University of Texas Nuclear Security Program: Academic Curriculum and Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory
Specific Program Information
Academic Curriculum and Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory The Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Program is composed into three main functions Undergraduate and graduate teaching curriculum Experimental research at the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory Computational research
Academic Curriculum Number of Students Typically 20 undergraduate students enrolled in Nuclear Engineering Technical option or Radiation Physics option (4-5 courses, research projects and one graduate course) About 40 graduate students- typically 50% split between MS and PhD degrees About 40% are distance learning students Some MS students from the LBJ School of Public Policy Degrees Offered BS in Mechanical Engineering or BS in Physics MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering with and emphasis in Nuclear and Radiation Engineering MS in Public Policy with emphasis in various nuclear issues
Research Opportunities Research Facilities Nuclear Engineering Teaching Lab TRIGA 1 MW reactor Neutron Activation Analysis Neutron Beam Ports Radiochemistry Health Physics Instrumentation Gamma Ray Spectroscopy Neutron Generator Computational Typical high-powered computer clusters Texas Advanced Computing Center
TRIGA Reactor Control Room Advanced TRIGA reactor core 1. PNT- Pneumatic Thermal NAA 2. Rotary specimen rack 3. 3L- Epithermal neutrons
Gamma-Ray Radiation Analysis Neutron Activation Analysis
Radiochemistry Neutron Generator
Core Undergraduate and Graduate Curriculum There is no specific course dedicated to nuclear security although many aspects of nuclear security are discussed and lectured upon. Courses include: Nuclear Security and Safety (Engineering) Nuclear Security and Non-Proliferation (Engineering) Nuclear Politics and Policies (Public Policy) Nuclear History, Strategy and Statecraft (Public Policy) Global Phase-out of Civilian Highly Enriched Uranium (Public Policy) Facets of nuclear security are also given in courses in Nuclear Environmental Protection, Health and Health Physics Laboratory, Nuclear Fuel Cycle
How UT-Austin Faculty and Staff Think About Nuclear Security
Student Employment Of prime importance is the placing of undergraduate and graduate students in nuclear positions The culture of health physics safety, information technology and cyber security, and nuclear security is of the utmost importance to graduate who enter the workforce either in nuclear power plants, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, national laboratories private industries contracted by the government or public policy positions. Extensive background checks are made for any applicant entering the nuclear workforce. Many of the students attend internships programs at national laboratories where they experience the various types of security training. Placing students in nuclear positions significantly enhances the reputation of the Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Program.
Student Employment Students who undergo research and training in the research reactor and those who obtain reactor licenses are well sought for positions by the national labs and industry. The training in all the security areas is an important part of their trustworthiness for the TRIGA reactor and for eventual employment. These attributes are important for the students to attain jobs at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, national laboratories, government laboratories and industry. Significant background checks are performed on potential employees in all nuclear related employment
MS and PhD Topics at the University of Texas A General Nuclear Smuggling Threat Scenario Analysis Platform- (PhD) Probabilistic Basis and Assessment Methodology for Effectiveness of Protecting Nuclear Materials- (PhD) Regional Cooperation on Nuclear Safeguards: An Evaluation of Existing and Proposed Regional Safeguards Regimes and a Proposal for Increased Cooperation in South America- (MS) Development of Logic for Nonproliferation Assessment Tool Software Package- (MS) Development of a Methodology for the Assessment of International Safeguards on the Commercial Nuclear Fuel Cycles of Argentina and Brazil- (MS) Development of a Probabilistic Network Model to Simulate the Smuggling of Nuclear Materials (MS) Methodology for Assessing the Proliferation Resistance of Accelerator Transmutation of Waste Technology Options (MS) A Game Theoretic Approach to Safeguards Selection and Optimization (PhD in progress)
Nuclear Security Coursework at UT-Austin
Teaching Methodologies in Coursework Classroom technologies include the usual power point presentations and reactor tours Within the Nuclear and Radiation Engineering experimental program concepts in basic security, health physics, accepting the culture of security and safety, and trustworthiness, is extremely important to the reputation of the laboratory. These concepts are introduced when the professor deem it to be appropriate on context of the lecture module Discussing the use plutonium source for research activities Discussing protection of transported material in Nuclear Fuel Cycle class Health physics protection during and after an experimental Radioprotection or Nuclear Chemistry class Materials and Control Accounting during a Nuclear Engineering Laboratory class
Teaching Methodologies in Coursework In many of the courses (Nuclear Environmental Protection, Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Nuclear Security and Nuclear Proliferation, Reactor Engineering and Operations, and Nuclear Power Systems) there is a lot of emphasis on the various historical aspects of non-proliferation and heath physics.
