University of Dhaka

Department of Nuclear Engineering

Syllabus for the Masters in Nuclear Engineering (MNE)

Structure of the Course

Duration: 1 year and 6 months: 3 semesters

First semester: 4 course x 3 credit = 12 credits

Second semester: 4 course x 3 credit = 12 credits

Third semester:

Practical = 2 credits
Thesis/Project = 8 credits
Viva-voce = 2 credits
Total = 36 credits

Two Non-credit courses should be taken by the students as per the decision of the
Academic Committee of the Department. In order to be awarded the degree, the
students must pass the non-credit courses securing at least a D grade.

Admission: Students will be admitted to the department as per university rules.

Admission Requirements
Students having BS (Honours), B Sc (Honours), B Eng, B Sc (Eng) or equivalent
degree from the following discipline:

Physics
Applied Physics, Electronics and Communication Engineering Chemistry
Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Chemical Engineering
Material Science and Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Metallurgical Engineering Theoretical Physics
Mathematics
_______________________________________________________
List of Courses

Course Code Course Title Credit

First Semester
MNE501 Fundamentals of Nuclear Physics and Engineering 3.00
MNE502 Reactor Physics and Nuclear Reactor Theory 3.00
MNE503 Nuclear Chemistry and Chemical Engineering 3.00
MNE504 Management of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Reactor Thermal 3.00
Hydrodynamics

Second Semester
MNE505 Nuclear Power System Engineering and Production of Energy 3.00
MNE506 Nuclear Analytical Techniques 3.00
MNE507 Health Physics and Radiation Science 3.00
MNE508 Nuclear Waste Management and Nuclear Accidents and 3.00
Safety Issues
MNE509 Practical 2.00

Third Semester
MNE510 Thesis/Project 8.00
MNE511 Viva-voce 2.00
Total 36.00
Non credit optional courses
Course Code Course Title
MNEOP512 Ion Source and Beam Technology
MNEOP513 Nuclear Material Science and Engineering
MNEOP514 Nuclear Electronics and Instrumentation
MNEOP515 Application of Nuclear Technology
MNEOP516 Nuclear Safeguards, Safety, Securities, Policy and Regulation

SEMESTER ONE: 12 Credits

MNE501: Fundamentals of Nuclear Physics and Engineering

Fundamental: Basics of Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Energy and Atomic Physics.

General properties of Nuclei: Constituents of nuclei, nuclear mass, charge and
size, nuclear density, nuclear spin and angular momentum, nuclear binding energy,
liquid drop model, statistics, mass formula

Nuclear Structure: Nuclear Radius, The interaction between two nucleons, Nuclear
models: free Fermi Gas model, shell or independent particle model, the collective
nuclear model
Nuclear Reaction: Neutron Physics of Fission and Fusion
Reaction, Nuclear Reactions and excited states of nuclei,
cross section of nuclear reactions, Neutron-induced reactions, proton-induced
reactions, limitation of compound nucleus theory, Formal Theory, Optical Model,
Direct Reactions, Statistical Model
Nuclear Fission and Fusion: Fission cross sections and threshold, the fission
products, the mass and energy distribution of the fission products, neutron
emission in fission, the theory of fission process, the energy distribution of the
neutron emitted by fission, Fission in Stars

Isotopes: Natural radioactivity and isotopes, isotopic masses and abundances: the
mass spectrograph and mass spectrometer, the stable isotopes of the elements and
their percentage abundances.
Radioactivity: alpha-, beta- and gamma- rays, Radioactive Decay, Units of
radioactivity, Interaction of gamma rays, neutrons and charged particles with
matter, The detection and measurement of radiation, The basis of the theory of
radioactive disintegration, the disintegration constant, radioactive decay, Half-
life and Mean Life, successive radioactive transformations, Radiometric Dating.
Artificial Nuclear Disintegration: Transmutation by alpha particles, alpha-proton
reactions, The neutron: alpha-neutron reactions, the acceleration of charged
particles, Transmutation by protons, deuterons, neutrons, photons, nuclear masses.
Elements of Nuclear Engineering: Nuclear Reactor Core Configuration, Form Factor
Analysis, Critical Reactivity, Reactor Flow Dynamics, Computational Flow Dynamics
(CFD), Coolants,
Materials for Reactor Components.
Accelerators: Van de Graff and Tandem accelerators, Neutron Generator, Neutron
Diffractrometer.

