FYS4580 – Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

How is fission of heavy atomic nuclei used to produce energy?

In this course, you will receive a thorough introduction to the physics of nuclear reactors. We discuss the fission chain reaction and nuclear criticality, different reactor types and safety, and use what you have learned to simulate a reactor core. This course provides you with the knowledge to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power.

Learning outcome

After completing the course, you:

  • have basic knowledge of different nuclear reactions that are relevant for reactor physics such as fission and neutron capture
  • have knowledge of different reactor technologies, the nuclear fuel cycle and phenomena that occur in a reactor
  • can simulate a reactor core using Monte Carlo simulation tools and interpret the results.
  • can assess advantages and disadvantages of different reactor types and technology, for example in terms of reactor safety.
  • can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy.

Admission to the course

Students admitted at UiO must?apply for courses?in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may?apply to take this course as a single course student.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

Overlapping courses

Teaching

The teaching consists of?4 hours of lectures and 2 hours of group teaching per week.

Throughout the semester, the students work with a project assignment where the goal is to simulate a reactor core.

The project assignment and the oral presentation of it must be approved before you can take?the final exam.?

Examination

  • Final oral exam which counts?100 % towards?the final grade.

This course has mandatory exercises?that must be approved before you can sit the final?exam.

It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course if you sit the exam for the following courses: FYS3580 – Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics and FYS9580 – Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics (discontinued)

Examination support material

No examination support material is allowed.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a?postponed exam?at the beginning of the next semester.

New examinations?are offered at the beginning of the next semester for students who do not successfully complete the exam during the previous semester.

We do not offer a re-scheduled exam for students who withdraw during the exam.

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Common Student System) Apr. 26, 2025 3:03:36 PM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
10
Teaching
Autumn

If the course is offered, a minimum of four students is required for ordinary lectures to take place. If less than four students participate, an exam will be given, but one should not expect ordinary teaching.

Examination
Autumn
Teaching language
English