Computer Assisted Learning for Reactor Physics Education and Training of Nuclear Plant Designers, Operators and Maintainers

This paper discusses the variety of teaching methods employed by the Nuclear Department in the education and training of nuclear practioners in support of the United Kingdom’s Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programme (NNPP). Reactor physics is required to be taught at a variety of levels from introductory principles to postgraduate, a variety of teaching methods are employed to satisfy this requirement. This paper will introduce all of these teaching methods but will focus on the use of computer-assisted learning. The three main computational tools Core XYZ, M32 and industry standards (WIMS, MONK and MCNP) will be described and examples of their application given. Some sample results and applications of industry standard codes from both the taught and dissertation phase of the Departments MSc. Nuclear Technology and Safety Management will be provided.