References:
1. Wazed Ali Mian, Elementary Nuclear Reactor Physics.
2. Kaplan, L., Nuclear Physics, Adison-Wasley
3. Cottingham, W N and D A Greenwood, An Introduction to
Nuclear Physics, Cambridge University Press
4. Glasstone, S. and A. Sesonske, Nuclear Reactor Engineering, D Van Nostrand

References:
1. Krane, KS, Introductory Nuclear Physics, John Wiley
2. Cohen, B. L., Concepts of nuclear Physics, McGraw Hill
3. Lamarsh, J. R, Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, Addison-
Wesley.
4. Rahman, I. U. and P. S. Sheikh, Introduction to Nuclear
Engineering, Krieger

MNE 502: Reactor Physics and Nuclear Reactor Theory

Nuclear Reactor: The nuclear energy sources, Reactor Kinetics and Transfer
function, The chain-reacting systems, Thermal nuclear reactor, The calculation of
the multiplication factor for a homogenous thermal reactor, heterogeneous thermal
reactor, the critical size of a thermal reactor, power and breeding, Fission and
Fusion reaction, fission characteristics, Chain reaction, neutron transport and
diffusion theory, diffusion and slowing down of neutrons, critical condition and
critical concentration, mass and dimensions, reactor kinetics, one-speed one group
and multi-group methods of neutron diffusion equations, analytical and numerical
solutions of for neutron diffusion equations, fast and thermal spectrum
calculations, inhomogeneous reactor design, effects of poisons and fuel depletion,
Nuclear reactor dynamics and reactivity feedbacks, production and transmutation of
radionuclide in nuclear reactors.
Numerical Methods of Reactor Analysis: Computation methods to analyze nuclear
reactor systems: differential, integral and integrodifferential equations, finite
difference, finite elements, discrete coordinate, Monte Carlo solutions for reactor
analysis, Neutron and photon transport
Design and Analysis of Nuclear Reactor: Principles of Nuclear Reactor Design,
Nuclear Reactor Core design, Principles and techniques of economic analysis to
determine capital and operating costs, fuel management and optimization, thermal
limits on reactor performance, thermal converters, fast breeders: control and
transient problems, commissioning and licensing of reactor safety, Design of Fusion
Reactors, Fast Breeder Reactor Plant, Light Water Reactor Power Plant, Pressurized
Water Reactor, Boiling Water Reactor, Reactor Safety Parameters.

Fusion Reactor Engineering: Fusion reactions and cross sections, Fusion Reaction
and Reactors, Engineering and design of fusion systems, introduction to controlled
thermonuclear fusion as an energy economy, case study of fusion reactor design,
engineering principles of support technology for fusion systems, Fuel Burn up,
Tritium Breeding for Fusion Reactors, Tokomak reactors, magnetic mirror reactors,
LASER driven reactors, economics of fusion reactors.

References:
1. Introduction to Reactor Physics, Riverhand.

References:
1. Lamarsh, J. R, Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory,
Addison-Wesley.
2. Duderstadt, J. J. and L. J. Hamilton, Nuclear Reactor Analysis, John Wiley
3. Ott, K. O. and W. A. Bazella, Introductory Nuclear Reactor Statistics, American
Nuclear Society.

