Nuclear Reactor Design, Operations, and Safety Engineering

Nuclear power plant engineering requires a delicate balance of physical principles, material constraints, and rigorous safety protocols. This text-based course provides a comprehensive introduction to how reactor physics, thermal-hydraulic design, and safety systems work together in modern nuclear facilities. You will begin with foundational terminology, learning how core neutronics, materials science, and thermodynamic principles govern everyday operations. What you'll learn: Understand core reactor physics, including fuel depletion, fission-product poisoning, and reactivity feedback loops; Analyze thermal-hydraulic design principles and the material limits of reactor components; Evaluate modern safety frameworks, including the defense-in-depth philosophy and General Design Criteria; Apply probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) methodologies to analyze potential accident scenarios; Navigate the evolution of risk-informed regulations and modern safety compliance. The course guides you systematically from basic physical concepts through thermal design and material selection, concluding with advanced safety analysis and risk-informed regulatory frameworks. This course is designed for engineering students, power plant technicians, and professionals transitioning into the nuclear sector, requiring no prior background in nuclear engineering. Start reading today to master the engineering and safety principles that power the nuclear industry.