Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Centre for Nuclear Education and Research
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Contents
Welcome! 3MeetingtheEnergyChallenge 4NuclearEngineering@Birmingham 6OurResearch 7Our Undergraduate Programmes
BScinNuclearScienceandMaterials(H821) 8MEnginNuclearEngineering(H822) 8
Our Postgraduate ProgrammesMScPhysicsandTechnologyofNuclearReactors 10MScNuclearDecommissioningandWasteManagement 11
WhattheStudentsthinkofus 12Careers–WhattheIndustryExpertssayaboutus 14Careers–StudentInternshipsandEmploymentOpportunitiesforGraduates 15TheUniversity 16Birmingham–TheCity 17
Key facts�� TheUniversityofBirminghamhas
runnuclear-relatedcoursesforthepast60years
�� AlargeportionoftheUKNuclearworkforcehasbeentrainedattheUniversityofBirmingham
�� TheUniversityhasworld-leadingresearchfacilitiesincludingitsowncyclotron
www.birmingham.ac.uk/nuclear
3CentreforNuclearEducationandResearch
WhatmaynothaveescapedyourattentionisthattheUniversityofBirminghamhasoneofthemostattractivecampusesofanyUKUniversity,andhasambitiouslyinvestedinnationallyleadingsportingfacilitiesandlibrary.Thismatchesthedesiretobeamongstthebestenvironmentsforstudentstodevelopandthrive.TheUniversityisapowerhouseinthelocaleconomy,generatingoverabillionpoundsintotheWestMidlandseconomyperyear,andsupporting10,000jobs–equivalenttoonejobinevery50inBirmingham.Itsimpactontheeconomyismorethandoublethatoftheeightregionalfootballteamscombined.TheCollegeofEngineeringandPhysicalSciences(EPS)hasbeentheenginethathaspoweredthesuccessoftheUniversityinrecenttimes.ItencompassesPhysicsandAstronomy,Chemistry,Mathematics,ComputerScience,andtheEngineeringSchoolsassociatedwithElectrical,Chemical,Civil,MechanicalandMetallurgy&Materialsdisciplines.Itsresearchismotivatedbythedesiretodiscover,designanddeliverandthematicallyislinkedtoScienceFrontiers,AdvancedManufacturingandResilience,EnergyandSustainability.TheimpactoftheresearchofEPShasbeenmajor,fromthedevelopmentofthecavitymagnetron,whichrevolutionisedradarandgavebirthtothemicrowaveoven,toaleadingroleinthediscoveryoftheHiggsBoson.OneoftheliberatingeffectsoftheCollegestructureisthatitencouragescross-disciplineresearch,andmanyofthegreatchallengesresideattheseinterfaces.Nuclearpowerisafineexampleoftheneedtobridgesubjects.CombiningNuclearPhysicsandMaterialsopensuptheabilitytoadvanceourunderstandingofthebehaviourofmaterialsintheextremeenvironmentofreactors.Similarly,ComputerSciencewithMechanicalEngineeringisessentialforthedevelopmentofroboticssystemsfornucleardecommissioningandChemistrycombinedwithEarthandEnvironmentalSciences(andevenBiosciences)hasbeenkeyinunderstandingthemigrationofradionuclidesinthegeologyandhydrologicalenvironment.TheCentreforNuclearEducationandResearchtakesadvantageoftheleadingscienceandresearchwedoacrosstheUniversitytosolvethechallengesassociatedwithnuclearfission,fusion,nuclearwastemanagementanddecommissioning.Ourheritagemeansthatwehavesomeuniquefacilities,whichincludeourownparticleaccelerator–anMC40cyclotron.Thiscanacceleratehighenergybeamsofparticlessuchasprotons.BirminghamhasoneofthelargestnuclearresearchandeducationprogrammesintheUK,whichisembeddedinaUniversitythatbothcelebratesexcellencebutistrulyambitious.Thisisagreatplacetobothstudyandworkandwewouldbedelightedifyouwerepartofthat.
Welcome!
Staff profile
MartinFreerisaProfessorintheSchoolofPhysicsandAstronomy,andactsasHeadoftheNuclearPhysicsResearchgroupandDirectoroftheCentreforNuclearEducationandResearch.ProfFreer’smainresearchareaisthestudyofthestructureoflightnucleiusingnuclearreactions.HehasastronginterestintheUK’senergypolicyandledthe2012UniversityofBirminghamPolicyCommission,whichexaminedtheFutureofNuclearEnergyintheUK.In2010hewontheRutherfordMedalforhiscontributiontonuclearscience..
Staff profileProf Martin Freer
4 Centre for Nuclear Education and Research
Meeting the energy challenge
Manycountriesarerevolutionisingthewaytheygenerateenergy,butfortheUK–withitslargepopulationdensityandtherelativelyhighpercapitauseofelectricity–thesituationismoreacutethanforothercountries.Atatimewhendemandispredictedtoincrease,theUK’scurrentnuclearpowerstationswillbeapproachingtheirdesignlifetimes–thelastisduetoclosearound2035.Inaddition,manycoalpowerstationsaretobeclosedcommencingin2015,ascontrolsonvariousemissionsaretightened.Combined,thesetwosourcesaccountfornearly50%ofthecurrentUKelectricityproduction.Thiswillcreateasignificantgapbetweensupplyanddemandthat,unaddressed,willhavedramaticconsequences.Isenoughbeingdone,anddonefastenough,tofillthegapintheUK’senergyportfolio?HereinlaysthechallengeforbothGovernmentandthosewhoseektoinfluencepolicyalike.