MNE 503: Nuclear Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Fundamental of Chemical Engineering and nuclear power industry, Build-up of heavy

actinides, Burn-up and reactivity changes for mix and un-mixed fuel, Plutonium
recycle, Nuclear fuel processing Solvent extraction, McCabe-Thistle diagrammatic
solution of problems in separation process, Hafnium and Zirconium: Impotant
Isotopes, Isotope effects and Separation of Isotopes, General cascade theory,
Ideal, Close-separation and squared-off cascades, Separative duty, separation
potential, Enrichment costs, Radiolysis of Water, Heavy water production, Uranium
enrichment process: analysis and optimization. Gas Dynamics and Fluid Mechanics,
gas-solid reactions, mass spectrometry, Water Chemistry, Treatment Chemical
Reactions, Physical and Chemical Effects of Radiation on Atoms and Molecules,
Industrial Use of Radiation Instruments, Chemistry of Actinides

References:

1. Benedict. M., T. H. Pilford, and H. W. Levi, Nuclear Chemical Engineering,

McGraw Hill
2. Pratt, H. RC. Countercurrent Separation Processes, Elsevier
3. Flagg, J. F. (ed.), Chemical Processing of Reactor Fuels, Academic
4. Villani, S., Isotope Separation, American Nuclear Society
5. Becker, E. W., Production of Heavy Water, IAEA, Vienna
6. Vilbrandt, F. C. and C. E. Dryden, Chemical Engineering Plant Designing, McGraw
Hill

MNE 504: Management of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Reactor Thermal

Hydrodynamics

Foundation of nuclear fuel cycle with topics ranging from nuclear-fuel reprocessing
to waste treatment and final disposal, the emphasis is on the relationship between
nuclear-power utilization and its environment impacts. Mathematical models for
individual process in a fuel cycle, waste solidification, repository performance
and nuclear transmutation in a nuclear reactor, optimization of a fuel cycle.
Thermodynamic analysis of nuclear power plants, non-flow, steady and unsteady flow,
thermal analysis of fuel elements, thermal design and analysis of heat exchanger,
steam generators and condensers.

Heat Generation and Its Transport Systems, Heat Conduction in Fuel Matrixes, Heat
Transfer by Fluid Flow, Heat Transfer with Phase Change, Heat transfer and thermal
and hydraulic analysis of nuclear reactors, Thermodynamics and Thermal Aspects of
Nuclear Reactors, Two-phase flow and boiling, Thermo Hydraulic Phenomena in a Two-
Phase Flow, compressible flow, stress analysis, energy conversion methods.

References:

1. Graves, H. W. Jr., Nuclear Fuel Management, John Wiley

2. Silvennoinen, P., Reactor Core Fuel Management, Pergamon.
3. Frost, B R T, Nuclear Fuel Element, Pergamon.

SEMESTER TWO: 12 Credits

MNE 505: Nuclear Power System Engineering and Production of Energy

Basics of nuclear power generation, Design, analysis and fabrication of nuclear

powers systems, Energy conversion in nuclear power systems, thermal and structural
analysis of reactor core and plant components, corrosion in nuclear power systems:
structural metals in nuclear power plants, properties and fabrication of Zircaloy,
aqueous corrosion of reactor components, structural integrity of reactor
components,
neutron irradiation, management, operation and maintenance of nuclear power plant,
Scaling up from small to large scale reactor and power plants

Reference:

1. Willis, J G., Nuclear Power Plant Technology, Wiley Publisher

MNE 506:
Nuclear Analytical Techniques

Geometry of Crystals
Lattices, crystal systems, symmetry, primitive and non-primitive cells, lattice
directions and planes, crystal structures, atom sizes and coordination,
stereographic projection.

Diffraction and Diffractrometer

Introduction, X-ray spectroscopy, diffraction directions, Laue methods, rotating
crystal method, powder method, Diffractrometer method, diffraction under non-ideal
conditions, intensities of diffracted beams, scattering by an atom, scattering by a
unit cell, structure factor calculation, multiplicity factor, Lorenz factor,
absorption factor, Temperature factor, Intensities of powder pattern lines, Example
of intensity calculations, counters counting losses, counting efficiency, energy
resolution, proportional counter, scintillation counter, semiconductor counter,
pulse height analyzer, energy-dispersive Diffractrometry, time analysis
Diffractrometry.

