Apply now
Master'sNuclear Engineering & Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies Applications open

Master’s in Multiphysics Coupling Engineering (Neutronics-Thermal-Mechanical)

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in multiphysics coupling engineering (neutronics, thermal-hydraulics and thermomechanics), structured in 12 modules covering neutronics and thermal-hydraulics for coupling, fuel thermomechanics, structural mechanics, coupling methods, multiphysics platforms, transients, advanced reactors and V&V, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

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.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the physical feedback mechanisms in the reactor core.

02

Model neutronics, thermal-hydraulics and thermomechanics.

03

Apply robust numerical coupling methods.

04

Use multiphysics platforms such as MOOSE and SALOME.

05

Analyse transients with coupled codes.

06

Verify and validate multiphysics simulations.

07

Quantify uncertainties in coupled systems.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Multiphysics simulation engineers.
  • Fuel safety analysts.
  • Thermomechanical engineers in the nuclear sector.
  • Developers of coupled codes.
  • Nuclear structural analysis engineers.
  • Researchers working on advanced reactors.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the nuclear energy sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ASME BPVC Section III (rules for construction of nuclear facility components)
  • ASME NQA-1 (quality assurance requirements for nuclear facilities)
  • IAEA SSG-2 (deterministic safety analysis for nuclear power plants)
  • IAEA SSG-52 (design of the reactor core)
  • 10 CFR 50.46 (ECCS acceptance criteria for light water reactors)
  • ASME V&V 20 (verification and validation in computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer)
  • NUREG-0800 (Standard Review Plan)
  • MOOSE
  • Serpent
  • Code_Aster
  • SALOME
  • FRAPCON
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Coupled phenomena in the core
  2. 1.2Neutronic–thermal-hydraulic feedback
  3. 1.3Thermomechanical behaviour of the fuel
  4. 1.4Time and spatial scales
  5. 1.5Loose and tight coupling
  6. 1.6History of coupled codes
  7. 1.7The CASL and NEAMS programmes
  8. 1.8Licensing requirements
  9. 1.9OECD/NEA multiphysics benchmarks
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of a rod ejection transient
  1. 2.1Cross-section dependence on temperature and density
  2. 2.2Parameterised cross-section tables
  3. 2.3The Doppler effect and its modelling
  4. 2.4Monte Carlo with feedback
  5. 2.5Diffusion and nodal transport
  6. 2.6Spatial kinetics
  7. 2.7Data interfaces between codes
  8. 2.8Power maps
  9. 2.9Neutronic uncertainties
  10. 2.10Lab: generation of cross-section tables with Serpent
  1. 3.1Conservation equations in channels
  2. 3.2The CTF and SUBCHANFLOW subchannel codes
  3. 3.3System codes
  4. 3.4CFD in the core
  5. 3.5Heat transfer and DNB
  6. 3.6Two-phase flow
  7. 3.7Temperature distribution in the fuel
  8. 3.8Thermal-hydraulic–neutronic interfaces
  9. 3.9Thermal-hydraulic validation
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: subchannel model with CTF
  1. 4.1Heat conduction in the pellet
  2. 4.2Conductivity and its dependence on burnup
  3. 4.3Pellet-cladding gap
  4. 4.4Fission gas release
  5. 4.5Swelling and densification
  6. 4.6Cladding creep and deformation
  7. 4.7Pellet-cladding interaction (PCI)
  8. 4.8The FRAPCON, TRANSURANUS and BISON codes
  9. 4.9Validation against irradiation experiments
  10. 4.10Lab: simulation of a fuel rod with FRAPCON
  1. 5.1Solid mechanics and elasticity
  2. 5.2Thermal-structural analysis
  3. 5.3Thermal and irradiation-induced creep
  4. 5.4Flow-induced vibration
  5. 5.5Fatigue and crack growth
  6. 5.6Reactor pressure vessel integrity
  7. 5.7Finite elements in Code_Aster
  8. 5.8ASME III standards
  9. 5.9Analysis of reactor internals
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: thermo-structural analysis in Code_Aster
  1. 6.1Operator splitting
  2. 6.2Picard iteration
  3. 6.3Jacobian-free Newton-Krylov (JFNK) methods
  4. 6.4Monolithic coupling
  5. 6.5Field transfer between meshes
  6. 6.6Conservation in interpolation
  7. 6.7Relaxation and acceleration
  8. 6.8Adaptive time stepping
  9. 6.9Numerical stability
  10. 6.10Lab: Picard neutronic-thermal coupling in Python
  1. 7.1MOOSE and its architecture
  2. 7.2MultiApps and transfers
  3. 7.3SALOME as a pre- and post-processing platform
  4. 7.4MEDCoupling and ICoCo
  5. 7.5preCICE for coupling
  6. 7.6Cardinal: OpenMC with NekRS
  7. 7.7Mesh management
  8. 7.8Reproducible workflows
  9. 7.9High-performance computing
  10. 7.10Practical exercise: coupling with MOOSE MultiApps
  1. 8.1Reactivity-initiated accidents (RIA)
  2. 8.2Loss-of-coolant accidents (LOCA)
  3. 8.3Overcooling transients
  4. 8.4Fuel acceptance criteria
  5. 8.5Analysis with coupled codes
  6. 8.6Best-estimate methodologies
  7. 8.7Fuel behaviour in accidents
  8. 8.8Accident-tolerant fuels
  9. 8.9Licensing of methodologies
  10. 8.10Case study: coupled analysis of an RIA
  1. 9.1Multiphysics in fast reactors
  2. 9.2Molten salt reactors and moving precursors
  3. 9.3Pebble-bed reactors
  4. 9.4Heat-pipe microreactors
  5. 9.5Fusion reactors: neutronic-thermal-mechanical coupling
  6. 9.6Thermal expansion and reactivity
  7. 9.7Validation challenges
  8. 9.8Dedicated tools
  9. 9.9International programmes
  10. 9.10Lab: coupled model of a microreactor
  1. 10.1Verification of couplings
  2. 10.2Multiphysics manufactured solutions
  3. 10.3OECD/NEA UAM benchmarks
  4. 10.4Propagation of coupled uncertainties
  5. 10.5Sensitivity analysis
  6. 10.6Surrogate models
  7. 10.7Validation with plant data
  8. 10.8V&V documentation
  9. 10.9Quality requirements
  10. 10.10Practical exercise: uncertainty propagation with DAKOTA
  1. 11.1Parallel computing and scalability
  2. 11.2GPUs in nuclear codes
  3. 11.3Big data management
  4. 11.4Reduced-order models
  5. 11.5Physics-informed machine learning
  6. 11.6Multiphysics digital twins
  7. 11.7Cloud computing
  8. 11.8Training and community
  9. 11.9The future of nuclear simulation
  10. 11.10Workshop: scalability analysis of a calculation
  1. 12.1Definition of the coupled problem
  2. 12.2Selection of codes and platform
  3. 12.3Modelling of each physics
  4. 12.4Coupling strategy
  5. 12.5Coupling verification
  6. 12.6Simulation of the case
  7. 12.7Uncertainty analysis
  8. 12.8Conclusions
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis: written report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