Cop
yrig
ht:D
avid
JC
Mac
Kay
TheKyotoProtocolagreedin1997commitsnationstocutgreenhousegasemissions.TheUKmadeaunilateralcommitmenttoreduceitsgreenhousegasemissions(focussingonCO2)by80%of1990levelsby2050–acommitmentnowenshrinedinthe2008ClimateChangeAct.TheUK’selectricityconsumptionisapproximately350TWhperyearandthelion’sshare(approximately70%)isproducedbyCO2-generatingcoalandgaspowerstations.Thesolutionthenseemsobvious:decommissioncoalandgaspowerstationsandreplacethemwithlow-carbonalternatives.
Isthisisaplausiblesolution?Theanswerisnottrivial.TheUKroadtransportproducesapproximately20%ofCO2emissionsandelectrificationoftransportwouldincreaseelectricitydemand.HistoryshowsthatitisunlikelythatelectricitydemandintheUKwill
plateauordecrease–inthelast30yearstherehasbeenanapproximatelylineargrowthindemandof3-5TWh/year.
Onedrawbackofrenewableenergysourcesisthattheyneedalotofspace;windturbineshaveanenergydensityof2-3W/m2,sothata25MWwindfarmwouldneedtensquarekilometresofland.Toputthisintocontext,theUK’sdemanddividedbyitslandareagivesafigureinexcessof1W/m2,implyingthecoverage1/3-1/2oftheUKlandmasswithwindturbines.Offshorewindturbinessolvethisproblem,butcreateothersnotleastofwhichbeingtheincreasedcost,whichisanimportantconsiderationnotonlyforthedomesticconsumerandvoter,butalsoforindustry.
Aspartofthesolution,theGovernmenthasastatedaimofencouragingthecontinueduseofnuclearenergy,atriedandtestedtechnology
10
100
10 100 1000
Ener
gy c
onsu
mpt
ion
per p
erso
n (k
Wh/
d/p)
Population density (people per km2)
Australia
BrazilChina
IndiaSudanTanzania
Iran
1 W/m 2
0.1 W/m 2
10 W/m 2
0.01 W/m 2
0.001 W/m 2
Iceland
NorwayCanada
Sweden
JapanNetherlandsFrance
United States
Denmark United KingdomGermany
Portugal
United Arab Emirates Bahrain
Mexico
Saudi Arabia
Russia
Kazakhstan
Jordan
AlgeriaEgypt
South Africa
Botswana
Ghana
Bangladesh
Zimbabwe
DRC
S. Korea
1990
Libya
1990
TherearemanychallengesfacingtheUK,perhapsnonegreaterthanthatassociatedwithenergy.Drivenbytheneedtoaddressclimatechangeandenergysecurity,theUKisreshapingitsenergyportfolio.Inabidtodecarboniseenergyproduction,renewableenergysourcesaretakingcentrestage-coupledwitheffortstoincreaseenergyefficiency.Nevertheless,itiswidelybelievedthatsuchsourcesalonecannotmeetthefullUKdemand.Otherlowcarbonsourceswillberequired.
5Centre for Nuclear Education and Research
Cop
yrig
ht:E
DF
showntobeoneofthelowestemittersofgreenhousegasesandthatwouldcontributetotheUK’ssecurityofsupplybyprovidingasignificantfractionofthecountry’sbaseloadelectricity.Importantly,atthepoliticallevel,thereiscross-partysupportformaintainingasignificantproportionofnuclearintheUK’sfutureenergymix.InsomescenariosthecontributiontotheUKselectricitygenerationfromnuclearpowercouldbeashighas40%.
Intermsofnewconstruction,eightormorereactorsareunderconsideration.ThefirsttobeconstructedwillbetheAREAEPRreactoratbothHinkleyPointCandSizewellC.TheEPRisamodernpressurisedwaterreactor(PWR)withhighlevelsofsafety.Next,itislikelythattheHitachi-GEadvancedboilingwaterreactor(ABWR)willbeconstructed,followedbyothers.WiththislevelofinvestmentthereisasignificantchanceoftheUKmakingprogress
towardsitsgreenhousegasemissionstargets,andsecuringitselectricitysupplyforfuturegenerations.Whatisabundantlyclearisthatnuclearenergyisgoingtoplayakeyrole.
6 Centre for Nuclear Education and Research
Nuclear engineering @ Birmingham
‘TheBirminghamCentreforNuclearEducationandResearchwaslaunchedin2010andprovidestheinvestmentandinfrastructuretogrowthenuclearexpertiseandcapacitythathasexistedatBirminghamforover60years.’
TheUniversityofBirminghamhasalongandestablishedtrackrecordintheareasofdecommissioning,healthmonitoring,nuclearphysicsandresiduallifepredictionofexistingnuclearpowerstations.ThePhysicsandTechnologyofNuclearReactorsMSccoursebeganin1956,onlyweeksbeforetheopeningoftheCalderHallpowerstationatSellafield.Buildinguponourexperienceinthisfield,theUniversitylaunchedtheMSccourseinRadioactiveWasteManagementandDecommissioning,andundergraduateprogrammesinNuclearScienceandMaterials(BSc)andNuclearEngineering(MEng).TheteachingactivitiesoftheCentreforNuclearEducationandResearcharesupportedbyresearchprogrammesacrossallSchoolsintheCollegeofEngineeringandPhysicalSciences.InMetallurgyandMaterials,theUniversityofBirminghamhasmadesignificantcontributionsinthestudyoftheextensionofthelifetimeofreactormaterials,whichledtoProfessorJohnKnottreceivinganOBEfor‘servicestoNuclearSafety’in2004.TheresearchgroupsofProfessorAlisonDavenportandDoctorBrianConnollyalsomadeimportantcontributionstowardsunderstandingtheeffectsofradiationandcorrosiveenvironmentsonmaterialsmakingupcriticalcomponentsofnuclearpowerplantsandspentfuelstoragesites.