Qualitative and Quantitative Elemental Analysis: Irradiation of materials with

neutrons in a nuclear reactor and neutron generator, Nuclear Analysis using Ion
Beam Analytical Techniques (IBA), Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE), Proton
Induced Gamma Emission (PIGE), Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS), X-ray
Diffraction, Semiconductor Gamma-ray spectrometers,
Neutron Diffraction: Neutron Powder Diffractometer, Neutron
Scattering, Triple Axis Neutron Spectrometer, Characterization of
Functional materials, Study on the phase purity, lattice constants, phase fraction,
phase transition, thermal vibration of atoms, long range and short range order,
dislocation and defects in crystals, identification of light atoms in compounds,
identification of atoms having close atomic numbers, identification of isotopes of
the same element, micro structure materials, magnetic phase transition, orientation
of the magnetic moments of atoms, magnetic disorder.

Neutron Activation Analysis, Nuclear Data Measurement,

Neutron radiography: Analysis of nuclear and non-nuclear materials, Detection of
Defects, and corrosion in metals and alloys.

Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXFR), Atomic Absorption

Spectrophotometry : Flame and Flameless (AAS), Inductively Coupled
Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Gas-Chromatograph-
Mass Spectrometer (CG-MS/MS), Ion Selective Electrode, Electro-analytical Systems,
Counting system for radio-tracer experiments, Nuclear Track Characterization, Solid
State Nuclear Track Detectors (SSNTD such as CR-39, LR-115), Gamma spectroscopy
system, Low-beta counting system, Alpha spectroscopy system, TLD Reader, TL
Dosimeter, Ring Dosimeter, Survey meters and contamination monitor, Exposure Rate
meter, Non Destructive Testing (NDT): Gamma Projectors.

References:

1. Elements of X-ray Diffraction, B D Cullity

2. Neutrons and Solid State Physics, L Dobrzynski and Blinwaski
3. Small angle X-ray Scattering, O Glatter and 0 Kratky

MNE 507:
Health Physics and Radiation Science

Absorbed dose, radiation exposure, radiation-weighted dose units, Public health and
radiation protection, philosophy of radiation protection, ICRP basic safety
criteria, radiation dosimetry; Radiation hazards: external and internal; Biological
effects of radiation-dose response characteristics, biological basis for internal
dosimetry, radiation effects; radiation safety guides; Health physics
instrumentation-radiation detector, particle counting instruments, dose measuring
instruments, neutron measurements, calibration, counting statistics; Evaluation of
protective measures-medical surveillance, estimation of internally deposited
radioactivity, individual monitoring, radiation and contamination surveys. Air
sampling, continuous environmental monitoring; assessment of hazard-maximum
credible accident, dose optimization.

References:
1. Herman Cember, Introduction to Health Physics, Third edition (1996), McGraw-
Hill, NY, USA.
2. J.E. Turner, Atoms, Radiation and Radiation Protection, Pergamon Press, NY,
1986.
3. G. Paic, Ionizing radiation, protection and dosimetry, CRC press, 1988.
4. G.F.Knoll, Radiation detection and measurement, 2nd edition, Wiley, NY, USA,
1989.
5. J. Shapioro, Radiation protection, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA,
1990.

MNE 508: Nuclear Waste Management and Nuclear Accidents and Safety Issues

Radioactive and nuclear toxic and waste: environmental pollution and protection
Transmutation of Nuclear Waste: conversion of hazardous long-lived isotopes to non-
radioactive or short-lived isotopes, management of nuclear accident and disaster.
National security and international law affairs: IAEA Policy and Regulations for
Nuclear waste management, Analytical methods for nonproliferation, Risk, Safety and
large Scale System Analysis, Uncertainty of Geologic Disposal, Safety Assessment
for Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste: multi-barrier concepts, ground water
hydrology, radionuclide release from waste solids, effect of water flow, effect of
geochemical conditions,
Safety Regulations : Regulatory basis for Environmental Protection of Nuclear Fuel
Cycle, Radiation Protection, Safety Characteristics of LWR and FBR, Nuclear Reactor
Accidents, Safety Culture, Safety Improvements and Advanced Nuclear Reactors.

Safety Evaluation : Principles and methods used in safety evaluation of complex

engineered systems with principle emphasis on fission and fusion nuclear power
plants, Safety philosophies regarding design, siting, operation and regulation,
deterministic and probabilistic models and methods including seismic safety, fires
and system safety.