Teaching Methodologies at the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Lab Within the research reactor environment nuclear aspects are continually reinforced on one-to-one discussions with students and the faculty members and reactor staff, with frequent e-mail reminders, annual retraining sessions, and the annual student fall semester get together.
Engineering Course in Nuclear Safety and Security Probabilistic Risk Analysis: Foundations and Methods, by Tim Bedford and Roger Cooke, Cambridge University Press; Nuclear Nonproliferation: A Primer, Gary T. Gardner, Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1994 Special Projects Main objectives include Basic risk concepts and analysis Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) System models and analysis Uncertainty modeling, data, and data update with plant experience Human reliability Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation Topics Discussion with PRA engineers at the South Texas Nuclear Power Plant User of Nonproliferation Assessment Tool/ORIGEN University of Texas developed Graphical User Interface for quantifying proliferation resistance of nuclear fuel cycle facilities Student presentation on nonproliferation or nuclear security topic
Advanced Topics in Public Policy Course in Nuclear History, Strategy and Statecraft Chapters in various books- Journal Articles, videos, internet information, (some examples) Robert Jervis, The Meaning of the Nuclear Revolution: Statecraft and the Prospect of Armageddon, preface, pp. 1-106, 226-258 Nina Tannenwald Stigmatizing the Bomb: Origins of the Nuclear Taboo, International Security - Volume 29, Number 4, Spring 2005, pp. 5-49 Matthew Jones, After Hiroshima: The United States, Race, and Nuclear Weapons in Asia, 1945-1965, introduction, pp. 289-464 Video, Hans Blix, Chairman, Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission http://globalstrategy.columbia.edu/2010- lecture-series/ McGeorge Bundy, Danger and Survival: Choices about the Bomb in the First Fifty Years, pp. 3-129 Main objectives include The Origins of the Atomic Age Early Efforts at International Control and Disarmament Nuclear Weapons in Asia and Europe During the Cold War The Intellectual History of Nuclear Strategy The Influence of Nuclear Weapons on World Politics Deterrence and Strategy Nuclear Crises and Brinkmanship Nuclear Strategy Today Nuclear Proliferation and Nonproliferation Research Paper
Public Policy Course in Global Phase-out of Civilian Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) No course book; public policy journal articles; Policy Research Project- two semesters Includes international travel for students to visit nuclear facilities in Europe and Russia Main objectives include technical and political prospects and challenges of reducing worldwide non-weapons usage of highly enriched uranium (HEU) update and broaden the scope of past research to cover all remaining non-weapons usage of HEU. field interviews with officials involved in activities that still use HEU or have recently phased out HEU Potential research, incentives, and diplomatic initiatives that could facilitate further reduction of HEU commerce.