IntheGeosciencearea,theUniversityhasactiveresearchprogrammesingeospherecharacterisationfornuclearwastedisposal,inparticulargroundwaterengineering,groundwaterpollutionandthemodellingofcontaminanttransportincomplexaquifersystems.InPhysics,theUniversityalsohasanestablishedrecordinresearchintoradioactivewasteassay,havingsupportedPhDprogrammesincollaborationwithindustryonassayofwastedrumscontaininguraniumandplutoniumusingbothgamma-rayandneutrondetectiontechniques.Thankstothenuclear-relatedresearchactivityspanningmanySchools,stronglinkswithindustrialpartners,andits60-year-strongexperienceatteachingthesesubjects,theUniversityofBirminghamisinauniquepositiontooffertheundergraduateandpostgraduateprogrammesdescribedinthisprospectus.
7Centre for Nuclear Education and Research
Our research
Nuclear Physics
Thestudyofthestructureofthenucleusanditsconstituentsisfundamentaltothekeyquestionsthatunderpinourunderstandingoftheuniverse.TheserangefromthenatureoftheuniverseaninstantaftertheBigBang,throughtohowbesttoharnessthepoweroftheatom.Bystudyingthestructureofatomicnuclei,researchersattheUniversityofBirminghamhopetoprovideanswerstothesefundamentalquestions.Ourworkinthisareatakesustoaninternationalstage:experimentsusingtheALICEdetectorattheLHCatCERN(forwhichourresearchersconstructedkeycomponents)arecollidingheavynucleitogethertoformthequark-gluonplasma.
Nuclear waste remediation
Theimportanceofremediationofradio-nucleiwithintheenvironmentandthepreventionofradioactivematerialescapingintotheenvironmenthasbeenhighlightedbytheposttsunamieventssurroundingFukushima.NewtechnologiesarebeingdevelopedattheUniversityofBirmingham.Giventheissuesovercleaningupexistinglegacywastesittinginstoragepondsanddealingwiththereactorsduetobedecommissioned,ourworkondevelopingnewandimprovedion-exchangematerialscontinuestobeanimportanttopic.Additionally,werunexcitingresearchprogrammeslookingatthepotentialofusingbio-moleculesfornuclearwasteremediation.
Materials in extreme environments
Thefutureofnuclearpowerisintimatelylinkedtoourabilitytodevelopnewmaterialscapableofoperatingathighertemperaturesandpressures,andreliablycharacterisingtheirpropertiesundertheseconditions.Additionally,oneofthekeyissuesfacingthesectorisagenuineunderstandingofhowmaterialschangewhentheyareexposedtohighlevelsofradiation;changestotheirtensilestrengthcouldhavedramaticconsequences!Birminghamhasanon-sitematerialsirradiationfacilityconsistingoftheUK-uniqueMC40cyclotron.Thecyclotronisabletoacceleratebeamsofprotonsandfocusthemontosamplesofthesizeofafewmm.Thesesamplescanalsobetested,insitu,toestablishhowtheirpropertiesevolvewithirradiation.
Nuclear waste storage
Safestorageofradioactivematerialsfromthenuclearindustryremainsaresearchchallenge.AusteniticstainlesssteelsarethemostcommonmaterialsusedforintermediatelevelradioactivewastecontainersintheUK.However,thetimeforwhichtheradioactivematerialmustbestoredsignificantlyexceedsourworkingexperienceofthesestainlesssteels.Inordertobeconfidentoftheresilienceofthematerialovertheperiodofthousandsofyearsthecorrosionpropertiesmustbeunderstoodindetail.ResearchatBirminghamfundedbytheNuclearDecomissioningAuthorityischaracterisingindetailthecorrosionprocess.Thisinvolvesbothdirectmeasurementsofthecorrosionprocessandcorrosionmodelling.
Robotics
Oneoftheoutstandingchallengesinthenuclearindustryisthedecommissioningofthecurrentgenerationofnuclearreactorsandfacilities.Theassociatedcostsarepredictedtobeinexcessof£70billion.Thisisahighlycomplexproblem,whichinvolvesworkinginhighlyactiveenvironmentsnormallyinaccessiblebyhumans.AttheUniversityofBirmingham,researchershaveworkedondevelopingroboticsystemscapableoflearningandmakingintelligentdecisionsformanyyears.Theseresearchersarenowleadingaresearchprogramme,sponsoredbytheNuclearDecommissioningAuthority,focussingondevelopingroboticsforremotedismantlingofcontaminatedenvironments.
Human factors
Anessentialcomponentofnuclearsafetyisrealistictraining.Thisisrelevanttoboththeoperationanddecommissioningofnuclearreactors.Intheageofgamingmachines,oneofthemostportableandeffectivetrainingenvironmentsisvirtual.ResearchersattheUniversityofBirminghamhaveusedgamingenginestogenerateavarietyofrealistictrainingenvironments.Forexample,ourSubSafeprojecthasbeenusedtotrainsubmarinerstooperateUK’snuclearsubmarinessafely.Inthesesimulations,traineeshaveaccesstoalldecks,comprisingover30compartmentsand500objects,includingmajorsafety-criticalitems.TheabilitytodeveloprealistictrainingscenarioshasbeenrecognisedbythenuclearindustrytobeanimportantcomponentofdevelopingsafeoperationoffuturefacilitiesandtheUniversityofBirminghamiscurrentlyengagedindiscussionswithpartnercompaniesregardingthedevelopmentofsuchsimulations.
