Nuclear Technology – Radiation Protection Option, Reactor Operations Option

The Nuclear Technology program offers the student a unique opportunity to obtain state-of-the-art education that will put the graduate in demand by any organization or business that operates nuclear reactors or handles radioactive substances to include advanced manufacturing, life sciences, health care, research reactors, the nuclear power industry, hazardous waste removal companies, and government agencies.  Technicians with the educational background this program provides are in high demand now, and with the rising use of radiation in diagnostics, medical treatment and applications, and potential expansion of nuclear power technology, this demand will remain high for years to come.  Nuclear power is the largest non-carbon source of electricity in the United States providing 20% of the country’s power.  Job placement prospects are highly favorable and starting salaries reflect this high demand.

The Associate of Applied Science degree program is the only one of its kind in Missouri and one of only a handful in the nation.  It was developed cooperatively with the University of Missouri Research Reactor, the University of Missouri Nuclear Science and Engineering Institute, Ameren Missouri Callaway Energy Center, and Exelon Nuclear Corporation, all leaders in the nuclear industry. The Radiation Protection and Reactor Operations Options are accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE).

Enrollment in the Nuclear Technology program is limited and students are selected for this program on a competitive basis.  Contact the Office of Admissions for the specific application requirements and deadline.

The core curriculum is designed to follow training requirement guidelines established by the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program (NUCP) and supported by the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO), and many nuclear utility companies.  The curriculum is aligned with the objectives of the INPO National Academy for Nuclear Training (NANT) document and the ACAD 08-006 Uniform Curriculum Guide for Technician, Maintenance, and Nonlicensed Operations Personnel Associate Degree Programs.  The curriculum also provides students with the opportunity to become qualified in nuclear radiation protection industry Standardized Task Evaluations.

The program currently includes two degree options: Radiation Protection and Reactor Operations.  An internship at an approved company is included in the program.  Additionally, Radiation Protection Option students complete a second internship to meet the requirements of their Standard Task Evaluations.

It is a graduation requirement for students in the Nuclear Technology Radiation Protection Associate of Applied Science Degree Option to pass both the Junior Radiation Protection Technician Fundamentals Exam provided by the Electric Power Research Institute and the Department of Energy Radiological Control Technician's Core Exam with an 80% or higher on both exams.

To view program outcome data, visit https://statetechmo.edu/nuclear-technology-program-facts/.

Program Mission

The mission of the Nuclear Technology program is to provide students with the opportunity to develop the technical expertise, math and analytical skills as well as the interpersonal skills and human performance behaviors required to begin successful careers as nuclear operators or radiological protection technicians.

Program Goals
The goals of the program are to provide the opportunity for students to develop:

• The ability to communicate nuclear technology related concepts effectively in both oral and written formats.
• Skills required to appraise worksite conditions requiring radiological controls.
• Plans for minimizing personnel exposure to radiation.
• Electrical and mechanical equipment troubleshooting skills.
• Skills required to evaluate changing nuclear reactor plant conditions.
• Skills required to conduct nuclear work while employing human performance tools to minimize human error and adverse operational events.
• Skills required to inspect and test nuclear plant systems, structures and components.
• Knowledge and skills aligned with National Academy for Nuclear Training.

Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)

Classification of Instructional Programs - 41.0205

Core Curriculum

			Credit Hours
NUC	102	Nuclear Industry Fundamentals	2
PWR	110	Introduction to Electricity	4
PWR	120	Heat Transfer, Fluid Flow, and Thermodynamics	3
PWR	125	Plant Equipment and Systems	4
PWR	150	Operation, Troubleshooting, and Communications	2
PWR	155	Mechanical and Fluid Power Transmission	2
PWR	200	Internship	4
PHY	121	General Chemistry with Lab I	5
SUB-TOTAL			26

General Education Requirements

Refer to the General Education Requirements and General Education Courses in the College Catalog.

			Credit Hours
General Education Requirements			19
Must Include:
MAT	115	College Algebra	3
PHY	101	College Physics	4
PHY	102	College Physics Lab	0
May Not Include:
NST	101	Network Fundamentals	3
SUB-TOTAL			19

Program Requirements - Radiation Protection Option

			Credit Hours
NUC	115	Radiation Protection Fundamentals	3
NUC	116	Radiation Safety with Lab I	3
NUC	117	Radiation Safety with Lab II	4
NUC	248	Advanced Radiation Safety with Lab I	4
NUC	250	Advanced Radiation Safety with Lab II	4
NUC	291	Nuclear Internship II	3
MAT	119	Elementary Statistics	3
SUB-TOTAL			24

