Nuclear Engineering – (M.Sc.)

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.