8 Centre for Nuclear Education and Research
Our Undergraduate ProgrammesBSc in Nuclear Science and Materials (H821)MEng in Nuclear Engineering (H822)
TheseuniquecoursesaredesignedtodeveloptheskillsandunderstandingrequiredtopreparestudentsfortheNuclearSector.Ourundergraduatecoursesprovideastrongbackgroundinphysics,mathematicsandengineering,togetherwithmodulesspecificallydesignedtotrainstudentsforthenuclearindustry.FundamentalsandbackgroundmodulesaredrawnfromtoprankedSchoolsacrosstheUniversityincludingtheSchoolsofPhysicsandAstronomy,andtheSchoolofMetallurgyandMaterials.Thesedegreecourseshavebeendesignedinresponsetodemandfromthenuclearindustrytoequipstudentswiththefundamentalstoprovidenon-fossilfuelalternativesforourfutureenergyrequirements. Inyear1and2,studentsspend80%oftheirtimecoveringsomeofthebackgroundphysicsrelevantfornuclearengineeringaswellasdevelopingbasicskillsessentialforacareerinthenuclearindustry.Theremainingtimeinyear1and2isspentlearningthefundamentalsofmaterialsscienceandengineering.Inyear3,studentsstartexploringsomeofthespecific
knowledgeessentialforthesector,throughradiationdetectionlaboratoriesandmodulesontheenvironmentaldegradationofmaterials,thephysicsofnuclearfusionandfissionandradiationprotection.StudentsontheMEngcoursespendyear4coveringmasters-levelcoursesonnuclearengineering,reactorcontrolsystems,radiationtransportandadvancedparticledetectors.
Assessmentmethodsincludeexaminations,writtenassignments,oralandposterpresentations,computer-basedtests,classtestsandlaboratoryreports.Inthethirdyear,studentsworkona12-weeknuclear-industry-relatedgroupproject,presentingfindingsandresultstoourindustrialpartners.StudentsontheMEngcoursealsodoanindividualresearchprojectduringtheirfourthyear.Duringthistime,studentsarefullyembeddedintheresearchgroupsofacademicsintheSchoolofMetallurgyandMaterials,workingonkeyissuesconcerningthematerialsthatwillbeusedinthenuclearpowerplantsofthefuture.
DrBrianConnollyisaSeniorLectureranddirectorofundergraduatecoursesfortheCentreforNuclearEducationandResearch.DrConnolly’sexpertiseisprimarilyintheareaofcorrosionengineeringandelectrochemicalscience.Hehaspublishedover30papersinscientificjournalsaswellasreviewsandbookchapters.Healsohasovertenyearsexperienceinundergraduateandgraduateeducation/instructionwithanemphasisonmechanicalengineeringandmaterialsscience.
Staff profile
Dr Brian Connolly
9Centre for Nuclear Education and Research
Year 1 modules�� FundamentalsofMaterials
Science:Structure�� FundamentalsofMaterials
Science:Shaping�� ClassicalMechanicsandRelativity1�� Electromagnetism,Temperature
andMatter�� FluidFlow,Thermodynamics
andHeatTransfer�� Mathematics�� PhysicsLaboratories�� CommunicationandPresentationSkills
Year 3 modules�� ControlofMicrostructure�� DesignAgainstStructuralFailure�� EnvironmentalDegradationofMaterials�� DesignforManufacture�� ThermalHydrolics�� EssentialsofQuantumMechanics�� NuclearPhysics2�� PhysicsofNuclearFusionandFission�� NuclearRadiationLaboratory�� RadiationProtection,Dosimetry
andShielding�� IndustrialGroupProject
Year 2 modules�� FerrousandNon-FerrousAlloys�� Fracture,FatigueandCorrosion�� FunctionalCeramics�� ClassicalMechanicsandRelativity2�� NuclearPhysics�� Mathematics�� StatisticalPhysicsandEntropy�� PhysicsLaboratories�� ElectricalPower�� CommunicationandPresentationSkills
How to applyApplicationsareacceptedviaUCAS
Admission requirementsBScNuclearScienceandMaterials(H821):
�� AAB(AinPhysicsandMathematics)MEngNuclearEngineering(H822):
�� AAA(AinPhysicsandMathematics)
Year 4 modules�� NuclearEngineering�� ReactorSystemsandSafetyAnalysis�� ReactorControlSystems�� RadiationTransportand
ReactorKinetics�� ParticleDetectorsandElectronics�� OptionalModuleChoices�� IndividualResearchProject
AccreditationsOurcoursesareaccreditedbytheNuclearInstituteandtheMEngdegreeisaccreditedbytheInstituteofMaterials(IOM3).
ScholarshipsForhome/EUstudents,weofferscholarshipsbasedonentrygrades:£3,500forA*A*A,£2,500forA*AA.NotethattheA*shouldbemathematicsand/oranumeratescience(Physics,Chemistry,Biology).Foroverseasstudents,weoffer£3000forstudentswithA*AAorAAAAand£1,500forstudentswithAAA.Thesearerenewedyearlyat£1,500subjecttooutstandingperformanceinthecourse.Inaddition,applicantscanalsoapplyforUniversity-widescholarships,suchasthoseformusicandsports.
Learn more
AdmissionTutor:DrAlessandroMotturaTel:+44(0)1214145235Email:[email protected]
www.birmingham.ac.uk/nuclear/ug
10 Centre for Nuclear Education and Research
Our Postgraduate ProgrammesMSc Physics and Technology of Nuclear Reactors
Theaimofthisprogramme–whichbeganin1956–istoprovidethenecessarybackground,bothinbreadthandindepth,foranyonewishingtoenterthenuclearindustry.Theareasofstudyanddegreeofspecialisationinvolvedhavechangedconsiderablytoreflecttheincreasingsophisticationofthefield,andyettheoverallbreadthofthecoursehasbeenmaintained.StudentshipsaresponsoredbythenuclearindustryintheUK,andtheseprovideexcellentandeffectiveentryroutesintocareersinthisstimulatingfieldforphysicists,mathematicians,metallurgistsorengineers.
