Diploma in Core Dynamics and Reactivity
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in reactor core dynamics and reactivity, structured in 8 modules covering neutron physics, diffusion and transport theory, point kinetics, reactivity coefficients, reactivity control, transient and safety analysis, and simulation tools under IAEA SSR-2/1, IAEA SSG-52 and 10 CFR 50 Appendix A, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Core Dynamics and Reactivity — studying from Ireland
Ireland maintains a small defence force, the Defence Forces, which operates its own engineering corps and equipment maintenance capabilities. Defence procurement and development are handled through the Department of Defence, while much of the wider defence-related industrial activity involves dual-use technologies, electronics and communications systems supplied by domestic and international firms. Engineers in this area typically work on land vehicle maintenance, military communications, protective equipment and systems integration. Policy and procurement are governed by national and European frameworks, including EU defence initiatives.
Fees for Ireland: €1,790 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Which Irish bodies oversee defence engineering and does a private qualification count?
Defence in Ireland is overseen by the Department of Defence, and the Defence Forces run their own training and technical structures. Engineers Ireland sets general professional engineering standards. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not state-awarded, and they are not accredited by any national body, so recognition for any defence-related role is decided by the relevant authority or employer.
Do Irish defence and land-systems employers hire people with private online qualifications?
Irish defence-related hiring is limited and often subject to security vetting and specific qualification requirements, so employers set their own criteria. A private online qualification may be taken into account alongside experience, but we cannot say how any employer will view it or guarantee any result. Check requirements for particular roles directly.
Can I study this from Ireland while working, and what is the workload?
Yes, the programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home without travel or a student visa. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and specialist courses 300. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible. Plan your weekly hours realistically around your job.
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 neutron interactions with matter.
Apply diffusion and transport theory to criticality calculations.
Solve the reactor point kinetics equations.
Analyse reactivity coefficients and core stability.
Evaluate reactivity control mechanisms.
Analyse reactivity transients from a safety perspective.
Use validated neutronic simulation codes.
Who it's for
- Reactor physics engineers.
- Nuclear safety analysts.
- Fuel management engineers.
- Neutronic code specialists.
- Nuclear licensing technicians.
- Nuclear engineering researchers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the nuclear energy sector.
What you'll work with
- IAEA SSR-2/1 (safety of nuclear power plants: design)
- IAEA SSG-52 (design of the reactor core)
- 10 CFR 50 Appendix A (general design criteria for nuclear power plants)
- IAEA SSG-2 (deterministic safety analysis)
- CSN Instruction IS-27 (Spanish design criteria for nuclear power plants)
- ANSI/ANS-19.6.1 (reactor physics tests during start-up)
- OpenMC
- Serpent
- MCNP
- PARCS
- Python NumPy
8 modules
1.1Neutron-nucleus interactions1.2Cross sections and nuclear data libraries1.3Nuclear fission and fission products1.4Prompt and delayed neutrons1.5Moderation and thermalisation1.6Neutron flux and density1.7Multiplication factor1.8Four-factor formula1.9ENDF and JEFF data sources1.10Workshop: calculation of effective cross sections
2.1Boltzmann transport equation2.2Diffusion approximation2.3Two-group energy theory2.4Criticality of simple geometries2.5Reflectors and reflector savings2.6Discrete ordinates methods2.7Method of characteristics2.8Monte Carlo methods2.9Cell homogenisation2.10Practical exercise: criticality of a spherical reactor
3.1Point kinetics equations3.2Precursor groups3.3Reactivity and its units3.4Reactor period3.5Prompt jump3.6Response to reactivity steps3.7Inhour equation3.8Spatial kinetics3.9Subcritical sources3.10Lab: point kinetics simulation in Python
4.1Fuel temperature coefficient4.2Doppler effect4.3Moderator coefficient4.4Void coefficient4.5Power coefficient4.6Inherent stability4.7Pressure effects4.8Differences between PWR and BWR4.9Fast reactors and sodium4.10Case study: coefficients in different designs
5.1Control rods and their worth5.2Soluble boron and chemistry5.3Burnable poisons5.4Xenon and samarium5.5Xenon oscillations5.6Fuel burnup5.7Core management and refuelling5.8Shutdown margin5.9Power distribution5.10Practical exercise: control rod worth curves
6.1Anticipated operational occurrences6.2Reactivity-initiated accidents6.3Rod ejection6.4Boron dilution6.5Acceptance criteria6.6Coupled neutronics-thermal-hydraulics codes6.7Lessons from Chernobyl6.8Deterministic safety analysis6.9Requirements of the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN)6.10Case study: analysis of a reactivity transient
7.1Monte Carlo codes: OpenMC and Serpent7.2Deterministic core codes7.3Generation of group constants7.4Validation against benchmarks7.5ICSBEP critical experiments7.6Uncertainties in nuclear data7.7Sensitivity analysis7.8High-performance computing7.9Software quality assurance7.10Lab: cell model in OpenMC
8.1System definition8.2Neutronic model8.3Criticality calculation8.4Reactivity coefficients8.5Kinetic analysis8.6Design transient8.7Safety discussion8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
The programme is 100% online 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 it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. You work with OpenMC, Serpent, MCNP, PARCS and Python NumPy, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for point kinetics simulation, Monte Carlo modelling of fuel cells and analysis of reactivity transients. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: IAEA SSR-2/1, IAEA SSG-52, 10 CFR 50 Appendix A, IAEA SSG-2, CSN Instruction IS-27 and ANSI/ANS-19.6.1.
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
- 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's 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 OpenMC, Serpent, MCNP, PARCS and Python NumPy, 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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