Nuclear systems have many beneficial uses, ranging from medical imaging and cancer treatment to environmental monitoring – but the benefits these systems offer come with risks. For some nuclear systems, these risks – if not managed effectively – can have far-reaching and enduring impacts on society and the environment. This course will introduce a wide range of nuclear technologies being used in industry, medical and defence settings today. Students will develop expertise in some of the foundational nuclear physics and engineering knowledge required to design, operate, maintain and decommission such systems. Students will also learn how to consider nuclear systems using techniques from systems theory to identify potential risks stemming from technological, sociocultural, regulatory, and environmental factors shaping -- and being shaped by -- nuclear systems, and will learn how to integrate this view into engineering- and science-informed professional practice via individual and group assessments. Nuclear reactors will be heavily emphasized in the curriculum because of their significant risk profile, but the principles and practices introduced in the course will be applicable for engineering practices applicable to a broad range of nuclear systems.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Apply systems science techniques and fundamental nuclear science and engineering knowledge to the nuclear systems life cycle to identify safety, security, and responsibility considerations stemming from technological, sociocultural, regulatory, environmental, or economic factors shaping such systems;
2. Evaluate near- or long-term risks and benefits arising from the operation, maintenance and decommissioning of nuclear systems;
3. Design simple models of nuclear systems through the application of fundamental nuclear science and engineering principles;
4. Assess current and upcoming nuclear systems and identify context-dependent safety, security and safeguards considerations (near and long-term) that may arise from their design; 
5. Construct approaches for achieving ‘safety-by-design’ in nuclear systems; and
6. Critically review individual professional responsibilities inherent in working with nuclear systems and their potential to influence on safe and responsible design, operations, maintenance, and decommissioning.

Research-Led Teaching

Some of the material presented in this course draws on the convenor's research on nuclear systems.

Field Trips

N/A

Additional Course Costs

N/A

Examination Material or equipment

N/A

Required Resources

All required resources will be accessible via Wattle or the ANU library, or provided in class.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use. For this course, we recommend more RAM (8 MB) and a second monitor, where feasible.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Use of Artificial Intelligence-enabled tools

Please remember that artificial intelligence -- despite the name -- is not truly intelligent. We recommend using such tools with caution, care, and a very clear understanding of any privacy policies associated with their use. 

In this course, you are permitted to use generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude.ai) for your assessments unless their use is specifically prohibited in the description of the assessment on Wattle. In cases where the use of such tools is allowed, you must:

• Read through by the appropriate guidelines for citation and use on the ANU library website (https://libguides.anu.edu.au/generative-ai).
• Acknowledge and clearly explain how you have used any of these tools in your submitted work.
• Describe how you validated any information or code generated by the AI tool.

There is a form on Wattle to help you comply with this policy. If you have any questions about this policy or are unsure whether your use of a tool is appropriate, please discuss the matter with the course convenor.

Use of software libraries and code written by third parties

Writing code is not the focus of this course, but may be useful in some instances. Therefore, please be aware that software libraries and other people’s code can also be used under the following conditions:

• License conditions allow re-use. If there is no license, assume you cannot use it.
• You comply with the license conditions.
• You make it clear in your assessments where you are using code someone else wrote.
• You explain how you tested the code or library for your use case. 
• GitHub provides a good overview of different types of software licensing here: https://github.com/readme/guides/open-source-licensing

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lectorial: Course introduction; Group work exploring the complexity of nuclear systems (drawing on nuclear accidents)Lecture video: Introduction to nuclear systems
2	Lecture video: Nuclear properties and structureLectorial: System design project introduction; Tutorial on nuclear properties and structureLab: Safety principles; An introduction to radiation detection and measurement	Lab report 1 due; System design project surveys due (for group assignments)
3	Lecture video: Nuclear structure and radioactive decayLectorial: Guest lecture; Tutorial on radioactive decay calculations	Assignment 1 due
4	Lecture video: Nuclear reactorsLectorial: System design project check-in; Nuclear reactors: A systems view
5	Lecture video & Lectorial: Nuclear reactionsLab: How radiation interacts with matter; radiation shielding	Lab report 2 due
6	Lecture video & Lectorial: Neutron cycle, neutron moderation, and reactor control	Assignment 2 due
7	Lecture video & Lectorial: One-group reactor equation	System design project deliverable 1 due; System design peer feedback survey due
8	Lecture video: Beyond the one-group reactor equationLectorial: System design project check-in; Beyond the one-group reactor equation
9	Lecture videos: Reactor chemistry, breeding, and poisonsLectorial: System design project check-in; Reactor chemistry, breeding, and poisonsLab / Simulation: Reactor control; Guest lecture on reactor materials	Lab report 3 due; Assignment 3 due
10	Lecture videos: Safeguards, non-proliferation, and social licenseLectorial: Guest lecture [to be confirmed] on safeguards and non-proliferation; tutorial on 3S considerations and their interactions
11	Lecture video / lectorial: Law and regulation relevant to nuclear systems, and its intersection with an engineer's work
12	Lecture video: Epistemic cultures and nuclear communication Lectorial: Risk communications - peer feedback sessionLab / Simulation: Non-destructive measurements of nuclear materials	Lab report 4 due; Assignment 4 due