Thisdegreecoursewillprovidestudentswiththerelevantskills,knowledgeandunderstandinginnuclearsciences,reactordesignandcontrol,andmaterialsscience,preparinggraduatesforacareerinthenuclearindustry.
Thecourserunsovera12-monthperiodfromOctobertoSeptember.Taughtmodulesaredeliveredintheautumnandspringterms
andconsistoflecturesandpracticalsessionsinterspersedwithfieldtripsandindustryseminars.Taughtmodulesinclude:particledetectors;nuclearelectronics;radiationdosimetry;radiologicalprotection;radiationshielding;thermalhydraulicsandnuclearengineering;metallurgy;reactormaterials;safetyanalysis;non-destructivetesting;reactorkineticsandcontrol;nuclearfusionandprinciplesofdecommissioning.FromApriltoSeptember,studentsundertakeanindependentresearchproject,usuallywithinthenuclearindustry.
Assessmentisdonethroughavarietyofmethods,includinglaboratoryexercises,writtencoursework,casestudyreports,oralpresentationsandstandardexaminations.Theindependentresearchprojectisassessedthroughawrittenreport.
How to applyApplyonlinebyvisitingwww.birmingham.ac.uk/nuclear
Learn more
DrPaulNormanTel:+44(0)1214144660Email:[email protected]
DrPaulNormanisaSeniorLecturerintheNuclearPhysicsgroupandheiscoursedirectorfortheMScinPhysicsandTechnologyofNuclearReactorsMScprogram.DrNormanhasalsodonepurenuclearphysicsresearch,includingsignificantcontributionsatbothCERNandBrookhavennationallab.Ontheappliednuclearphysicsside,DrNormanhasappearedseveraltimesonBBC’s“ThePoliticsShow”speakingaboutnuclearpower,andhashadmanyradioappearancesandpublicationsinphysicsandengineeringmagazines.
Staff profile
Dr Paul Norman
11Centre for Nuclear Education and Research
MSc Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Management
Thenuclearweaponsandnuclearenergyprogrammesofthepast60yearshaveleftanextensivelegacyofwasteandcontaminationaroundtheworld.Thisnuclearlegacyisoneofthemostsignificantenvironmentalandtechnicalchallengesfacingsocietytodayandthereisarecognizedshortageofskilledgraduatesinthefield.TheNuclearDecommissioningandWasteManagementcoursewilltraingraduatesforcareersintheNuclearIndustryandwillprovidethemwiththescientificunderstandingandpracticalskillsneededtoaddressthischallenge.
Thisdegreecoursewillprovidestudentswiththerelevantskills,knowledgeandunderstandinginnuclearsciences(nuclearphysicsandradiochemistry),geosciences(includinggeochemistry,geophysicsandhydrogeology)andmaterialsscience,topreparegraduatesforacareerinnucleardecommissioning,wastemanagementandremediation.
Thecourserunsovera12-monthperiodfromOctobertoSeptember.Taughtmodulesare
deliveredintheautumnandspringtermsandconsistoflecturesandpracticalsessionsinterspersedwithfieldtripsandindustryseminars.Taughtmodulesofferedinclude:nuclearradiationanddosimetry;nuclearfuelcycleandradiationshielding;sitedecommissioningandenvironmentalmanagement;processing,storageanddisposalofnuclearwastes;policy,regulationandmanagement;field,laboratoryandcomputingstudies.FromApriltoSeptember,studentsundertakeanindependentresearchprojectallowingthemtofurtherdeveloptheirskillsandunderstandinginspecificareas.
Assessmentisdonethroughavarietyofmethods,includinglaboratoryexercises,writtencoursework,casestudyreports,oralpresentationsandstandardexaminations.Theindependentresearchprojectisassessedthroughawrittenreport.
How to applyApplyonlinebyvisitingwww.birmingham.ac.uk/nuclear Learn more
DrAlanHerbertTel:+44(0)1214149130Email:[email protected]
DrAlanHerbertisaleadingmathematicalmodelerandhydrogeologistspecializingintheunderstandingofcoupledprocessesandheterogeneousgroundwatersystems.Ofparticularinterestaredeepfracturedrocksandtheapplicationstonuclearwastedisposal,geothermalenergyandfrackingforexploitationofshalegasresources.HeiscurrentlyPIforaresearchcollaborationinvolvingNDAandNAGRA,studyingnumericalmodellingofcolloidmigrationexperimentscarriedoutintheGrimselUndergroundResearchLaboratoryinSwitzerland.
Staff profile
Dr Alan Herbert
12 Centre for Nuclear Education and Research
What the students think of us
‘MycourseisabsolutelyfascinatingandIcouldn’timaginedoing
anythingelse!Wegettocoversuchabroadrangeofsubjectsanddisciplines,noothercoursecanevencomeclose.It’sjam-packedandachallengebutaveryrewardingoneatthat,andthesupportfromtheUniversityissecondtonone.Thereisnotanotherdegreethatwillpushyouandstretchyouasmuchasthiscourse,butthereisnobetterdegreeofferedtoincreaseyouremployability!You’lllearnhowtoapproachandsolvealmostanyproblemandthiswillcarrythroughintothewideworldofwork.’
Chris Jones, MEng Nuclear Engineering
‘TheenergyindustrywillfacesomemassivechallengesinthefutureandIchosetostudyNuclearEngineeringatBirminghambecauseIwasintriguedbythistechnology.Ilovehowthecourseisindustry-specific,whichwillprovideanexcellentfoundationforacareerinthegrowingnuclearsector.
Ourlecturersareveryexperiencedandourlaboratoryactivitiesareinterestingandengaging,allowingustoexplorethesubjectfully.’
