Master’s in Neutron Physics and Core Calculation Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in neutron physics and core calculation engineering, structured in 12 modules covering nuclear physics, diffusion and transport theory, Monte Carlo methods, lattice and core calculation, burnup, reactor kinetics, advanced reactors and criticality safety, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Neutron Physics and Core Calculation Engineering — 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$15,800 (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
Understand nuclear physics as applied to reactors.
Apply neutron diffusion and transport theory.
Use Monte Carlo methods in criticality calculations.
Perform cell, assembly and core calculations.
Analyse burnup and design fuel reloads.
Study reactor kinetics and dynamics.
Validate neutronic calculations against international benchmarks.
Who it's for
- Reactor physics engineers looking to deepen their core calculation skills.
- Core design analysts.
- Criticality safety specialists.
- Fuel management engineers.
- Developers of neutronics codes.
- Researchers working on advanced reactors.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the nuclear energy sector.
What you'll work with
- ANSI/ANS-8.1 (nuclear criticality safety in operations with fissionable materials)
- ANSI/ANS-19.6.1 (reload startup physics tests for PWRs)
- IAEA SSG-52 (design of the reactor core)
- International Handbook ICSBEP (evaluated criticality safety benchmark experiments)
- ENDF/B-VIII.0 (evaluated nuclear data library)
- IAEA SSR-2/1 (safety of nuclear power plants: design)
- ANSI/ANS-5.1 (decay heat power in light water reactors)
- OpenMC
- Serpent
- MCNP
- DRAGON
- PARCS
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Nuclear structure and binding energy1.2Nuclear reactions and conservation laws1.3Fission: mechanism and products1.4Prompt and delayed neutrons1.5Watt fission spectrum1.6Radioactive decay and decay chains1.7Microscopic and macroscopic cross sections1.8Resonances and Doppler broadening1.9Nuclear data libraries1.10Case study: energy balance of U-235 fission
2.1Elastic scattering and energy loss2.2Lethargy and logarithmic decrement2.3The 1/E slowing-down spectrum2.4Moderators: light water, heavy water and graphite2.5Thermalisation and the Maxwellian spectrum2.6Thermal scattering law S(α,β)2.7Resonance absorption2.8Resonance integral2.9Resonance escape probability2.10Practical exercise: calculating the factors of the six-factor formula
3.1Neutron diffusion equation3.2Boundary conditions3.3Diffusion length3.4Bare reactor and buckling3.5One-group diffusion theory3.6Two-group theory3.7Reflectors and reflector savings3.8Multigroup theory3.9Limitations of diffusion theory3.10Lab: two-group diffusion solver in Python
4.1Boltzmann equation for neutrons4.2Integral and integro-differential formulations4.3PN approximation4.4SN discrete ordinates4.5Ray effect and its mitigation4.6Method of characteristics (MOC)4.7Collision probabilities4.8Scattering anisotropy4.9Acceleration methods4.10Practical exercise: one-dimensional SN transport problem
5.1Fundamentals of random sampling5.2Simulation of neutron histories5.3Flux estimators and tallies5.4Criticality and fixed-source calculations5.5Variance reduction techniques5.6Source convergence5.7The MCNP, Serpent and OpenMC codes5.8Performance and parallelisation5.9Validation against ICSBEP benchmarks5.10Lab: criticality calculation with OpenMC
6.1Fuel element geometry6.2Self-shielding and resonance calculation6.3Homogenisation and condensation6.4Discontinuity factors6.5Burnable poisons6.6Control rods6.7The CASMO and DRAGON lattice codes6.8Generation of core libraries6.9Verification of cell calculations6.10Practical exercise: assembly calculation with Serpent
7.1Nodal methods7.2Pin-by-pin power reconstruction7.3The SIMULATE and PARCS codes7.4Power distribution and peaking factors7.5Reactivity coefficients7.6Shutdown margin7.7Control rod calculation7.8Coupling with thermal-hydraulics7.9Core follow7.10Lab: nodal model of a PWR core
8.1Bateman equations8.2Isotopic evolution8.3Xenon and samarium poisoning8.4Plutonium production8.5Coupled burnup methods8.6Reload design8.7Loading pattern optimisation8.8Burnup extension8.9Spent fuel inventory8.10Case study: optimisation of a reload pattern
9.1Point kinetics equations9.2Delayed neutron groups9.3Reactor period9.4Inhour equation and reactivity9.5Doppler and moderator feedback9.6Reactivity transients9.7Spatial kinetics9.8Xenon oscillations9.9Stability analysis in BWRs9.10Practical exercise: solving point kinetics in Python
10.1Sodium-cooled fast reactors10.2High-temperature reactors10.3Molten salt reactors10.4Small modular reactors10.5The thorium cycle10.6Actinide transmutation10.7Fast and epithermal spectra10.8Nuclear data challenges10.9Advanced reactor benchmarks10.10Workshop: neutronic comparison of advanced concepts
11.1Nuclear criticality safety11.2Criticality analysis of storage11.3Burnup credit11.4ANSI/ANS-8 standards11.5Validation of criticality codes11.6Startup physics tests11.7Reactivity measurements11.8Licensing of core design11.9Uncertainties in core calculations11.10Case study: criticality analysis of a spent fuel pool
12.1Definition of the neutronic problem12.2Selection of methods and codes12.3Cell or assembly modelling12.4Core calculation12.5Burnup or kinetics analysis12.6Validation against benchmarks12.7Uncertainty analysis12.8Conclusions12.9Master's Thesis: written 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 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 OpenMC, Serpent, MCNP, DRAGON and PARCS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for Monte Carlo criticality calculations, assembly calculations and core libraries, and point kinetics and transient simulation. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ANSI/ANS-8.1, ANSI/ANS-19.6.1, IAEA SSG-52 (core design), International Handbook ICSBEP, ENDF/B-VIII.0, IAEA SSR-2/1, ANSI/ANS-5.1.
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
- 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.
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 OpenMC, Serpent, MCNP, DRAGON and PARCS, 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.
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