Diploma in Atomistic Simulation of Irradiated Materials
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in atomistic simulation of irradiated materials. 8 modules covering radiation damage, density functional theory, interatomic potentials, molecular dynamics of cascades, long-term evolution, atom-to-property modelling and experimental validation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Atomistic Simulation of Irradiated Materials — studying from Canada
Canada's defence sector is centred on procurement and sustainment through the Department of National Defence and Defence Research and Development Canada. Industrial activity spans land vehicles, naval systems, avionics and electronics, with firms in Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia and British Columbia. Companies such as General Dynamics Land Systems Canada and Lockheed Martin Canada are notable employers, alongside a broad base of small and medium suppliers. Engineers work on systems integration, vehicle protection, logistics and sustainment, operating within strict security and export control frameworks.
Fees for Canada: C$2,790 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Which Canadian bodies or processes govern defence engineering recognition?
Defence engineering in Canada often involves government procurement and security clearances, and engineers typically hold provincial Professional Engineer licences where a title is required. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not official state degrees or accredited by a national body, so they do not confer licensing or clearance. Recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide, so verify this first.
Would Canadian defence or land systems employers accept this training?
Canadian defence employers and contractors generally rely on security clearance, licensing and demonstrated experience. A private qualification may support your application, but it is unlikely to replace those requirements, and its acceptance is up to each employer. A SEIUM final project can help show applied skill, so discuss expectations with prospective employers early.
Can I study remotely while working, and what are the costs and language demands?
Yes, the programmes are fully online, so you can study from Canada or elsewhere without a student visa, and fit sessions around work. Specialist courses are 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and master's 1,900. Teaching is in English, supported by an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be available.
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 mechanisms of radiation damage in materials.
Apply density functional theory to defect calculations.
Develop molecular dynamics simulations of displacement cascades.
Use kinetic Monte Carlo and cluster dynamics methods.
Select and validate interatomic potentials.
Relate atomistic results to macroscopic properties.
Interpret results against experimental data and standards.
Who it's for
- Nuclear materials researchers.
- Computational simulation engineers.
- Component integrity specialists.
- Materials data scientists.
- Remaining life engineers.
- Fusion R&D analysts.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter nuclear energy.
What you'll work with
- ASTM E521 (charged-particle irradiation damage)
- ASTM E693 (calculation of displacements per atom, dpa)
- ASTM E900 (prediction of reactor vessel steel embrittlement)
- 10 CFR 50 Appendix H (reactor vessel surveillance)
- ASME BPVC Section III (nuclear components)
- ASTM E185 (reactor vessel surveillance programmes)
- LAMMPS
- VASP
- Quantum ESPRESSO
- SRIM/TRIM
- OVITO
8 modules
1.1Interaction of neutrons with matter1.2Displacements per atom and NRT1.3Frenkel pairs and point defects1.4Displacement cascades1.5Hardening and embrittlement1.6Void swelling1.7Radiation-induced segregation1.8Helium generation and transmutation1.9Damage in fusion materials from 14 MeV neutrons1.10Practical exercise: dpa calculation with SRIM
2.1Fundamentals of DFT2.2Exchange-correlation functionals2.3Pseudopotentials and plane-wave basis sets2.4Supercells and k-points2.5Vacancy formation energy2.6Migration energy with NEB2.7Magnetism in iron and steels2.8Convergence and accuracy2.9Solute diffusion calculations2.10Lab: defect formation energy with VASP
3.1Pair potentials3.2The embedded atom method3.3Bond-order potentials3.4Machine-learning potentials3.5Fitting to DFT data3.6ZBL short-range correction3.7Validation of potentials3.8Potential databases3.9Validation against equilibrium properties3.10Workshop: fitting a simple potential
4.1Integration of the equations of motion4.2Boundary conditions and thermostats4.3Simulation of primary cascades4.4Counting of surviving defects4.5Temperature effects4.6Cascades in alloys4.7Analysis with OVITO4.8Computational scaling on HPC4.9Cascades in ceramic materials4.10Lab: displacement cascade in LAMMPS
5.1Atomistic kinetic Monte Carlo5.2Object kinetic Monte Carlo5.3Cluster dynamics5.4Reaction rates and rate theory5.5Copper precipitation in pressure vessel steels5.6Dislocation loops5.7Multiscale coupling5.8Comparison with irradiation tests5.9Phase-field theory5.10Practical exercise: defect evolution with kinetic Monte Carlo
6.1Dislocation-defect interaction6.2Discrete dislocation dynamics6.3Hardening models6.4Crystal plasticity6.5Prediction of transition temperature shift6.6Standardised embrittlement correlations6.7Fusion materials6.8ODS steels and new alloys6.9Irradiation creep models6.10Case study: prediction of the hardening of a steel
7.1Ion irradiation as a surrogate7.2Transmission electron microscopy7.3Atom probe tomography7.4Diffraction and positron annihilation7.5Reactor vessel surveillance programmes7.6Experimental databases7.7Uncertainty quantification7.8Publication and open data7.9Reproducibility of simulations7.10Workshop: comparing simulation with microscopy
8.1Selection of the material and problem8.2Literature review8.3DFT calculations of defects8.4Cascade simulations8.5Long-term evolution8.6Experimental comparison8.7Discussion of results8.8Technical conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online learning 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 fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is LAMMPS, VASP, Quantum ESPRESSO, SRIM/TRIM and OVITO, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: simulation of displacement cascades in iron, calculation of defect formation energies and comparison with microscopy tests. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: ASTM E521, ASTM E693, ASTM E900, 10 CFR 50 Appendix H, ASME BPVC Section III, ASTM E185.
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
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An 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 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with LAMMPS, VASP, Quantum ESPRESSO, SRIM/TRIM and OVITO, 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 final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the 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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