Unit information: Nuclear Reactor Physics in 2022/23

Unit name	Nuclear Reactor Physics
Unit code	PHYSM0024
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Springell
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	Normally PHYS22040 Nuclear and Particle Physics or equivalent.
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one
School/department	School of Physics
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Unit Information

The course will include a description of the basic fundamentals of nuclear reactor physics, focussed on the various commercial fission reactors, but also featuring an introduction to nuclear fusion.

The students will gain an understanding of thermal, reflected and fast reactor types, as well as concepts such as neutron current, flux, diffusion and moderation. Reactor kinetics will be discussed with particular attention on criticality, both prompt and delayed. This course will also provide students with an introduction to thermal hydraulics.

Your learning on this unit

Students will be able to:

1. Describe the principal operation of nuclear reactors relevant to power generation,
2. Discuss the factors affecting neutron flux and the process of neutron moderation, including an understanding of the diffusion equation.
3. Describe the concept of criticality in terms of point-kinetics for simple reactor geometries,
4. Explain reactor feedback mechanisms, both positive and negative, including phenomena such as Xenon poisoning
5. Understand the basic heat transfer and important fluid flows in various nuclear reactors.

How you will learn

The unit will be taught through a combination of

• asynchronous online materials, including narrated presentations and worked examples
• synchronous group problems classes, workshops, tutorials and/or office hours
• asynchronous directed individual formative exercises and other exercises
• guided, structured reading

Material will be delivered by both University of Bristol staff and current reactor physicists and engineers

How you will be assessed

Formative assessment through online quizzes and problems classes

Summative Assessment :2-hour written exam (100%)

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. PHYSM0024).

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.