Stacy Snook, MEng Nuclear Engineering
‘ChoosingtostudyNuclearEngineeringatBirminghamwasagreatdecision.Thecourseandthestudentlifestylehavehelpedmetogrowbothacademicallyandasaperson.NuclearEngineeringcoverssuchagreatbreadthofsubjectscomparedwithanythingelseonoffer–anywhere!This
diversityisunparalleledandemployersloveit.Nuclearengineershaveformedauniquecommunity:theyeargroupsaresmallenoughthateverybodyknowseachother,andtheolderyearsarefriendly,funandalwaysaroundtoofferyousupport,bothacademicallyandpersonally.Idonotregretmydecision,andneitherwillyou.’William Thomas, MEng Nuclear Engineering
13Centre for Nuclear Education and Research
‘WhensomeonefindsoutthatIdoNuclearEngineeringthetypical
responsethatIgetisalongthelinesof‘ohthatsoundshard!’Howeverit’salotmorethanhard.It’senjoyableandverydifferenttootherengineeringcourses.Duetoourfirmphysicsbackground(whichwedevelopovertheyears),weareinabetterplacewhenitcomestoemploymentthanmanyothergraduates.Thestudentsandstaffaroundusprovideafriendlyatmosphereandit’slikeasecondhometous.Sopersonally,IreckondoingnuclearengineeringisthegreatestdecisionIhaveevermade!’
Ruqia Bibi, MEng Nuclear Engineering
‘Havingdoneanundergraduatedegreeinparticlephysics,IdecidedtogoinmoredepthanddoamastersinthePhysicsandTechnologyofNuclearReactors(PTNR).IhavetosaythatwasthebestdecisionItookasthiscoursehelpedmetodeveloptherightskillsascientist/researchershouldhaveand
setthefoundationsformyPhD.Furthermore,itisoneofthefewcoursesintheUKthathasexcellentlabfacilitiestrainingphysicistsandengineersforasuccessfulcareerinthenuclearindustry.IenjoyeditthatmuchthatthelastfouryearsIhavebeendemonstratinginthelabs,teachingthenextgenerationofstudentsaboutradiationandthedifferentwaysofdetectingit.So,ifsomeoneisthinkingofagreatfutureinthenuclearindustryIthinkit’sthebestcoursetodo.’
Georgia Adam, MSc in Physics and Technology of Nuclear Reactors
Careers - What the Industry experts say about us
'Birminghamhasrunnuclear-relatedcoursesuninterruptedforthepast60years,deliveringhigh-qualitygraduatestothenuclearindustry.ThismeansthatalargeportionofengineeringandscientistsinthenuclearindustrystartedtheircareeratBirmingham,andviewBirminghamasthebestplacetogettrainingforacareerinNuclearEngineering.'Professor Martin Freer, Director of the Centre for Nuclear
Education and Research
'Fusionpowerisapromisingsustainablesourceofenergyandpotentiallyavitalcomponentinafuturelow-carbonenergymixinthelatterpartofthiscenturyandbeyond.CulhamCentreforFusionEnergy(CCFE)inOxfordshireisattheforefrontofmagneticconfinementfusionresearch.Ithoststheworld’slargesttokamak,theJointEuropeanTorus(JET),whichdemonstratedin1997thatsignificantcontrolledfusionenergyproductionispossiblebyheatingadeuterium-tritiumplasma,containedviaamagneticfield,tomorethan100milliondegrees.Totakefusionforwardtoapracticalandeconomicmeansofenergyproductionsignificanttechnologicalchallengesnowneedtobeaddressed.Theseinclude,forexample,demonstratingtheperformanceofmaterialsunderhighenergyneutronirradiation,anddevelopingrobusttechnologiestoproduceandmanagethetritiumfuel,whichmustbebredinalithiumblanketsurroundingtheplasma.SeveralformerBirminghamgraduatesareemployedatCCFEandareplayingastrongroleinexcitingresearchactivitiesthatareongoing,inUKdomestic,Europeanandinternationalcollaborations,notablyinthekeyareaofneutronicssimulationsandnuclearexperiments.Giventhechallengesthatneedtobetackledtobringfusionpowertofruition,therewillbeastrongneedforhighlyskilledgraduatesfromcoursessuchasthewell-establishedPhysicsandTechnologyofNuclearReactorsandNuclearEngineeringcoursesatBirmingham.'Lee Parker, Applied Radiation Physics Section Leader, UK Atomic Energy Authority
'Thenuclearpowerindustryinvolvesoperatingsomeofthelargestandmostcomplexmachinesintheworld.WiththeGovernmentdeterminedthatweneedtobuildnewreactorstosecureourelectricitysupplies,therearefantasticopportunitiesfortalentedengineersandscientistsinthesector.EDFEnergyisleadingtheway,andBirmingham’snuclearcoursesprovidejustthesortoftrainingwerequire,sothatgraduatescanhitthegroundrunningandmakearealcontributiontoourbusiness.'Barbara Jones, HR
Director for EDF Energy’s Nuclear New
Build projects
'AtHorizonwegreatlyappreciatetherelationshipthatwehavewiththeUniversityanditsPTNRprogramme,notleastinthehighcalibreofthestudentswhograduatefromthisprogrammeandelecttojoinourCompany.Atatimeofrenewed,sustainedandgrowinginterestinnuclearpowerintheUK,havingacloserelationshipwithsuchalong-establishednuclearengineeringprogrammeandcentre-of-excellenceisveryvaluableindeed.'Mark Tippett, Learning and Development Manager Horizon Nuclear Power
'Withreactornewbuildabouttobegin,lifeextensionofthesevenoperatingAdvancedGasReactorstationsandnewcontractsinplacetodecommissionthetenMagnoxandthreemajorUKnuclearresearchsitestherehasneverbeenamoreexcitingandchallengingtimefornuclearcapablegraduatesworkinginCavendishNuclear.CavendishNuclearisworkingcloselywiththeUniversitytodevelopandsustainapipelineofhighcalibrestudentswhowillmakeagrowingcontributiontomeetingthisnationallyimportantchallengenowandfordecadestocome.'Robert Page, Governance
Director, Cavendish Nuclear
14 CentreforNuclearEducationandResearch
15CentreforNuclearEducationandResearch
NEARLY 60% OF MSC PTNR STUDENTS OBTAIN JOBS IN THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY EVEN BEFORE THEY COMPLETE THEIR DEGREE.