Tutorial Registration

Tutorial sessions are built into the in-class lectures on Mondays and do not require registration. Beyond this, attend the drop-in session Tuesdays 13:00 - 14:30 during teaching weeks if you have questions, would like some guidance on assessments, or have any concerns you would like to share with the course convenor. The location for these sessions can be found on the course Wattle page.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Assignments	40 %	1,2,3,4,5
Lab / simulation report	20 %	1,2,4,5,6
System design project	40 %	1,2,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation in the lab sessions and as individuals working on your group design project are both indirectly assessed through the lab reports and design project deliverables in the sense that you will have a hard time completing these assessments if you do not attend the lab / simulation activities or engage meaningfully with your project group. If you cannot attend a lab due to extenuating circumstances, please reach out to the convenor as early as possible to arrange an alternative time to complete the work.

Participation in the lectorials is not marked but is strongly encouraged; all these sessions include discussions and interactive components designed to help you complete your assignments and engage with the course material.

Examination(s)

There are no examinations in this course.

Assessment Task 1

Assignments

There are 4 assignments over the course of the semester and each one is worth 10% of your mark. These will be due Friday 5 pm in weeks 3,6,9, and 12; you will receive feedback two weeks following submission. In each assignment, you will be asked to complete a series of problems designed to help you learn the content covered in the lectures (roughly equivalent to 750 words). Marks for late submissions will be adjusted in accordance with the ANU Procedure: Student assessment (coursework). Rubrics for all assessments will be provided on the course Wattle page.

Assessment Task 2

Lab / simulation report

There are four lab/simulation reports over the course of the semester, each of which is 5% of your mark. These will be due in weeks 2, 5, 9, and 12 on Friday by 5 pm. You will receive feedback within two weeks following submission. These consist of pre-lab work to support your in-lab learning, which must be checked off at the start of lab, and a short reflective practice response - roughly equivalent to 250 words. You will also be asked to attach a copy of any notes you took or completed worksheets in support of your work during the session, to show you completed the assigned tasks. Marks for late submissions will be adjusted in accordance with the ANU Procedure: Student assessment (coursework). Rubrics for all assessments will be provided on the course Wattle page.

Assessment Task 3

System design project

This is a group assessment (maximum group size: 4 students) to be conducted over the course of the semester. The assessment consists of two deliverables and is worth 40% of your course grade, of which 30% is a group component and 10% is an individual component. This will be due at the start of the semester exam period (29 May, 11:59 pm), and you will receive feedback by the end of the Semester 1 exam period.

Deliverable 1 is a short video (<10 minutes) in which the proposed scope of your system design project is presented for client feedback.

Deliverable 2 is a written report based on the scope (and any feedback received) from deliverable 1. The report can be no more than 6000 words, not including references.

Details on the report brief, deliverables, expectations, format, and rubrics will be made available on the ENGN4549 Wattle page. Marks for late submissions will be adjusted in accordance with the ANU Procedure: Student assessment (coursework).

Note that feedback on your performance and that of your peers will be sought on Fridays in week 7 and on 29 May via Wattle; these will be used to inform your individual assessment. Failing to submit this feedback on time without documented reasonable cause (e.g. medical certificate, advanced permission for late submission) will result in a 1% penalty on your overall mark in the course (corresponding to getting a score of only 9/10 for stellar performance as a team member in this project). You will receive (anonymised) feedback on your performance as a team member from the instructor within 1 week following the first peer submission, and clear attempts to improve your performance as a member of the team will be rewarded. Rubrics for this assessment will be provided on the course Wattle page.

Finally, the convenor reserves the right to turn this assessment into an individual assignment if concerns about a student's contributions to the group are repeatedly raised and an alternative solution cannot be found. In this instance the deliverables will be scaled appropriately, such that the workload is equivalent to that of the group project.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Any assignments and feedback will be returned via Wattle.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

No assessments can be resubmitted in this course.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students