dispersion model

Estimate doses to the population from inhalation and deposition.

Calculation of concentrations and deposition

Compare decision-support tools for emergencies.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Atmospheric dispersion specialistRadiological emergency technicianRadiological consequence analystApplied meteorologistCivil protection technicianNuclear safety engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior degree required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.

You will work with HYSPLIT, JRODOS, RASCAL, FLEXPART, QGIS. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the integrative project. This is in-house training, not an official title from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when enrolling.

Course in Atmospheric Radiological Dispersion SimulationEnrol
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