Diploma in Transient Operation and Postulated Accidents
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in transient operation and postulated accidents: 8 modules covering the design basis, deterministic safety analysis to IAEA SSG-2 Rev.1, transient thermal-hydraulics, system codes, anticipated operational occurrences, design basis accidents under 10 CFR 50.46 and BEPU methods, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Transient Operation and Postulated Accidents — 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: €1,090 (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 the design basis and the classification of postulated events.
Apply the deterministic safety analysis methodology.
Model operational transients and accidents with system codes.
Assess acceptance criteria and safety margins.
Apply best estimate methodologies with uncertainties.
Analyse design extension conditions.
Prepare accident analyses for licensing documentation.
Who it's for
- Nuclear safety analysts.
- Thermal-hydraulics engineers.
- Licensing engineers.
- Accident analysis specialists.
- Nuclear safety inspectors.
- Simulator instructors.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the nuclear energy sector.
What you'll work with
- IAEA SSG-2 Rev.1 (deterministic safety analysis)
- IAEA SSR-2/1 Rev.1 (safety of nuclear power plants: design)
- 10 CFR 50.46 (ECCS acceptance criteria)
- 10 CFR 50 Appendix K (ECCS evaluation models)
- NUREG-0800 Chapter 15 (transient and accident analysis)
- NRC Regulatory Guide 1.203 (evaluation model development methodology)
- WENRA Safety Reference Levels
- RELAP5-3D
- TRACE
- CATHARE
- ATHLET
- SNAP
8 modules
1.1Defence in depth and plant states1.2Postulated initiating events1.3Frequency and classification1.4Anticipated operational occurrences1.5Design basis accidents1.6Design extension conditions1.7Single failure criteria1.8Conservative assumptions1.9SSR-2/1 requirements1.10Case study: classification of events for a plant
2.1Objectives according to SSG-22.2Conservative and best estimate approaches2.3Acceptance criteria2.4Safety margins2.5Initial and boundary conditions2.6Operator actions2.7System availability2.8Documentation of the analysis2.9Independent review2.10Workshop: structure of a deterministic analysis
3.1Two-fluid models3.2Two-phase flow and flow regimes3.3Critical heat flux3.4Reactor point kinetics3.5Reactivity feedback3.6Natural circulation3.7Pressure waves and water hammer3.8Multidimensional phenomena3.9Empirical correlations3.10Practical exercise: point kinetics calculation
4.1Structure of RELAP5 and TRACE4.2Plant nodalisation4.3Component models4.4Steady-state initial conditions4.5Modelling of control systems4.6European codes CATHARE and ATHLET4.7Validation matrices4.8User effects4.9Graphical interfaces4.10Lab: nodalisation and steady state
5.1Loss of load5.2Turbine trip5.3Loss of coolant flow5.4Reactivity insertion5.5Control system failures5.6Overcooling5.7Loss of off-site power5.8Transients during shutdown5.9Analysis of results5.10Practical exercise: simulation of a turbine trip
6.1Large-break LOCA6.2Small-break LOCA6.3Steam generator tube rupture6.4Steam line break6.5Control rod ejection6.610 CFR 50.46 criteria6.7Appendix K6.8Fuel handling accidents6.9Radiological consequences6.10Lab: simulation of a small-break LOCA
7.1BEPU methodology7.2PIRT phenomena identification7.3CSAU methodology7.4Wilks' method7.5Uncertainty propagation7.6Sensitivity analysis7.7RG 1.203 EMDAP methodology7.8Regulatory acceptance7.9International cases7.10Case study: uncertainty analysis of a peak cladding temperature
8.1Event selection8.2Definition of assumptions8.3Nodalisation of the reference plant8.4Transient simulation8.5Uncertainty analysis8.6Assessment against acceptance criteria8.7Safety conclusions8.8Analysis report8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
Training 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 the programme can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is RELAP5-3D, TRACE, CATHARE, ATHLET and SNAP, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: simulation of a small loss of coolant, sensitivity analysis of safety margins and review of an accident analysis chapter. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: IAEA SSG-2 Rev.1, IAEA SSR-2/1 Rev.1, 10 CFR 50.46, 10 CFR 50 Appendix K, NUREG-0800 Chapter 15, NRC Regulatory Guide 1.203, WENRA Safety Reference Levels.
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 RELAP5-3D, TRACE, CATHARE, ATHLET and SNAP, 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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