Master’s in Accelerators, Radiation Sources and Isotope Production Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in accelerator engineering, radiation sources and isotope production. 12 modules covering accelerator physics, medical cyclotrons, reactor and cyclotron isotope production, production radiochemistry, shielding and radiation protection, sealed sources and facility regulation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the physics of particle accelerators.
Distinguish the types of accelerators and their components.
Calculate radionuclide production in cyclotrons and reactors.
Apply radiochemistry to isotope production.
Analyse medical and industrial applications of accelerators.
Design shielding and safety systems.
Manage sealed radiation sources and their regulation.
Who it's for
- Accelerator engineers looking to broaden their expertise into isotope production and radiation sources.
- Physicists working at cyclotron facilities.
- Production radiochemists in radiopharmacies and cyclotron centres.
- Radiation protection specialists responsible for accelerator installations.
- Radioactive source engineers.
- Radiopharmacy managers.
- Engineering and science graduates aiming to work in hospitals and proton therapy centres.
What you'll work with
- Directive 2013/59/Euratom (basic safety standards for protection against ionising radiation)
- ISO 2919 (classification of sealed radioactive sources)
- IEC 60601-2-1 (safety of medical electron accelerators)
- IAEA SSG-8 (radiation safety of gamma, electron and X-ray irradiation facilities)
- NCRP Report 144 (radiation protection for particle accelerator facilities)
- Real Decreto 1029/2022 (Spanish regulation on health protection against ionising radiation)
- European Pharmacopoeia (radiopharmaceutical monographs)
- FLUKA
- MCNP
- Geant4
- TRACE 3-D
- SRIM
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Charged particles in electromagnetic fields1.2Principles of electrostatic acceleration1.3Radiofrequency acceleration1.4Longitudinal dynamics and phase stability1.5Beam optics and transfer matrices1.6Emittance and brightness1.7Quadrupole focusing1.8Space-charge effects1.9Synchrotron radiation1.10Workshop: calculating a transport line with matrices
2.1Van de Graaff and tandem accelerators2.2Isochronous and sector cyclotrons2.3Synchrocyclotrons and synchrotrons2.4Electron linear accelerators2.5Proton linear accelerators2.6Induction accelerators2.7Spallation sources2.8Compact and laser-plasma accelerators2.9Large facilities: CERN, ESS and ALBA2.10Case study: selecting an accelerator for an application
3.1Ion sources and electron guns3.2Radiofrequency cavities and klystrons3.3Dipole and quadrupole magnets3.4High-field superconducting magnets3.5Vacuum systems3.6Beam diagnostics3.7Control and timing systems3.8Cooling and cryogenics3.9Targets and windows3.10Laboratory: beam profile diagnostics
4.1Cyclotron design for PET4.2Beam extraction by stripping4.3Liquid, gas and solid targets4.4Production of fluorine-18 and carbon-114.5Production of gallium-68 and copper-644.6Production yield and saturation4.7Activation of the cyclotron and the bunker4.8Maintenance and availability4.9High-energy cyclotrons4.10Practical exercise: yield calculation for an enriched water target
5.1Irradiation in research reactors5.2Production of molybdenum-99 by fission5.3Conversion to low-enriched targets5.4Production of lutetium-1775.5Production of iridium-192 and cobalt-605.6European research reactors5.7Global supply chain5.8Molybdenum supply crises5.9Accelerator-based alternatives5.10Case study: analysis of the molybdenum-99 supply chain
6.1Chemical separation of radionuclides6.2Chromatography and ion exchange6.3Radionuclide generators6.4Automated synthesis modules6.5Radionuclidic and radiochemical purity6.6Pharmacopoeial quality control6.7Good manufacturing practice6.8Hot cells and isolators6.9Radioactive waste management6.10Practical exercise: quality control of a gallium-68 generator
7.1Radiotherapy linear accelerators7.2Proton therapy and cyclotrons7.3Carbon-ion therapy7.4Ultra-high dose rate FLASH radiotherapy7.5Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT)7.6Image-guided radiotherapy7.7Quality control of clinical accelerators7.8Treatment planning7.9Proton therapy facilities in Spain7.10Workshop: commissioning a clinical accelerator
8.1Electron-beam sterilisation8.2Food irradiation8.3Polymer modification8.4Ion implantation in semiconductors8.5Ion beam analysis: PIXE and RBS8.6Accelerator mass spectrometry8.7Neutron sources for research8.8Synchrotron light in materials science8.9Accelerators for cargo inspection8.10Case study: sizing a sterilisation plant
9.1Source terms in accelerators9.2Secondary neutron production9.3Activation of air, water and structures9.4Bunker design9.5Safety and interlock systems9.6Radiation monitoring9.7Mixed-field dosimetry9.8Management of activated components9.9Accelerator decommissioning9.10Laboratory: shielding calculation with FLUKA
10.1Manufacture of sealed sources10.2Classification according to ISO 291910.3High-activity sources10.4Brachytherapy sources10.5Calibration sources10.6Physical security of sources10.7End-of-life management10.8Detection and recovery of orphan sources10.9Directive on high-activity sealed sources10.10Practical exercise: source management plan for a facility
11.1Authorisation of accelerator facilities11.2Applicable radiation protection regulations11.3Personnel licences11.4Good manufacturing practice for radiopharmaceuticals11.5Facility project management11.6Commissioning and acceptance11.7Economics of isotope production11.8Quality and continuous improvement11.9Ethics and responsible use of the technology11.10Case study: feasibility study for a cyclotron
12.1Definition of the facility or application12.2Analysis of beam or production requirements12.3Conceptual system design12.4Production or dose calculations12.5Shielding design12.6Economic assessment of the facility12.7Licensing plan12.8Design conclusions12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training 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 the intake, so the programme can be combined with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is FLUKA, MCNP, Geant4, TRACE 3-D, SRIM, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is studied on real procedures for accelerator shielding design, radionuclide production calculation and quality control of radiopharmaceuticals. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Directive 2013/59/Euratom, ISO 2919, IEC 60601-2-1, IAEA SSG-8, NCRP Report 144, Real Decreto 1029/2022, European Pharmacopoeia.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's 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.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with FLUKA, MCNP, Geant4, TRACE 3-D, SRIM, 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 Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme's 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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