Introduction to Nuclear Fission Reactors Course
Online 300-hour course in introduction to nuclear fission reactors. 6 modules covering IAEA SF-1 (Fundamental Safety Principles), the Convention on Nuclear Safety and IAEA Reactor Simulators for PC. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Introduction to Nuclear Fission Reactors Course — studying from New Zealand
New Zealand has no nuclear power generation, and its nuclear-related activity is limited to research, isotope applications and the regulation of imported radioactive materials. The country maintains a firm policy position against nuclear power under the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament and Arms Control Act 1987. Relevant professional roles mainly involve radiation protection, medical and industrial applications, and international safeguards cooperation, overseen by the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Health.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,280 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Does New Zealand have nuclear engineering registration or recognition?
New Zealand has no domestic nuclear power industry, and its nuclear-related activity is regulated mainly through the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for the Environment under the Radiation Protection framework. Engineering New Zealand is the general professional body. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their recognition is for employers to decide.
Where could nuclear-related engineering skills be used in New Zealand?
Relevant work in New Zealand is limited and mostly found in research, radiation safety, medical physics, and the handling of radioactive materials in industry and health. Employers in these areas generally require specific accredited training and licensing. A private qualification alone is unlikely to satisfy those requirements.
Can I study this from New Zealand without relocating?
Yes. The course is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from New Zealand and no student visa is needed. Specialist courses total 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible.
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 fundamentals of nuclear physics as applied to fission.
Classify the main types of fission reactors.
Describe the core and its neutronic and thermal behaviour.
Identify the main and auxiliary systems of a power plant.
Understand the principles of safety, operation and regulation.
Interpret the operation of a power plant using a simulator.
Develop an integrative project on a fission power plant.
Who it's for
- Nuclear power plant operations engineer wishing to specialise in Introduction to Nuclear Fission Reactors.
- Control room technician wishing to specialise in Introduction to Nuclear Fission Reactors.
- Nuclear projects engineer wishing to specialise in Introduction to Nuclear Fission Reactors.
- Radiological protection technician wishing to specialise in Introduction to Nuclear Fission Reactors.
- Nuclear maintenance engineer wishing to specialise in Introduction to Nuclear Fission Reactors.
- Energy sector consultant wishing to specialise in Introduction to Nuclear Fission Reactors.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter nuclear power plants.
What you'll work with
- IAEA SF-1 (Fundamental Safety Principles)
- Convention on Nuclear Safety
- Directive 2009/71/Euratom, as amended by 2014/87/Euratom (nuclear safety)
- IAEA SSR-2/1 Rev.1 (Safety of Nuclear Power Plants: Design)
- Law 25/1964 (on Nuclear Energy)
- Royal Decree 1400/2018 (Regulation on Nuclear Safety in Nuclear Installations)
- 10 CFR Part 50 (Licensing of Production and Utilisation Facilities)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Nuclear structure and binding energy1.2Fission: what happens and how much energy is released1.3Neutrons: production, moderation and absorption1.4Cross section and its energy dependence1.5Fissile materials and fertile materials1.6Chain reaction and multiplication factor1.7Criticality, subcriticality and supercriticality1.8Delayed neutrons: why a reactor can be controlled1.9Fission products and residual heat1.10Exercise: energy balance of a fission
2.1Classification by moderator and coolant2.2Pressurised water reactors2.3Boiling water reactors2.4Heavy water reactors2.5Gas-cooled reactors2.6Fast reactors and liquid metal-cooled reactors2.7Molten salt reactors2.8Small modular reactors2.9Research and isotope production reactors2.10Practice: compare three technologies for the same requirement
3.1Core geometry and fuel arrangement3.2Fuel assemblies and their structure3.3Control rods and neutron poisons3.4Reactivity coefficients and feedback3.5Xenon and samarium poisoning3.6Fuel burn-up and cycle management3.7Power distribution and peaking factors3.8Heat transfer from fuel to coolant3.9Thermal operating limits3.10Practice: analyse the evolution of reactivity over a cycle
4.1Primary and secondary circuits4.2Steam generators and turbine4.3Cooling and ultimate heat sink4.4Containment and confinement barriers4.5Active and passive safety systems4.6Nuclear and process instrumentation4.7Reactor control and protection4.8Power supply and emergency systems4.9Fuel handling and storage4.10Practice: follow the path of energy from start to finish
5.1Defence in depth5.2Design basis accident analysis5.3Severe accidents and their management5.4Lessons learned from historical accidents5.5Safety culture and the human factor5.6Regulatory bodies and licensing process5.7Normal operation, shutdowns and refuelling5.8In-service maintenance and inspection5.9Decommissioning and end of life of the facility5.10Practice: analyse a documented accident sequence
6.1Choice of reactor technology6.2Description of the system and its parameters6.3Fuel cycle analysis6.4Associated safety systems6.5Transient analysis6.6Applicable regulatory framework6.7Management of waste generated6.8Comparison with energy alternatives6.9Technical report6.10Project defence
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded lectures and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is IAEA Reactor Simulators for PC, Serpent 2, MATLAB, Python (NumPy), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real power plant simulator procedures for educational purposes, neutron balance calculations and analysis of operating cases. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the fundamentals of nuclear physics as applied to fission.
Classify the main types of fission reactors.
Describe the core and its neutronic and thermal behaviour.
Identify the main and auxiliary systems of a power plant.
Understand the principles of safety, operation and regulation.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
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 comprises 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 IAEA Reactor Simulators for PC, Serpent 2, MATLAB, Python (NumPy). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. This is in-house training, not an official title from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed on a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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