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 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 MOOSE, Serpent, Code_Aster, SALOME and FRAPCON, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for coupled transient simulation, thermomechanical analysis of fuel rods and uncertainty propagation in multiphysics calculations. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ASME BPVC Section III, ASME NQA-1, IAEA SSG-2, IAEA SSG-52, 10 CFR 50.46, ASME V&V 20, NUREG-0800 (Standard Review Plan).

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ASME BPVC Section III, ASME NQA-1 and IAEA SSG-2 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MOOSE, Serpent, Code_Aster, SALOME and FRAPCON, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete coupled multiphysics simulation, from modelling each physics and defining the coupling strategy to verification and uncertainty analysis, defended before a panel.
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.

Define the coupled problem
Identify the physics involved, the feedback mechanisms and the codes and platform best suited to the case.
Model each physics
Build the neutronic, thermal-hydraulic and thermomechanical models with Serpent, CTF, FRAPCON or Code_Aster.
Design the coupling strategy
Implement the coupling with Picard iteration or MOOSE MultiApps, including field transfers between meshes.
Simulate the transient
Run the coupled case, such as an RIA, and verify the coupling against reference solutions.
Master's Thesis
Quantify uncertainties, draw conclusions and present the complete coupled study, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Multiphysics simulation engineerFuel safety analystThermomechanical engineerCoupled code developerNuclear structural analysis engineerAdvanced reactor researcher
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • 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.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

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 MOOSE, Serpent, Code_Aster, SALOME and FRAPCON, 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 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.

Keep exploring

Related programmes

See all in Nuclear Engineering & Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies
Master's11,090 $

Master’s in Materials under Irradiation and Radiation Damage Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in materials under irradiation and radiation damage engineering. 12 modules covering radiation-solid interaction, defect evolution, microstructural changes, mechanical properties, vessel…

1900 hOnlineNuclear Engineering & Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies
Master's11,090 $

Master’s in Safety Culture, Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in safety culture, emergency preparedness and resilience engineering. 12 modules covering safety culture and its assessment, human and organisational factors,…

1900 hOnlineNuclear Engineering & Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies
Master's11,090 $

Master’s in Logistics, Transport and Packaging of Radioactive Material Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in logistics, transport and packaging engineering for radioactive material. 12 modules covering the regulatory framework, classification, package types and design,…

1900 hOnlineNuclear Engineering & Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies
Master’s in Multiphysics Coupling Engineering (Neutronics-Thermal-Mechanical)Enrol
Related programmes

More in Nuclear Engineering & Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies

Master’s in Power Conversion and Balance of Plant for Fusion EngineeringView programme →Master’s in Corrosion, SCC and Chemical Compatibility Engineering in Primary CircuitsView programme →Master’s in Fuel, Materials & Corrosion EngineeringView programme →Master’s in Fusion Engineering (Tokamak/Stellarator)View programme →Master’s in Waste, Decommissioning & Environment EngineeringView programme →Master’s in Neutron Physics and Core Calculation EngineeringView programme →

All Nuclear Engineering & Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships

Scroll to Top
SEIUM – Institute of Advanced Engineering
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.