Unit information: Nuclear Materials Behaviour in 2021/22

Unit name	Nuclear Materials Behaviour
Unit code	MENGM0015
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Larrosa
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

This unit covers the metallurgy and engineering structure-property relationships of reactor materials, focussing on structural and mechanical properties, and key life-limiting degradation mechanisms, such as creep-fatigue, corrosion, and radiation damage within reactor environments (e.g. PWR, AGR). Consequences on nuclear decommissioning will also be discussed.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

1. List the material requirements for different components of a nuclear power plant.
2. Contrast the metallurgy of different nuclear reactor materials.
3. Explain the structure-property relationships of nuclear reactor materials.
4. Identify material degradation mechanisms within reactor environments.
5. Appraise the behaviour of new reactor materials.
6. Propose appropriate nuclear decommissioning strategies for different components.

Teaching Information

The unit will be delivered through materials including videos and narrated lectures which will be made available to students online. 

Assessment Information

The unit will be assessed using a single examination. Feedback will be provided to students during the year. 

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MENGM0015).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.