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CourseDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Applications open

Diploma in Transient Operation and Postulated Accidents

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in transient operation and postulated accidents: 8 modules covering the design basis, deterministic safety analysis to IAEA SSG-2 Rev.1, transient thermal-hydraulics, system codes, anticipated operational occurrences, design basis accidents under 10 CFR 50.46 and BEPU methods, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the design basis and the classification of postulated events.

02

Apply the deterministic safety analysis methodology.

03

Model operational transients and accidents with system codes.

04

Assess acceptance criteria and safety margins.

05

Apply best estimate methodologies with uncertainties.

06

Analyse design extension conditions.

07

Prepare accident analyses for licensing documentation.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Nuclear safety analysts.
  • Thermal-hydraulics engineers.
  • Licensing engineers.
  • Accident analysis specialists.
  • Nuclear safety inspectors.
  • Simulator instructors.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the nuclear energy sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IAEA SSG-2 Rev.1 (deterministic safety analysis)
  • IAEA SSR-2/1 Rev.1 (safety of nuclear power plants: design)
  • 10 CFR 50.46 (ECCS acceptance criteria)
  • 10 CFR 50 Appendix K (ECCS evaluation models)
  • NUREG-0800 Chapter 15 (transient and accident analysis)
  • NRC Regulatory Guide 1.203 (evaluation model development methodology)
  • WENRA Safety Reference Levels
  • RELAP5-3D
  • TRACE
  • CATHARE
  • ATHLET
  • SNAP
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Defence in depth and plant states
  2. 1.2Postulated initiating events
  3. 1.3Frequency and classification
  4. 1.4Anticipated operational occurrences
  5. 1.5Design basis accidents
  6. 1.6Design extension conditions
  7. 1.7Single failure criteria
  8. 1.8Conservative assumptions
  9. 1.9SSR-2/1 requirements
  10. 1.10Case study: classification of events for a plant
  1. 2.1Objectives according to SSG-2
  2. 2.2Conservative and best estimate approaches
  3. 2.3Acceptance criteria
  4. 2.4Safety margins
  5. 2.5Initial and boundary conditions
  6. 2.6Operator actions
  7. 2.7System availability
  8. 2.8Documentation of the analysis
  9. 2.9Independent review
  10. 2.10Workshop: structure of a deterministic analysis
  1. 3.1Two-fluid models
  2. 3.2Two-phase flow and flow regimes
  3. 3.3Critical heat flux
  4. 3.4Reactor point kinetics
  5. 3.5Reactivity feedback
  6. 3.6Natural circulation
  7. 3.7Pressure waves and water hammer
  8. 3.8Multidimensional phenomena
  9. 3.9Empirical correlations
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: point kinetics calculation
  1. 4.1Structure of RELAP5 and TRACE
  2. 4.2Plant nodalisation
  3. 4.3Component models
  4. 4.4Steady-state initial conditions
  5. 4.5Modelling of control systems
  6. 4.6European codes CATHARE and ATHLET
  7. 4.7Validation matrices
  8. 4.8User effects
  9. 4.9Graphical interfaces
  10. 4.10Lab: nodalisation and steady state
  1. 5.1Loss of load
  2. 5.2Turbine trip
  3. 5.3Loss of coolant flow
  4. 5.4Reactivity insertion
  5. 5.5Control system failures
  6. 5.6Overcooling
  7. 5.7Loss of off-site power
  8. 5.8Transients during shutdown
  9. 5.9Analysis of results
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: simulation of a turbine trip
  1. 6.1Large-break LOCA
  2. 6.2Small-break LOCA
  3. 6.3Steam generator tube rupture
  4. 6.4Steam line break
  5. 6.5Control rod ejection
  6. 6.610 CFR 50.46 criteria
  7. 6.7Appendix K
  8. 6.8Fuel handling accidents
  9. 6.9Radiological consequences
  10. 6.10Lab: simulation of a small-break LOCA
  1. 7.1BEPU methodology
  2. 7.2PIRT phenomena identification
  3. 7.3CSAU methodology
  4. 7.4Wilks' method
  5. 7.5Uncertainty propagation
  6. 7.6Sensitivity analysis
  7. 7.7RG 1.203 EMDAP methodology
  8. 7.8Regulatory acceptance
  9. 7.9International cases
  10. 7.10Case study: uncertainty analysis of a peak cladding temperature
  1. 8.1Event selection
  2. 8.2Definition of assumptions
  3. 8.3Nodalisation of the reference plant
  4. 8.4Transient simulation
  5. 8.5Uncertainty analysis
  6. 8.6Assessment against acceptance criteria
  7. 8.7Safety conclusions
  8. 8.8Analysis report
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme can be combined with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is RELAP5-3D, TRACE, CATHARE, ATHLET and SNAP, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: simulation of a small loss of coolant, sensitivity analysis of safety margins and review of an accident analysis chapter. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: IAEA SSG-2 Rev.1, IAEA SSR-2/1 Rev.1, 10 CFR 50.46, 10 CFR 50 Appendix K, NUREG-0800 Chapter 15, NRC Regulatory Guide 1.203, WENRA Safety Reference Levels.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of IAEA SSG-2 Rev.1, IAEA SSR-2/1 Rev.1 and 10 CFR 50.46 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:RELAP5-3D, TRACE, CATHARE, ATHLET and SNAP, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete transient analysis of a postulated event on a reference plant, from nodalisation and simulation to uncertainty analysis and acceptance criteria, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

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

Event selection
Select the postulated event and define the analysis assumptions.
Plant nodalisation
Build the nodalisation of the reference plant and reach steady state.
Transient simulation
Simulate the transient with a system code.
Uncertainty analysis
Quantify uncertainties and assess the results against acceptance criteria.
Final project
Present the analysis report and safety conclusions, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Nuclear safety analystThermal-hydraulics engineerLicensing engineerAccident analysis specialistNuclear safety inspectorSimulator instructor
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

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

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with RELAP5-3D, TRACE, CATHARE, ATHLET and SNAP, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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