This course provides students with an introduction to the key elements of nuclear engineering. It is aimed at giving students the basic background knowledge, understanding and vocabulary to demonstrate what differentiates nuclear engineering from other engineering disciplines, and to understand later courses on the Nuclear Engineering MEngSci stream.

The course will introduce a variety of themes including nuclear fission, reactor physics and engineering, the historical context of nuclear engineering, the impact of radiation on matter, fuel fabrication and the fuel cycle, radioactive wastes and storage methods, reactor accidents, and nuclear policy.

The material will be presented by a team of leading researchers in nuclear engineering. The course material is advanced in nature, due to its interdisciplinary content, its delivery in an intensive mode, and the breadth of topics covered. Hence, students taking this course must have the skills of an Honours level graduate engineer such that they are capable of undertaking self-directed reading and learning in engineering systems, performing individual research, and have the required maths and engineering skills.