Nuclear Training Course

Lesson 1 • Atomic Structure and Nuclear Physics

Covers protons, neutrons, electrons, and nuclear binding energy. Establishes the physical basis for understanding radioactive decay and fission.

Lesson 2 • Radioactive Decay Fundamentals

Explains alpha, beta, and gamma decay modes and half-life calculations. Connects decay physics to radiation protection and source characterisation.

Lesson 3 • Nuclear Reactions and Energy Release

Introduces fission, fusion, and neutron interactions as energy-producing reactions. Provides the physical basis for reactor design concepts introduced later.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Radiation Detection

Explains ionisation, scintillation, and semiconductor detection mechanisms. Grounds instrument selection decisions in detector physics.

Lesson 2 • Radiation Measurement Techniques

Applies detection principles to dose rate surveys, smear sampling, and air monitoring. Builds practical field measurement skills used throughout the programme.

Lesson 3 • Spectroscopy and Nuclide Identification

Introduces gamma spectroscopy for identifying radionuclides in mixed fields. Supports source characterisation tasks in decommissioning and waste management.

Lesson 4 • Instrument Calibration and Quality Assurance

Establishes calibration procedures, source traceability, and performance checks. Ensures measurement reliability required for regulatory compliance.

Lesson 1 • Internal Dose Assessment

Covers inhalation, ingestion, and wound uptake pathways and bioassay methods. Completes the dose assessment picture by addressing internal contamination risks.

Lesson 2 • Occupational Dose Limits and Monitoring

Establishes regulatory dose limits for workers, declared pregnant workers, and the public. Students interpret dosimetry records and identify overexposure conditions.

Lesson 3 • Dose Quantities and Units

Defines absorbed dose, equivalent dose, and effective dose with their respective units. Enables correct interpretation of dose records and regulatory limits.

Lesson 4 • Biological Effects of Radiation

Covers deterministic and stochastic effects, dose-response models, and radiosensitive tissues. Provides the health basis for all dose limit and ALARA requirements.

Lesson 1 • Reactor Coolant and Moderator Systems

Covers the roles of coolant and moderator in heat removal and neutron thermalisation. Supports understanding of thermal-hydraulic behaviour in normal and transient conditions.

Lesson 2 • Neutron Lifecycle and Criticality

Traces the neutron lifecycle from fission to absorption and leakage. Establishes the concept of criticality as the foundation for reactor control.

Lesson 3 • Reactor Control Systems

Explains control rods, chemical shim, and burnable poisons as reactivity control mechanisms. Connects control system design to safe power manoeuvring procedures.

Lesson 4 • Major Reactor Types and Designs

Surveys pressurised water, boiling water, CANDU, and gas-cooled reactor designs. Enables comparison of safety features and operational characteristics across reactor types.

Lesson 1 • Event Investigation and Root Cause Analysis

Introduces apparent cause evaluation, root cause analysis, and corrective action programmes. Closes the learning loop by converting events into systemic improvements.

Lesson 2 • Human Error Theory and Prevention

Covers error types, error precursors, and the Swiss cheese model of accident causation. Provides the theoretical basis for selecting appropriate error-prevention tools.

Lesson 3 • Human Performance Tools

Applies pre-job briefings, self-checking (STAR), peer checking, and three-way communication. Translates error-prevention theory into daily operational behaviours.

Lesson 4 • Safety-Conscious Work Environment

Addresses chilling effect prevention, employee concerns programmes, and non-retaliation policies. Ensures workers feel empowered to raise safety issues without fear.

Lesson 1 • Configuration Management and Technical Specifications

Explains technical specification limits, surveillance requirements, and configuration control. Ensures operators maintain plant within its analysed and licensed operating envelope.

Lesson 2 • Maintenance and Outage Management

Covers work order systems, tagout/lockout, and outage planning fundamentals. Connects maintenance activities to radiation protection and operational risk control.

Lesson 3 • Plant Startup and Shutdown Operations

Covers pre-startup checks, criticality approach, and controlled shutdown sequences. Builds the procedural knowledge needed for safe power-level transitions.

Lesson 4 • Normal Power Operations and Monitoring

Addresses steady-state parameter monitoring, log-keeping, and shift turnover. Develops the situational awareness skills essential for continuous safe operation.

Lesson 1 • Emergency Response Organisation

Describes the emergency response organisation structure, roles, and activation procedures. Ensures every team member understands their responsibilities during an emergency.

Lesson 2 • Emergency Classification System

Defines notification of unusual event, alert, site area emergency, and general emergency classes. Enables rapid, accurate classification of abnormal plant conditions.

Lesson 3 • Emergency Drills and Exercise Programmes

Establishes drill objectives, scenario design, controller/evaluator roles, and after-action review. Validates emergency plan effectiveness and identifies corrective actions.

Lesson 4 • Protective Action Decision-Making

Covers evacuation, shelter-in-place, potassium iodide distribution, and ingestion pathway controls. Connects dose projection data to timely protective action recommendations.

Lesson 1 • Radioactive Waste Disposal Pathways

Surveys near-surface disposal, deep geological repositories, and interim storage options. Connects waste classification to appropriate, compliant disposal pathways.

Lesson 2 • Decommissioning Strategies and Planning

Compares immediate dismantlement, safe enclosure, and entombment decommissioning strategies. Introduces radiological characterisation and site release criteria for decommissioning projects.

Lesson 3 • Waste Treatment and Conditioning

Addresses evaporation, ion exchange, cementation, and vitrification as treatment processes. Prepares waste for safe, stable long-term storage or disposal.

Lesson 4 • Radioactive Waste Classification

Defines low-level, intermediate-level, and high-level waste categories by activity and heat. Establishes the classification basis for all subsequent treatment and disposal decisions.