- From www.edx.org
Nuclear Energy: Science, Systems and Society
- Self-paced
- Free Access
- Fee-based Certificate
- 14 Sequences
- Introductive Level
Course details
Syllabus
Module 1: Introduces the basics of ionizing radiation - what it is, where it comes from, and how it is used to benefit humanity. We specifically focus on the origins and energetics of ionizing radiation, and quantify what radiation dose is, where it comes from, and how much people can safely tolerate with no adverse effects.
Module 2: Will articulate attributes and challenges of nuclear energy as a commercial source of electric power. Will focus on potential contribution of nuclear energy to decarbonization of the power sector, including discussion of nuclear power plant economics and safety. A few innovations in nuclear energy systems will be described.
Module 3: Will cover the basics of nuclear fusion, including fundamental plasma physics concepts needed to understand the prospects for development of magnetic confinement fusion. Innovation and future directions will be described.
Module 4 : Will cover applications of nuclear science and engineering beyond energy, focusing on the emerging field of quantum science and engineering, where atomic and nuclear science are playing an important role. Innovations, challenges and opportunities in quantum computation and quantum sensing will be described.
Prerequisite
Familiarity with high school level calculus is desirable, but not required.
Instructors
Jacopo Buongiorno
TEPCO Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Anne White
Professor and Head, Nuclear Science and Engineering, SoE Distinguished Professor of Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Michael Short
Class of ’42 Associate Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
John Parsons
Senior Lecturer, Finance Group at MIT Sloan School of Management
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Paola Cappellaro
KEPCO Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering and Professor of Physics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Editor
MIT is a world-class educational institution where teaching and research — with relevance to the practical world as a guiding principle — continue to be its primary purpose.
MIT is independent, coeducational, and privately endowed. Its five schools and one college encompass numerous academic departments, divisions and degree-granting programs, as well as interdisciplinary centers, laboratories and programs whose work cuts across traditional departmental boundaries.
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