CBE 30235 - Introduction to Nuclear Engineering

Syllabus

Click here to see the course syllabus.

Office Hours

Professor Teaching Assistant

Class Notes

  • January 12, 2026 - The Engineering Context
  • January 14, 2026 - Atomic Structure & Mass-Energy Equivalence
  • January 16, 2026 - The Nuclear Landscape & Excited States
  • January 21, 2026 - Neutron Decay & The Physics of Beta Radiation
  • January 23, 2026 - Space Weather & The Atmospheric Source
  • January 26, 2026 - The Carbon-14 Clock & Anthropogenic Effects
  • January 28, 2026 - Alpha Decay & The Radon Hazard
  • January 30, 2026 - Geological Clocks (U-Pb, Rb-Sr) & Earth's Heat
  • February 2, 2026 - Neutron Interactions & Cross Sections
  • February 4, 2026 - The Physics of Neutron Moderation
  • February 6, 2026 - The Physics of Fission (Liquid Drop Model)
  • February 9, 2026 - The Reactor Lattice & Unit Cell Concept
  • February 11, 2026 - The Six-Factor Formula (keff)
  • February13, 2026 - Neutron Diffusion Theory & Fick's Law
  • February 16, 2026 - Prompt vs. Delayed Neutrons
  • February 18, 2026 - The Inhour Equation & Reactor Periods
  • February 20, 2026 - Reactivity Coefficients
  • February 23, 2026 - Fission Product Poisons (Xe-135 & Sm-149)
  • February 25, 2026 - Control Rod Physics & The S-Curve
  • February 27, 2026 - Flux Shaping & Peaking Factors
  • March 2, 2026 - Two-Group Theory & Reflector Savings
  • March 4, 2026 - Guest Lecture: Capt. M. B. Ryan (USN)
  • March 6, 2026 - Historic Lecture: Leighton (Sr) 1961 ASM Address
  • March 16, 2026 - Shippingport & The Seed-Blanket Concept
  • March 18, 2026 - Breeding Physics (Th232/U-233) & The LWBR
  • March 20, 2026 - The Commercial PWR
  • March 23, 2026 - The "Other" Water Reactors: BWRs and CANDU
  • March 25, 2026 - Gas & Fast Reactors (HTGR & LMFBR)
  • March 27, 2026 - Radiation Effects on Materials (Embrittlement, Swelling)
  • March 30, 2026 - The Front End (Mining, Enrichment, SWU Calcs)
  • April 1, 2026 - The Back End (Reprocessing, PUREX & Waste/Yucca)
  • April 8, 2026 - Design Basis Accidents: LOCA & ECCS
  • April 10, 2026 - Case Studies (TMI, Chernobyl, Fukushima)
  • April 13, 2026 - Interaction of Radiation with Matter (Shielding)
  • April 15, 2026 - Biological Dose, Health Physics, and Regulatory Limits
  • April 17, 2026 - Reactor Safety & Licensing
  • April 20, 2026 - Advanced Designs (SMRs, Molten Salt, Gen IV)
  • April 22, 2026 - Wrap-up / Open Design Studio
  • April 24, 2026 - Student Design Reviews (Groups 1 & 2)
  • April 27, 2026 - Student Design Reviews (Groups 3 & 4)
  • April 29, 2026 - Student Design Reviews (Groups 5 & 6)

    Nuclear Engineering Glossary

    References

    Daily Quiz

    Each lecture has a four question Canvas quiz associated with it. The quiz is released at the time of the individual lecture, and is due prior to the next lecture. These are designed to keep you on track in the course, and are easily answered from the materials presented in each lecture.

    Homework Assignments

    There are 10 problem sets this semester. They are more challenging than the quizzes, but should give you practice in solving quantitative problems relating to Nuclear Engineering. Links to the homeworks organized by due date are given below. Your scanned solutions should be turned in on Gradescope by 11:59pm on the due date.

    Final Projects

    In lieu of a final exam, students will be divided into six groups to prepare a written paper and oral presentation on a topic related to Nuclear Engineering. These presentations will be held during the last three class periods, and the papers are due by 11:59pm on the last day of classes
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    David.T.Leighton.1@nd.edu