Overthesummer,IwasatthePrincetonPlasmaPhysicsLaboratory(PPPL),PrincetonUniversity,USA,workingasasummernuclearfusionresearchstudent.ThePPPLisaworld-class,world-respectedUSDepartmentofEnergyscientificlaboratoryoperatedby
PrincetonUniversityforfusionenergyresearch–mainlyresearchingonplasmaphysicsandexperimentalfusionwiththeirtwofusionreactorsNSTXandLTX.
Myresearchprojectwasbasedonanewinductivecurrentdrivemechanismfornuclearfusionreactors(Tokamaksand/orsphericalconfiguration).TheprojectwastoresearchtheprofileofelectricalcurrentsgeneratedusingANSYSMaxwell3Dsoftwarepackage,investigateifthemechanismisfeasibleatthelaboratoryscaleandperformamaterialsselection.IpresentedmyresultstophysicistsatPrincetonUniversityintheformofbothapresentationandposter,andproducedanacademicpaper.Mypaperisnowpendingpeer-reviewintheFusionScience&Technologyjournal.
OutofalltheworkexperiencesIhavedone,thisplacementhasbeenthemostrewardingandmostvaluable.Ihavegainedknowledgewithinfusionengineering,howalargeinternationalscientificlaboratoryoperatesand,moreimportantly,conductedindependentresearch.IfanyoneisinterestedincontinuingontoaPhD(likeme),asummerresearchplacementwillshowyouactuallywhattheworkinvolves.
Here is a selection of companies who have recently employed some of our graduates:
�Magnox�NNL�EDFEnergy�AMEC�Rolls-RoyceCivil�Rolls-RoyceMarine�Atkins�AWE�Cavendish�Nuclear/Babcock�Frazer-Nash�BAESystems�ArevaCanberra�ArevaRMC�Sellafield�BAESystems�Culham
TYPICAL STARTING SALARY IS
£27,000
Careers - Student Internships and Employment Opportunities for Graduates
Student Internship
Thomas Davis, MEng Nuclear Engineering
16 Centre for Nuclear Education and Research
The University
‘Foroveronehundredyears,learningandresearchattheUniversityofBirminghamhasplayedakeyroleinthesuccessofthecity,theregionandtheworld,contributinggreatlytotheadvancementofknowledgeanditsapplication.’
Builtonafoundationofscienceandengineering,theUniversityofBirminghamoffersoneofthelargestsubjectbasesintheUK,spanningphysicalsciencesandengineering,thelifesciences,medicineanddentistry.
ThegreenandleafyEdgbastoncampusoftheUniversity,locatedtwomilessouthofBirminghamcitycentre,hasbeenrankedasoneofthetopcampusenvironmentsinthecountry.Ithousesalltheamenitiesthatyouwouldexpecttofindinasmalltown,includingshops,banks,bars,librariesandsportsfacilities,allofwhichservetomakeyourtimehereapleasantexperience.
Research and TeachingBirminghamisaresearch-richuniversity,withastrongbeliefinresearch-ledteaching.Ourgroundbreakingresearchintothetreatmentofcancer,pioneeringworkonnewenergytechnologiesandexcitingdevelopmentsinnanotechnologyillustratehowwearepushingforwardtheboundariesofknowledgeandimpactingonourlivesandsociety.Ourworld-leadingresearchinformsthecontentofourdegreecourses,andincombinationwithcontinualinvestmentandimprovementinthelatestteachingtechnologiesand
methodologies,keepsthecampusteachingandlearningenvironmentfreshandup-to-dateforbothstudentsandstaff.Birminghamwelcomesstudentswhoarekeentobechallengedanddeveloporiginalthinking.Westimulatenaturalcuriosityandenableoriginalideastoflourishthroughdialoguebetweendifferentdisciplines.
Sport and the ArtsSportandtheArtsarecentraltolifeatBirmingham.BirminghamUniversityhasaverystrongreputationforsportingexcellence,beingrankedconsistentlyinthetopthreeUKUniversitiesforsport,andhasnurturedseveralrecentOlympicandinternationallyrenownedsportsmenandsportswomen.Evenifyoursportingprowessdoesnotextendtocompetingatthehighestlevels,UniversitySportBirminghambringstogethersomeofthehighestqualityindoorandoutdoorsportingfacilitiesinthecountry,includingaswimmingpool,gym,sportshalls,athleticstrack,floodlitastroturfpitchesandmuchmore.Withprofessionalcoachingandimaginativefitnessandsportsprogrammes,weoffersportingopportunitiestosuitalltastesandabilities.TheUniversityhasitsownartgallery,calledtheBarberInstituteofFineArts.Admissionisfreeanditboastsworksbysomeofthegreatestartistsfromacrosstheglobe.MusicisalsoadistinctivepartofBirminghamlife.TheUniversityhastwosymphonyorchestras,aBigBand,anumberofchoirs,asymphonicwindband,aJazzorchestraandabrassensemble.Publicperformancesareregularlystagedbothoncampus,intheconcerthallattheBarberInstitute,andfurtherafieldincludingSymphony
HallinBirmingham.TheUniversityhasrecentlycompletedtherenovationofitscentral,crescent-shapedAstonWebbbuilding,withitsnew450-seatBramallConcertHall.