Program Requirements - Reactor Operations Option

			Credit Hours
NUC	112	Introduction to Radiation Safety	3
NUC	174	Reactor Plant Systems	3
NUC	197	Basic Reactor Safety, Theory, and Operations	4
NUC	270	Advanced Thermodynamics, Fluid Flow, and Reactor Theory	5
NUC	275	Nuclear Reactor Operation Fundamentals I	2
NUC	278	Reactor Plant Operations	4
NUC	279	Nuclear Reactor Operation Fundamentals II	3
PWR	160	Electrical Theory and Safety	4
PWR	220	Piping and Instrumentation Drawing	2
SUB-TOTAL			30

Graduation Requirements

			Credit Hours
COM	125	Job Search Strategies	1
It is a graduation requirement for students in the Nuclear Technology Radiation Protection Associate of Applied Science Degree Option to pass both the Junior Radiation Protection Technician Fundamentals Exam provided by the Electric Power Research Institute and the Department of Energy Radiological Control Technician's Core Exam with an 80% or higher on both exams.
SUB-TOTAL			1

PROGRAM TOTAL

70-76

Courses

NUC 102: Nuclear Industry Fundamentals

This course includes strategies essential for success in a nuclear industry work environment. Nuclear career skills such as study techniques, test taking, time management, and stress management are discussed. Topics such as nuclear safety culture, industry regulation, reliability and trustworthiness, deliberate misconduct, employee protection, completeness and accuracy of information, and human performance error prevention tools are discussed and applied. This course also provides students with the preparation and completion of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) nuclear industry aptitude exams as well as industry generic nuclear plant access and radiation worker training and exams. Students will be introduced to nuclear technician responsibilities and expectations.

Credit Hours: 2

NUC 112: Introduction to Radiation Safety

This course covers the radiation protection fundamentals as outlined in the Nuclear Industry Standard Process - Radiological Protection, NISP-RP-012. Standard task evaluations NISP-RP-02.01 through NISP-RP-02.10 are also covered.

Credit Hours: 3

NUC 115: Radiation Protection Fundamentals

This course covers radiation protection fundamentals as outlined in the Nuclear Industry Standard Process - Radiological Protection, NISP-RP-012, Training and Qualifications for Supplemental Radiation Protection Technicians. Students will also be prepared to take the Radiation Protection Fundamentals-One Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) exam.

Credit Hours: 3

NUC 116: Radiation Safety with Lab I

This course will focus on the objectives of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Standard Task Evaluations: RP-02.01 - Portable Radiation Survey Instruments, RP-02.02 - Performing Radiation and Contamination Surveys, and RP-02.03 - Collect and Evaluate Radiological Air Samples. Basic protective clothing will also be covered.

Requisite:
Prerequisite NUC 115 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 3

NUC 117: Radiation Safety with Lab II

This course will focus on the objectives of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Standard Task Evaluations RP-02.04 - Post Low Level Radiological Hazards, RP-02.05 - Control Access into High Radiation Areas and Locked High Radiation Areas, RP-02.06 - Monitor Personnel Contamination and Unconditional Release, RP-02.07 - Control Radioactive Material Within an Radiologically Controlled Area (RCA), RP-02.08 - Use and Control High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filtration and Vacuum Equipment, and RP-02.10 - Radiological Job Coverage. Basic protective clothing will also be covered.

Requisite:
Prerequisite NUC 115 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 4

NUC 174: Reactor Plant Systems

This course covers the purpose, operation, and flow paths of basic reactor systems including many of the systems in ACAD 90-016 Section 7.2.

Requisites:
Prerequisite PWR 125 minimum grade C
Corequisite NUC 197

Credit Hours: 3

NUC 197: Basic Reactor Safety, Theory, and Operations

Introduction to the fission process, reactivity, criticality, basic reactor kinetics, heat removal, reactor types, nuclear power plant chemistry, and elementary thermodynamics.

Requisite:
Prerequisite PWR 125 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 4

NUC 248: Advanced Radiation Safety with Lab I

This course covers practical applications and demonstrations of Common Industry Radiation Protection (CIRP) tasks that include post low level radiological hazards, controlling access to high radiation areas, monitoring for personnel contamination, controlling radioactive material within a radiological controlled area (RCA), controlling High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuums and ventilation equipment, and performing low risk radiological job coverage.

Requisites:
Prerequisite NUC 116 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUC 117 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 4

NUC 250: Advanced Radiation Safety with Lab II

This course covers analytical applications of radiation protection and health physics including senior level Common Industry Radiation Protection (CIRP) tasks such as laboratory analysis, instrument calibration, environmental monitoring, radiography, job coverage with medium or high radiological risk, and shipment of radioactive materials.

Requisite:
Prerequisite NUC 248 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 4

NUC 270: Advanced Thermodynamics, Fluid Flow, and Reactor Theory

Topics include properties of steam/water, advanced heat transfer, thermodynamic cycles and efficiency, heat exchanges, fuel cell heat transfer, pump theory and laws, cavitation, and erosion of piping components. Advanced reactor kinetics, heat removal, nuclear power plant chemistry, reactivity calculations, reactor plant materials, reactor sensors, and radiation detectors are also covered.

