Course in Radiation Effects in Metals and Alloys
Online 300-hour course in radiation effects in metals and alloys. 6 modules covering ASTM E900 (embrittlement trend curve), ASTM E185 (reactor vessel surveillance programmes) and SRIM/TRIM. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Radiation Effects in Metals and Alloys — studying from Canada
Canada is a global leader in nuclear technology, most notably through CANDU reactor design and the development of medical isotopes. Ontario operates the largest nuclear fleet in the country, with major facilities at Pickering, Darlington and Bruce, while Atomic Energy of Canada Limited leads reactor research at Chalk River. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission regulates all nuclear activity. Engineers work on reactor design, fuel cycle technologies, decommissioning and radiation protection.
Fees for Canada: C$1,240 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Is this programme recognised by professional bodies in Canada for nuclear engineering?
SEIUM's qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and carry no national accreditation in Canada. Nuclear activities are regulated by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and professional engineering titles are provincially regulated. Nuclear roles often require specific licences or clearances, which a private qualification does not provide. Confirm with employers or the regulator.
Could this qualification help with nuclear career opportunities in Canada?
Canadian nuclear operators, utilities, fuel cycle firms and regulators' supplier networks employ engineers, but they set their own criteria. Many nuclear roles prioritise experience, security clearances and regulator-recognised training. The programme can add technical depth to your profile, but it does not guarantee entry or advancement in this tightly regulated field.
Can I study this online from Canada, and what is the workload?
Yes, the programme is 100% online and taught in English, and no student visa is required if you study from home. Specialist courses are 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours. Fees are payable in instalments, employer sponsorship is possible, and you receive an assigned technical tutor for guidance.
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
Explain the basic mechanisms of radiation damage.
Describe the microstructural evolution of irradiated metals.
Relate microstructure to hardening and embrittlement.
Analyse the behaviour of steels, stainless steels and zirconium alloys.
Interpret results from surveillance programmes.
Apply predictive models of embrittlement.
Prepare a report on the service life of an irradiated component.
Who it's for
- Nuclear materials engineer wishing to specialise in Radiation Effects in Metals and Alloys.
- Vessel integrity specialist wishing to specialise in Radiation Effects in Metals and Alloys.
- Researcher in irradiation damage wishing to specialise in Radiation Effects in Metals and Alloys.
- Surveillance programme engineer wishing to specialise in Radiation Effects in Metals and Alloys.
- Mechanical testing technician wishing to specialise in Radiation Effects in Metals and Alloys.
- Life management engineer wishing to specialise in Radiation Effects in Metals and Alloys.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter nuclear power plants.
What you'll work with
- ASTM E900 (embrittlement trend curve)
- ASTM E185 (reactor vessel surveillance programmes)
- NRC RG 1.99 Rev. 2 (radiation embrittlement of the vessel)
- ASTM E693 (calculation of displacements per atom)
- ASTM E1921 (reference temperature of the master curve)
- 10 CFR 50 Appendix H (vessel material surveillance)
- ASTM E23 (Charpy impact test)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Interaction of neutrons and ions with the crystal lattice1.2Threshold displacement energy1.3Displacement cascades and their evolution1.4Displacement-per-atom damage unit and its calculation1.5Point defects: vacancies and interstitials1.6Recombination and survival of defects1.7Transmutation and helium generation1.8Effect of irradiation temperature1.9Neutron spectrum and its influence1.10Exercise: calculate the accumulated damage of a component
2.1Clustering of defects and dislocation loops2.2Formation of voids and gas bubbles2.3Irradiation-induced precipitation2.4Dissolution of existing precipitates2.5Irradiation-induced segregation at grain boundaries2.6Phase changes under irradiation2.7Amorphisation of certain phases2.8Observation and quantification techniques2.9Microstructure maps versus dose and temperature2.10Practice: interpret micrographs of irradiated material
3.1Hardening and loss of ductility3.2Shift of the transition temperature3.3Embrittlement of vessel steels3.4Swelling due to voids3.5Irradiation-induced creep3.6Irradiation growth in anisotropic materials3.7Helium embrittlement at high temperature3.8Changes in thermal and electrical conductivity3.9Stress relaxation3.10Practice: estimate the shift of the transition temperature
4.1Ferritic and martensitic steels for vessels4.2Austenitic stainless steels for internals4.3Oxide dispersion strengthened steels4.4Nickel and zirconium alloys4.5Materials for fast reactors4.6Materials for fusion and energetic neutron damage4.7Graphite and ceramic materials4.8Selection criteria for irradiation resistance4.9Development of resistant materials4.10Practice: select a material for a component
5.1Surveillance specimen programmes5.2Specimen reconstitution and re-irradiation5.3Embrittlement prediction correlations5.4Recovery annealing5.5Ion irradiation as a surrogate and its limits5.6Atomistic and multiscale simulation5.7Databases and reference standards5.8Integrity assessment with degraded material5.9Ageing management and life extension5.10Practice: apply an embrittlement correlation
6.1Selection of the component and its irradiation environment6.2Calculation of flux, spectrum and accumulated damage6.3Identification of dominant mechanisms6.4Compilation of material data6.5Prediction of end-of-life degradation6.6Structural integrity assessment6.7Proposed surveillance programme6.8Material or mitigation alternatives6.9Technical report6.10Project defence
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which allows them to fit it around work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SRIM/TRIM, LAMMPS, Thermo-Calc, Python (NumPy), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real Charpy test procedures on surveillance specimens, transmission electron microscopy and ion irradiations. 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.
Explain the basic mechanisms of radiation damage.
Describe the microstructural evolution of irradiated metals.
Relate microstructure to hardening and embrittlement.
Analyse the behaviour of steels, stainless steels and zirconium alloys.
Interpret results from surveillance programmes.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree 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 consists of 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 SRIM/TRIM, LAMMPS, Thermo-Calc, Python (NumPy). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be recognised in the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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