Nuclear Engineering

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Worldwide demand for electricity is quickly growing. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA, World Energy Outlook 2010) the demand for electricity will increase, on average, by 2.2% annually until 2035. In a scenario of energy policies aimed at increasing energy security and reducing CO2 emissions, a significant part of the new power generation capacity installed worldwide will correspond to renewable energy technologies and nuclear power plants.

There are no plans to build new plants in Spain in the short term, but they will be necessary in the mid-term, and it must be taken into account that it takes several years from the start of construction to the commissioning of the plant. France, Finland and Slovakia are building new nuclear plants and in Eastern Europe new nuclear programs are underway. In the USA, this year the construction of two new technology projects AP-1000 will start. In China, currently 27 plants are being built, in India 6. Finally, in South America, countries like Brazil or Argentina are considering new nuclear programs.

Globalization of the economy and the growing presence of European companies in a variety of projects have contributed considerably to the need for qualified personnel within the sector. This Master¿s programme aims to train qualified staff to fill the growing demand within the sector and society.

The programme focuses not only on training professionals to be highly prepared to reach positions of responsibility within the nuclear power sector, but also to train personnel to be able to do research and development or to work as teachers in this field.

Aims

* Achieve a deep understanding of the theoretical and practical fundamentals of nuclear engineering and the technology associated with power production via nuclear fission chain reactions.
* Have both a clear and broad vision of the energy transformation chain of nuclear fuel into its final useable form, from uranium mining to the management of used nuclear fuel.
* Learn the lifecycle of the different installations, from the initial construction to the decommissioning and dismantling of a nuclear facility.
* Have a profound understanding of regulation and nuclear safety.
* Develop a strategic view of the sector and the ability to comprehend problems and to make decisions.

This programme is divided into required subject areas (46.5 ECTS) that will provide students with the needed multidisciplinary training, elective subject areas (13.5 ECTS) which students can use to complement their training in different areas of interest, an obligatory internship (15 ECTS) at a company in the sector or in a research and development centre, and finally the creation of a Masters Final Project (15 ECTS), preferably in conjunction with an internship.

Programme

Fundamentals of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Protection (9 ECTS)
* Nuclear Physics
* Detection and measurement of radiation
* Fundamentals of Radiological Protection

Nuclear Power Plants (15 ECTS)
* Reactor Physics
* Thermal-hydraulics
* Systems and components
* Materials

Fuel Cycle and Environmental Impact (6 ECTS)
* The nuclear fuel cycle
* The environmental impact of nuclear installations

Regulations and Safety (6 ECTS)
Management of Nuclear Power Plants (10,5 ECTS)
* Design and Construction
* Operation of Nuclear Plants

Elective Block (135 ECTS)

Every year a series of elective courses will be offered and students should select 3 of them. Among others, the following courses will be offered:

Internship (15 ECTS)
Masters Final Project (15 ECTS)

This Master's course is aimed at people with university level studies in technical sciences in the following areas: * Engineering: Industrial Technologies, Materials, Power, Chemistry, Mechanics and Electricity * Other engineering and technical engineering fields. * Degrees: Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences.

Endesa Scholarship Programme

Endesa is offering 25 candidates the possibility to join the financial aid programme that it has created for this Masters course. This programme covers 60% of the total cost of enrolment (8,100 Euros).

How can I apply for this financial aid?

People who are interested should have previously completed the pre-enrolment for the masters course via the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunyas Masters programme application. Once accepted to the Masters programme, the interested parties will be able to apply for financial aid by attaching the following documentation:

* A letter of recommendation from university professors or professionals in the nuclear energy sector with whom candidates have had an academic or professional relationship.
* A statement of interest in which candidates express their motivation for taking this Masters course and how they would benefit from this financial aid.
* Document including the candidates financial situation (e.g. tax declaration).

Once all of the documentation has been assessed the candidates will have a personal interview to assess their personal competencies and level of interest in this Master's programme. Part of the interview will be done in English as it is an essential requirement. The interview will be done in person and take place at the Escola Tècnica Superior dEnginyeria Industrial de Barcelona ETSEIB-UPC.