Requisites:
Prerequisite NUC 174 minimum grade C
Prerequisite NUC 197 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite PWR 120 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 5

NUC 275: Nuclear Reactor Operation Fundamentals I

This course covers the operation of the following plant components as they are applied to integrated nuclear plant operations: valves, sensors and detectors, controllers and positioners, pumps, motors and generators, heat exchangers, condensers, demineralizers, ion exchangers, breakers, relays, and disconnects. This course also includes applied topics in nuclear reactor kinetics including neutrons, neutron sources, and neutron life cycle.

Requisites:
Prerequisite NUC 174 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUC 197 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 2

NUC 278: Reactor Plant Operations

This course covers reactor plant safety design and operation. Basic reactor startup, shutdown, and emergency procedures and why those procedures are written are also covered. Review of past reactor accidents and events. Includes practical laboratory that prepares the student to fulfill the role of Nuclear Equipment Operator. Laboratory will cover practical operating procedures in valve operation, breaker operation, placing equipment on and off of service, lubrication, pump operation, air compressors, diesel engines, and other equipment.

Requisites:
Prerequisite NUC 270 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUC 275 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 4

NUC 279: Nuclear Reactor Operation Fundamentals II

This course covers the following topics as they are applied to integrated nuclear plant operations and thermodynamic responses in nuclear plant systems: thermodynamic units and properties, steam tables, Mollier diagrams, steam systems, thermodynamic processes and cycles, fluid statics and dynamics, heat transfer and heat exchangers, thermal hydraulics, reactor core thermal limits, brittle fracture, and vessel thermal stress. This course also includes applied topics in nuclear reactor reactivity control including reactivity coefficients, control rods, fission product poisons, fuel depletion, burnable poisons, and reactor operational physics.

Requisites:
Prerequisite NUC 270 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUC 275 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 3

NUC 291: Nuclear Internship II

The student will serve an internship with a nuclear power plant to gain experience as a junior radiation protection technician. The student is expected to apply learned skills and training to be a productive employee. The employer is expected to place the student in an environment that will build on the student's knowledge and enhance the student's knowledge of working in the nuclear industry.

Credit Hours: 3

PWR 110: Introduction to Electricity

This course introduces and develops the concepts necessary for understanding the use of electrical components and circuitry. Technical math including scientific notation, significant figures, unit conversions, beginning algebra and basic trigonometry will be introduced and developed throughout the course. The first half of the semester is devoted to DC, the second to AC.

Credit Hours: 4

PWR 120: Heat Transfer, Fluid Flow, and Thermodynamics

This course includes the study of heat transfer, fluid flow, energy conservation, and specific equipment design considerations based on thermodynamic principles.

Credit Hours: 3

PWR 125: Plant Equipment and Systems

Introduction to basic mechanical and electrical components used by power plants such as different types of piping, valves, pumps, ejectors, filters, turbines, heat exchangers, compressors, lubrication systems, valve actuators, breakers, transformers, relays, and other equipment. Basic heat transfer, fluid flow, and plant materials theories are included in the course.

Credit Hours: 4

PWR 150: Operation, Troubleshooting, and Communications

This course teaches students how to incorporate power generation fundamental and conditional communication and troubleshooting skills into their behavior. Dynamic learning activities and simulated scenarios for each human performance tool or behavior will be utilized to develop the necessary skills to prevent unsafe conditions and adverse operational events in the workplace.

Credit Hours: 2

PWR 155: Mechanical and Fluid Power Transmission

This course teaches mechanical power transmission topics such as brakes, clutches, gears, couplings, shafts, chains and sprockets, cams, and bearings. Hydraulic topics covered include liquid properties, cylinders, motors, pumps, valves, and math for proper sizing of components. Pneumatic topics covered include physical principles, cylinders, motors, compressors, and control valves.

Credit Hours: 2

PWR 160: Electrical Theory and Safety

This course teaches key concepts in electrical theory. These concepts are developed and applied to AC/DC motors, switchgears, transformers, chargers, and inverters. Electrical drawings and schematics fundamentals are covered. This course teaches the hazards associated with industrial electricity, electric power generation, safety rules, and safe work practices. Human performance tools and their uses to promote event-free operation are also discussed and utilized in detail.

Requisite:
Prerequisite PWR 110 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 4

PWR 200: Internship

The student will serve an internship of approximately 320 hours in a power generation related position. The student is expected to apply learned skills and education to be a productive employee. The employer is expected to place the student in an environment that will build on the student's first year of study and enhance the student's knowledge of working in the power generation industry.

Credit Hours: 4

PWR 220: Piping and Instrumentation Drawing

Types of piping and instrumentation components, their construction and their schematics; reading of piping and electrical drawings; and lockout/tagout procedures applicable to the power generation industry.

Requisites:
Prerequisite PWR 110 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite PWR 125 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 2