Course in Fuel Characterisation Methods
Online 300-hour course in fuel characterisation methods. 6 modules covering ASTM C696 (chemical, spectrometric and mass analysis of UO2 powder and pellets), ASTM C776 (specification of sintered UO2 pellets) and ImageJ/Fiji. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Fuel Characterisation Methods — studying from Australia
Australia does not operate nuclear power plants, but nuclear science and technology play important roles in research, medicine, mining and regulation. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation operates research reactors and produces radiopharmaceuticals, while uranium mining is conducted in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. Nuclear engineering skills support regulatory oversight, radiation safety and decommissioning activities. Employers include ANSTO, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, mining companies and specialist consultancies.
Fees for Australia: A$1,020 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Does this programme meet Australian nuclear licensing or regulatory requirements?
No. SEIUM qualifications are private and are not accredited by any national body. Nuclear activities in Australia are regulated by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency and related authorities, which set their own competency requirements. Check directly with the regulator and your employer about any qualifications needed for a specific role.
Which Australian organisations might consider this training for nuclear-related roles?
Australian employers in this area include research organisations, radiation protection services, mining and resources companies, and consultancies working on nuclear-related projects. Hiring depends on each organisation's requirements and on security and licensing needs. A private qualification is unlikely to be sufficient alone, so combine it with relevant experience.
Is the programme workable alongside a job, and how is it funded?
The programmes are delivered entirely online in English with an assigned technical tutor, allowing study from Australia around work commitments. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Review the programme length, from 300 to 1,900 hours, and plan carefully.
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
Describe nuclear fuel and the properties that must be characterised.
Apply chemical and isotopic characterisation techniques.
Analyse microstructure using metallography and microscopy.
Measure physical and thermal properties relevant to reactor behaviour.
Select non-destructive tests for fuels and cladding.
Interpret characterisation results against specifications.
Plan a fuel characterisation programme.
Who it's for
- Fuel characterisation engineer looking to specialise in Fuel Characterisation Methods.
- Nuclear materials laboratory technician looking to specialise in Fuel Characterisation Methods.
- Post-irradiation examination specialist looking to specialise in Fuel Characterisation Methods.
- Nuclear analytical chemist looking to specialise in Fuel Characterisation Methods.
- Fuel quality engineer looking to specialise in Fuel Characterisation Methods.
- Nuclear materials researcher looking to specialise in Fuel Characterisation Methods.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter nuclear fuel manufacturing.
What you'll work with
- ASTM C696 (chemical, spectrometric and mass analysis of UO2 powder and pellets)
- ASTM C776 (specification of sintered UO2 pellets)
- ASTM E1461 (thermal diffusivity by the flash method)
- ASTM E112 (determination of grain size)
- ASTM E3 (preparation of metallographic specimens)
- ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing laboratories)
- ASTM E1316 (non-destructive testing terminology)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Fuel types: UO2, MOX, metallic and TRISO1.2Pellet and cladding manufacture1.3Specifications and quality control1.4Fuel changes during irradiation1.5Characterisation objectives1.6Hot cells and post-irradiation examination1.7ASTM C776 and C833 standards1.8Sampling and sample preparation1.9Traceability and quality assurance1.10Case study: characterisation plan for a pellet
2.1O/M stoichiometry and its measurement2.2Thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS)2.3ICP-MS and isotope dilution2.4Burn-up measurement: the neodymium-148 method2.5High-resolution gamma spectrometry2.6Impurity analysis2.7Gas and moisture content2.8Chromatography and chemical separations2.9Uncertainty in isotopic measurements2.10Laboratory: burn-up calculation using Nd-148 data
3.1Ceramography and metallography3.2Optical and scanning electron microscopy3.3Transmission electron microscopy3.4Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA)3.5High burn-up structure (HBS) at the rim3.6Porosity and density3.7Grain size and its evolution3.8Fission product precipitates3.9X-ray diffraction3.10Practical: image analysis of porosity and grain
4.1Thermal conductivity: laser flash method4.2Dilatometry and thermal expansion4.3Specific heat by calorimetry4.4Melting temperature4.5Mechanical properties and microhardness4.6Fission gas release4.7Swelling and densification4.8Cladding tests: corrosion and hydriding4.9Cladding burst tests4.10Case study: comparison of UO2 and MOX conductivity
5.1Axial gamma scanning of rods5.2Profilometry and diameter measurement5.3Eddy currents in cladding5.4Neutron radiography and tomography5.5Rod puncturing and gas analysis5.6Transient testing: CABRI and TREAT5.7Cladding LOCA tests5.8Accident-tolerant fuels5.9Data for behaviour codes such as FRAPCON5.10Workshop: interpreting an axial gamma scan
6.1Fuel definition and objectives6.2Selection of techniques6.3Sampling and preparation plan6.4Analysis of chemical results6.5Microstructural analysis6.6Property evaluation6.7Comparison with models6.8Synthesis of results6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training 100 % online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ImageJ/Fiji, MATLAB, OriginPro, Python (pandas), JMatPro, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The tests are studied using real procedures for metallography and electron microscopy, isotopic mass spectrometry and thermal diffusivity measurements. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe nuclear fuel and the properties that must be characterised.
Apply chemical and isotopic characterisation techniques.
Analyse microstructure using metallography and microscopy.
Measure physical and thermal properties relevant to reactor behaviour.
Select non-destructive tests for fuels and cladding.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No previous degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards reading.
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 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The course uses ImageJ/Fiji, MATLAB, OriginPro, Python (pandas), JMatPro. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM in-house diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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