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CourseCivil, Rail & Smart Cities Enrolment open

Introduction to Nuclear Fission Reactors Course

Online 300-hour course in introduction to nuclear fission reactors. 6 modules covering IAEA SF-1 (Fundamental Safety Principles), the Convention on Nuclear Safety and IAEA Reactor Simulators for PC. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesOctober / March
LocationEurope (Madrid)
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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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.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Explain the fundamentals of nuclear physics as applied to fission.

02

Classify the main types of fission reactors.

03

Describe the core and its neutronic and thermal behaviour.

04

Identify the main and auxiliary systems of a power plant.

05

Understand the principles of safety, operation and regulation.

06

Interpret the operation of a power plant using a simulator.

07

Develop an integrative project on a fission power plant.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Nuclear power plant operations engineer wishing to specialise in Introduction to Nuclear Fission Reactors.
  • Control room technician wishing to specialise in Introduction to Nuclear Fission Reactors.
  • Nuclear projects engineer wishing to specialise in Introduction to Nuclear Fission Reactors.
  • Radiological protection technician wishing to specialise in Introduction to Nuclear Fission Reactors.
  • Nuclear maintenance engineer wishing to specialise in Introduction to Nuclear Fission Reactors.
  • Energy sector consultant wishing to specialise in Introduction to Nuclear Fission Reactors.
  • Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter nuclear power plants.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IAEA SF-1 (Fundamental Safety Principles)
  • Convention on Nuclear Safety
  • Directive 2009/71/Euratom, as amended by 2014/87/Euratom (nuclear safety)
  • IAEA SSR-2/1 Rev.1 (Safety of Nuclear Power Plants: Design)
  • Law 25/1964 (on Nuclear Energy)
  • Royal Decree 1400/2018 (Regulation on Nuclear Safety in Nuclear Installations)
  • 10 CFR Part 50 (Licensing of Production and Utilisation Facilities)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Nuclear structure and binding energy
  2. 1.2Fission: what happens and how much energy is released
  3. 1.3Neutrons: production, moderation and absorption
  4. 1.4Cross section and its energy dependence
  5. 1.5Fissile materials and fertile materials
  6. 1.6Chain reaction and multiplication factor
  7. 1.7Criticality, subcriticality and supercriticality
  8. 1.8Delayed neutrons: why a reactor can be controlled
  9. 1.9Fission products and residual heat
  10. 1.10Exercise: energy balance of a fission
  1. 2.1Classification by moderator and coolant
  2. 2.2Pressurised water reactors
  3. 2.3Boiling water reactors
  4. 2.4Heavy water reactors
  5. 2.5Gas-cooled reactors
  6. 2.6Fast reactors and liquid metal-cooled reactors
  7. 2.7Molten salt reactors
  8. 2.8Small modular reactors
  9. 2.9Research and isotope production reactors
  10. 2.10Practice: compare three technologies for the same requirement
  1. 3.1Core geometry and fuel arrangement
  2. 3.2Fuel assemblies and their structure
  3. 3.3Control rods and neutron poisons
  4. 3.4Reactivity coefficients and feedback
  5. 3.5Xenon and samarium poisoning
  6. 3.6Fuel burn-up and cycle management
  7. 3.7Power distribution and peaking factors
  8. 3.8Heat transfer from fuel to coolant
  9. 3.9Thermal operating limits
  10. 3.10Practice: analyse the evolution of reactivity over a cycle
  1. 4.1Primary and secondary circuits
  2. 4.2Steam generators and turbine
  3. 4.3Cooling and ultimate heat sink
  4. 4.4Containment and confinement barriers
  5. 4.5Active and passive safety systems
  6. 4.6Nuclear and process instrumentation
  7. 4.7Reactor control and protection
  8. 4.8Power supply and emergency systems
  9. 4.9Fuel handling and storage
  10. 4.10Practice: follow the path of energy from start to finish
  1. 5.1Defence in depth
  2. 5.2Design basis accident analysis
  3. 5.3Severe accidents and their management
  4. 5.4Lessons learned from historical accidents
  5. 5.5Safety culture and the human factor
  6. 5.6Regulatory bodies and licensing process
  7. 5.7Normal operation, shutdowns and refuelling
  8. 5.8In-service maintenance and inspection
  9. 5.9Decommissioning and end of life of the facility
  10. 5.10Practice: analyse a documented accident sequence
  1. 6.1Choice of reactor technology
  2. 6.2Description of the system and its parameters
  3. 6.3Fuel cycle analysis
  4. 6.4Associated safety systems
  5. 6.5Transient analysis
  6. 6.6Applicable regulatory framework
  7. 6.7Management of waste generated
  8. 6.8Comparison with energy alternatives
  9. 6.9Technical report
  10. 6.10Project defence
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded lectures and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine study with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is IAEA Reactor Simulators for PC, Serpent 2, MATLAB, Python (NumPy), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real power plant simulator procedures for educational purposes, neutron balance calculations and analysis of operating cases. 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-oriented 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, cyber-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.

Choice of reactor technology

Explain the fundamentals of nuclear physics as applied to fission.

Description of the system and its parameters

Classify the main types of fission reactors.

Fuel cycle analysis

Describe the core and its neutronic and thermal behaviour.

Associated safety systems

Identify the main and auxiliary systems of a power plant.

Transient analysis

Understand the principles of safety, operation and regulation.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Nuclear power plant operations engineerControl room technicianNuclear projects engineerRadiological protection technicianNuclear maintenance engineerEnergy sector consultant
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior degree is 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.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

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

The course uses IAEA Reactor Simulators for PC, Serpent 2, MATLAB, Python (NumPy). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

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

Yes. Modules passed on a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.

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