Nuclear Environmental Protection Health Physics Laboratory, and Nuclear Fuel Cycle These undergraduate/graduate courses have several aspects of nuclear security that are openly discussed but there are no specific modules
Nuclear Environmental Protection This course is both health physics and radioactive waste management Health physics Biological basis for radiation safety Radioactive waste management History of nuclear reactors, cold war and nuclear fuel cycle Security of radioactive waste transportation Need for spent nuclear fuel management in light of geopolitical considerations
Uranium Mining, Milling, Refining Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conversion Enrichment Ore Tailings Vitrified HLW Vitrification Yellowcake (U 3 O 8 ) High Level Waste (HLW) Reprocessing UF 6 (gas) Pu and (maybe) other actinides Enriched UO 2 Depleted Uranium Fuel Fabrication Fuel Assemblies Disposal Transportation Irradiated Fuel Onsite Cooling Storage Reactor e -
Introduction to Nuclear Power Systems ( An Example of Lack of Nuclear Security Concepts) This is a standard introduction nuclear engineering course two most popular books Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, Lamarsh and Baratta Fundamentals of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Shultis and Faw
Introduction to Nuclear Power Systems (An Example of Lack of Nuclear Security Concepts) Standard concepts from basics physics, interaction of radiation with matter, reactor theory, basic rector engineering, radiation protection shielding, safety, nuclear technology Challenges How to introduce nuclear security concepts or modules in an already very intense one semester course Change to a two semester course to include all the important aspects of nuclear security
Hands on Teaching of Nuclear Security
Nuclear Engineering Teaching Lab Implementation of security and health physics policies at the research reactor are based on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, University of Texas Environment, Health and Safety Office, and University of Texas Police Department regulations Recent NRC regulations for research reactors have upgraded security especially for entrance to the reactor control room and facilities inside the reactor IT, Cyber security and Export Control is mandated by the University of Texas
Nuclear Engineering Teaching Lab All students need to take 1-3 experimental courses and about 50% (~20) of the graduate students perform their research at the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Lab (NETL) or in the Nuclear Robotics Laboratory There is a very high degree of hands on experience for undergraduate and graduate students As well there are many undergraduate students, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Workshops, summer schools and visiting faculty members extensively use the NETL facilities (~50)
Nuclear Security Awareness All students and staff undergo general nuclear security and health physics training. All staff and students (~25) that have 24 hour a day laboratory access have site specific security training In addition staff and students that have reactor control room and experimental facilities in the reactor bay have additional security training requirements Lectures and retraining programs are given to all students and staff. Once every two years there is a full blown emergency drill with police and fire department units
Nuclear Security Awareness I. Purpose: Provide for facility protection, including security of materials, response to emergencies, and fire-safety programs II. Description: Physical security and emergency response are the responsibility of NETL staff through the documentation of the respective plans. Fire and other safety programs include coordination with university programs. III. References Physical Security Plan Emergency Plan IV. Procedure A. Physical Security B. Emergency Response C. Fire-Safety Protection
Health Physics Laboratory Discussion of keeping all hot gamma and neutron sources both locked up, signed out for and returned Importance of maintaining security of never leaving empty laboratory rooms unlocked No cameras allowed policy Making sure of proper individual dosimetry during laboratory experiments Hand and foot monitor procedures after experiments
Information Technology and Cyber Security Computers and laptops should be password protected and encrypted Sensitive information about nuclear security procedures need to be protected Export control of software and sensitive information regulations need to be in place Training on information technology needs to be given
General Security Tips Be alert Be aware of you surroundings Report any suspicious observations Do not discuss security information In the event of an emergency follow instructions Do not give any keys or access cards to anyone
General Building Access Keep doors locked when not in use Get permission to show tours to visitors Get background checks if possible for all visitors Do not accept delivered packages if not authorized Display ID badges Cameras and cell phones may be restricted in certain areas
Teaching and Curriculum Challenges How to incorporate aspects of nuclear security in all the introductory and advanced courses, both in theory and experimental parts How to include public policy courses for nuclear engineers and basic engineering courses for public policy students
Conclusions Recommendations Look at other curricula from other universities and agencies as models for course development. However, it is important to develop the culture for all aspects of nuclear security as an national effort with all stakeholders having an input. Incorporate all aspects of nuclear security whenever possible in all phases of the development of courses. Participate in regional conferences, share curricula and set up easy transfer of lecture material (e.g. websites) Join international societies that have nuclear security as the main focus