Student LivingThestudentvillagesofferarangeofaccommodation,whereyoucanchoosefromsingle-studybedroomswithsharedfacilities,orhaveyourownen-suitebathroom.Ifyouprefertocookforyourself,youcanoptforaself-cateredflatwithacommunallivingroomandkitchen.Alternatively,youcanchoosethemeal-plan,whereyourmealsareprovided.Aroundaten-minutewalkfromthemaincampus,themainhallsofresidencesiteistheValeVillage,wheretheresidencesarelocatedinlandscapedparklandoverlookingalake.TheVillageprovidesasafeandsecureenvironmentandafocusforstudentlife,aswellasalltheamenitiesthatyouwillneed,includinglaunderettes,shops,cafesandunlimitedinternetaccessinallrooms.
The Guild of StudentsThehubofundergraduatestudentlifeistheGuildofStudents,Birmingham’sstudents’union.TheGuildwasoneofthefirststudents’unionsinthecountryanditsmissionisto‘enhancethestudentexperience’.Morethan160studentgroupsandsocietiesaresupportedbytheGuildofStudents,coveringallareasofinterestfromMangatoMotorRacing,guaranteeingapackedcalendarofsocialeventstoenhanceyourstudentexperience.Youcanalsogetinvolvedinourstudentradiostation,BURNFM,orthestudentnewspaperRedbrick.
17Centre for Nuclear Education and Research
Birmingham - the city
‘CometostudyatBirminghamandenjoylivinginoneofEurope’smostexcitingcities.Birminghamischangingfast.Amassiveregenerationschemeoverthepasttwentyyearshasreinventedthecityandthisrenaissanceissettocontinue.’
Overfortypercentofourgraduateschoosetostayintheregionfollowinggraduation,andforgoodreasons.Birminghamisathriving,moderncommercialcentreandhometooneofthelargestfinancialdistrictsoutsideLondon,offeringBirminghamGraduatesgreatopportunities.BirminghamhasalsobeendesignatedasoneofsixScienceCitiesintheUK,recognisingitsindustrialheritageandimportanceinthefurtherdevelopmentoftheUKsciencebase.
MajorattractionsofBirminghamareitsculture,cuisineandentertainment,theretailexperienceitoffers,anditslocationattheheartofthesomeoftheUK’smostbeautifulcountryside.
Entertainment, Arts and CultureThereisalwayssomethinggoingoninBirmingham.Inadditiontoachoiceofcafes,restaurantsandvenues,bringingflavoursfromacrosstheglobe,therearetheatres,museums,cinemas,nightclubsandbarsinabundance.Ifyoulikeliveentertainment,thentakeyourpickfromcomedyclubs,localmusicgigsandtopshowsatBirmingham’sprincipaltheatres.NearthecitycentrearetheInternationalConference
CentreandtheNationalIndoorArena,wheremanyinternationalsportingeventstakeplace,suchastheWorldIndoorAthleticsandAll-EnglandBadmintonChampionships.BirminghamalsoplayedhosttotheU.S.AthleticsTeam,whiletheywerepreparingforthe2012LondonOlympics.SymphonyHall,homeoftheworld-renownedCityofBirminghamSymphonyOrchestra,providesamagnificentsettingforclassicalmusic,whiletheNationalExhibitionCentreisaprominentstopoffforstarnamesinrockandpop.StarCityisBirmingham’sbiggestcinemacomplexwith30screens,sixofwhicharedevotedtoBollywoodfilms,whilethehomeoftheRoyalShakespeareCompanyisjustanhourawayinStratford-upon-Avon.
CuisineBirminghamhasrecentlybeenplacedinthetop20visitordestinationsbytheNewYorkTimesforitscultureandcuisine.BoastingmoreMichelinStarrestaurantsthananywhereinBritainoutsideLondon,andoriginatingthefamousBaltidishes,itisnowondertheNewYorkTimesdubbedBirminghamtheUK’s‘foodiesttown’.
ShoppingIntheheartofthecity,BullringShoppingCentreisEurope’slargestcityretaildevelopmentandincludestheaward-winning,iconicSelfridgesbuilding.TheMailboxdevelopmenthousesawiderangeofhigh-enddesignerchains,includingHarveyNichols,andarangeofcanalsiderestaurants.Birminghamhostsfourmajormarkets,aswellasalltheprincipalchainstores.Thereisalsoawealthofsmallershopsandretailcentres,whereyoucanfindeverythingfromfreshherbsandspicesforauthenticinternationaldishestohand-craftedjewellerymadeinBirmingham’suniqueJewelleryQuarter,responsiblefor40%oftheUK’sjewelleryproduction.
The Heart of EnglandLocatedintheheartofthecountry,Birminghamhasmuchtooffervisitors.WithWarwickshire,theMalvernHillsandtheIronbridgeGorgeallnearby,youarenevermorethanashortdrivefromsomeoftheUK’smostsceniccountryside.BirminghamisatthecentreoftheUK’smotorwayandrailnetwork,andwithitsowninternationalairport,itiseasytogetalmostanywhereintheworldstartingfromhere.TheUniversityisservedbyitsowntrainstation,calledUniversity,givingeasyaccesswithinminutestothecitycentreanddestinationsbeyond.
18 Centre for Nuclear Education and Research
1043
8©
Uni
vers
ityo
fBirm
ingh
am2
015.
Prin
ted
ona
recy
cled
gra
dep
aper
con
tain
ing
100%
pos
t-co
nsum
erw
aste
.
College of Engineering and Physical SciencesEdgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
www.birmingham.ac.uk/nuclear
