Program Overview

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Course Overview

The course SH2600 Nuclear Reactor Physics is a major course worth 9.0 credits. It is a compulsory course for the Master Program in Nuclear Energy Engineering, focusing on theory and applications.

Information per Course Offering

The course offers different start dates, including Autumn 2025 and Autumn 2026. For the Autumn 2026 start, the course details are as follows:

Course Location and Duration

• Course location: AlbaNova
• Duration: 24 August 2026 - 11 January 2027
• Periods: Autumn 2026: P1 (4 hp), P2 (5 hp)
• Pace of study: 33%
• Application code: 51445
• Form of study: Normal Daytime
• Language of instruction: English

Target Group and Programme

• Target group: Mandatory for TNEEM year 1
• Part of programme: Master's Programme, Energy Innovation, year 1, NUEY, Mandatory; Master's Programme, Nuclear Energy Engineering, year 1, Mandatory

Course Syllabus

The course syllabus for SH2600 (Autumn 2025) provides detailed information about the course content and learning outcomes.

Content and Learning Outcomes

The course covers topics in reactor physics, including:

• Fundamentals of nuclear physics relevant to nuclear engineering
• Interaction of radiation with matter
• Neutron thermalisation
• Nuclear fission and chain reaction
• Nuclear fuel
• Types of nuclear reactors
• Neutron diffusion equation
• Reactor theory
• Reactor kinetics
• Reactor dynamics

After completing the course, students should be able to:

• Describe the interaction of neutrons with matter
• Derive and solve the equations of radioactive decay
• Explain the mechanism of the nuclear fission chain reaction
• Describe and evaluate neutron slowing-down processes
• Derive and solve equations for neutron diffusion in fissile media
• Explain temperature feedbacks
• Describe the kinetic and dynamic behaviour of a nuclear reactor
• Explain the basic principles of reactor stability
• Describe the main types of nuclear reactors and nuclear fuels

Literature and Preparations

Specific Prerequisites

The course requires Bachelor-level knowledge of mathematics and physics from an engineering Bachelor programme. Fundamentals of basic nuclear physics and quantum mechanics are desirable but not formally required. English proficiency at the B/6 level is also required.

Literature

Information about course literature can be found in the course memo for the course offering or in the course room in Canvas.

Examination and Completion

Grading Scale

The grading scale for the course is A, B, C, D, E, FX, F.

Examination

The course examination consists of:

• TENA - Examination, 5.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• LABA - Laboratory Work, 4.0 credits, grading scale: P, F

The examiner may adapt the examination format for students with documented disabilities and may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students. If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Ethical Approach

All members of a group are responsible for the group's work. In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further Information

Course Room in Canvas

Registered students can find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas.

Offered by

The course is offered by SCI/Undergraduate Physics.

Main Field of Study

The main field of study for this course is Physics, Engineering Physics.

Education Cycle

The education cycle for this course is the second cycle.