References:
1. Mawsor, G. A., Management of Radioactive Wastes, Van Nostrand.
2. Benedict, T. H Pigford and H W. Levi, Nuclear Chemical Engineering, McGraw Hill.

SEMESTER THREE: 12 Credits

MNE 509: Practical 2 Credit

List of Practical Experiments

1. Measurement of Core Excess and Shutdown Margin.

2. Measurement of the Reactivity Worth of a Control Rod.
3. Control Rod Calibration.
4. Reactor Power Calibration.
5. Neutron Flux Measurement.
6. Gamma-ray and neutron attenuation of shielding materials.
7. Measurement of Radiation Doses around the Reactor Facility/Radiation Source
Facility.

8. Reactor operational characteristics by simulators.

9. Fuel burn-up calculation/measurement.
10. Radio-chemical separation and identification of Radio-nuclides by using Gamma-
ray spectrometry system.
11. Calibration of stack monitoring system.
12. Dose measurement by TLD system.
13. Heat Transfer Characteristics for Loss of Coolant Accidents (LOCA) :
Experiments on Thermal hydraulics
14. Elemental analysis by using XRF/TXRF/PIXE/Tandem Accelerator.
15. Metal characterization by using neutron scattering technique.
16. Instrumentation and Measurement of Microprocessor, Microcontroller, PLC,
Sensors, Signal Conditioners, Transmitters, Actuators, etc.
17. Radiation Effect of Polymeric and Bio Materials : Study on Mechanical,
Electrical and Thermal Properties

MNE 510: Thesis/ Project

The students can perform their research work in the laboratories of the following
academic and Research institutes:

University of Dhaka
Department of Physics
Department of Applied Physics, Electronics and Communication Engineering
Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Centre of Excellence

Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission

Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, AERE, Savar Reactor Operation and
Maintenance Unit, AERE, Savar
Institute of Electronics, AERE, Savar
Tandem Accelerator, AERE, Savar
Nuclear Waste Management, AERE, Savar
Institute of Food Radiation and Biology, AERE, Savar
Institute of Radiation and Polymer Technology, AERE, Savar
Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka
Institute of Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine Centre

MNE 511: Viva-voce 2 Credit

OPTIONAL COURSES
Two Non-credit courses should be taken by the students as per the decision of the
Academic Committee of the Department

MNE OP 512: Ion Source and Beam Technology

Types of Ion and electron sources, extraction and formation of charged particle
beams, beam propagation, diagnostics of ion sources and beams, application of beams
in fusion, synchrotron light source, neutron generation, lithography, medical
therapy

Ion Beam evolution, transport limits and focusing methods

Ion Beam collision and beam colliders, heavy ion fusion
Interaction of intense charged particle beam with electric and magnetic beams

MNE OP 513: Nuclear Material Science and Engineering

Atomic Structure of metals, phase transformations, mechanical properties of

materials, Control of microstructure, fracture mechanics, oxidation and corrosion,
corrosion fatigues, stress corrosion cracking, radiation effects on materials,
carbon steels, high strength low alloy steels, alloy steels, super alloys,
Zircaloy, concrete materials for fuel control rods, materials for reactor pressure
vessel.

Nuclear fuels and in-core materials, manufacturing methods of nuclear fuels,

structures of fuels and fuel elements, improvements of nuclear fuels and increased
efficiency from nuclear reactors, moderators, control materials, blanket materials,
structural materials, components of LWR, HWR, LMFBR reactors and material
selection, radiation damage of materials, irradiation effects of nuclear reactor
materials, irradiation induced modification of materials, structural changes in
reactor components, nano-modification of metals using ion-beam and particle
accelerators. Physical and chemical properties of isotopes, physical and chemical
properties of U, U02 and Pu02, Fabrication process of nuclear fuels, Fission and
Fusion Reactor Materials.
Properties and application of nano-materials in the fabrication processing of
reactors

MNE OP 514: Nuclear Electronics and Instrumentation

Principles of Nuclear Electronics: Analog circuits, BJT, MOSFET,

Regulated Power Supply, Operational Amplifiers, Digital Circuits; Logic Gates,
Flip-flops, Nuclear Counting Systems: Basic Counting Set-up, High Voltage Supply,
Preamplifiers: Charge sensitive and current sensitive preamplifiers, Amplifiers,
Discriminators, Sealer Timer, Count rate Meter, Single Channel Analyzer (SCA),
Timing Single Channel Analyzer, Calibration of SCA, Multi Channel Analyzer, Test
and Calibration Equipment : DC Power Supply, DC Test Equipment : IC Tester, AC
Signal Test Equipment, Signal Generators, Logic and Tail Pulse Generators, AC Line
Power Conditioning, AC Voltage Stabilizer, Electronic Ballast, Power Line
Protection techniques, Power Supply Problems and Solutions, Three Phase Monitors,
Digital Frequency Counter, Wattmeter, Drop-out-relay, Impedance Analyzer,
Inductance Analyzer, Eddy Current testing, Electronic Fault Diagnosis : Fault
Diagnosis of Power Supply, Fault Diagnosis of Transistor and IC Circuits, Trouble
Shooting of Nuclear Equipment.
Familiarization with Nuclear Electronic Measuring Instruments: Use of Pulse
Generators, Pulse height and shape discriminations, Function Generators, Use of
Oscilloscope in equipments, Testing of High Voltage Supply, Testing of
Photomultiplier tube, Measurement of Noise.
Nuclear Radiation Detection: Radiation Detectors, Gas Filled Detectors, ionization
Chamber, Proportional Counter, Geiger Muller Counter, Scintillation Detectors,
Cadmium Telluride Detectors, and Gamma Detectors.
Microprocessors and Basic Programming Language: Circuits and IC, PLC, Signal
Conditioners, Transmitters, Actuators, Counting and Storage Circuits, Data types
and Data acquisition, Data Analysis, Data Conversion and Transmission.
Measuring and Analytical Nuclear Instrumentation: Radiation Dose Rate Meter,
Radiation Scintillation Survey meter, Area radiation Monitor, Digital Soil PH
Meter, Magnetic Field detector, Fluid Sensor cum system controller, Nuclear
Magnetic Resonance, Introduction to imaging.
Ionizing radiation measurement and detection system: radiation spectroscopy using
scintillation detectors, various types of semiconductor detectors, neutron
detection techniques and neutron spectroscopy.
Vacuum Technology and Pumps, Physical-chemical phenomenon in vacuum techniques,
Techniques for Vacuum Pressure Measurement, Turbo molecular and Cryogenic Pumps,
Leak detection.

MNE OP 515: Application of Nuclear Technology

Advanced Energy Conversion technologies

Energy Perspectives Bangladesh and Production of Nuclear Energy Application of
Nuclear Technology
Accelerators in Applied Research and Technology: Accelerator based fundamental
research, application of accelerator in industry.
Nuclear Medicine and Biomedical Engineering: Radiation therapy, health physics,
diagnostic imaging, X-ray machines, MRI, CT-PET, Boron neutron capture theory,
radioactive tracers, biological effects of radiation, Dosimetry, radiation
shielding, radiation protection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness and
diseases
Geological aspects of Nuclear Materials: mineralogy of nuclear materials including
uranium, thorium, zirconium, beryllium, alum inum, rare earths, lithium, titanium,
niobium, tantalum, geochemical distribution of nuclear minerals in world,
geochemical and drilling techniques of exploration of nuclear mineral deposits,
mining and economics of commercial exploration of nuclear deposits, radiation
safety aspects of mining and environment.

MNE OP 516: Nuclear Safeguards, Safety, Securities, Policy and Regulation

Standards and regulations applied for nuclear fuel cycle facilities, concepts of
performance-based, risk-informed design and regulations, technical bases for
assessing the environmental impacts of nuclear fuel cycle facilities under normal
operation and accidental situations, interpretation of environmental impact
assessment.
Institutional and international political aspects Nuclear and Toxic and Waste
management
Environmental radiation protection for nuclear power operations,
Health and environment protection for uranium and thorium extraction and mill
tailings
National Laws and Regulation for Practice of Nuclear Energy
IAEA Policy and Regulations, National Securities and International Law.