Non-Licensed Operator Track

Recommended Sequence – 1st Semester

NUPT 101 Overview of Nuclear Energy
*NUPT 103 Nuclear Mathematical Fundamentals
*NUPT 105 Classical Physics
NUPT 107 Engineering Drawings, Diagrams and Schematics

Recommended Sequence – 2nd Semester

*NUPT 113 Mechanical Science
*NUPT 215 Nuclear Plant Chemistry
*NUPT 109 Electrical Science
*NUPT 213 Nuclear Physics

Recommended Sequence – 3rd Semester

*NUPT 217 Heat Transfer, Fluid Flow & Thermodynamics
*NUPT 111 Instrumentation & Control
*NUPT 221 Science of Radiological Protection
*NUPT 219 Material Science

Recommended Sequence – 4th Semester

NUPT 220 Reactor Theory
*NUPT 225 Nuclear Plant System Component Design & Function
*NUPT 223 Reactor Safety Design
NUPT 227 Conduct of Facility Operations

In addition to the courses listed above, 15 general education credits are required.

* Indicates NUCP criteria.

Please visit the Education Plan link for additional information.9 Instrumentation & Control II

Instrumentation & Control Track

Recommended Sequence – 1st Semester

*NUPT 103 Nuclear Mathematical Fundamentals
*NUPT 105 Classical Physics
*NUPT 219 Material Science
*NUPT 221 Science of Radiological Protection

Recommended Sequence – 2nd Semester

*NUPT 113 Mechanical Science
*NUPT 215 Nuclear Plant Chemistry
*NUPT 109 Electrical Science
*NUPT 213 Nuclear Physicsrotection

Recommended Sequence – 3rd Semester

ICTL 215 Instrumentation Drawings & Documentation
*NUPT 217 Heat Transfer, Fluid Flow & Thermodynamics
*NUPT 111 Instrumentation & Control
ICTL 225 Input & Output Devices

Recommended Sequence – 4th Semester

ICTL 235 Motors & Controllers
*NUPT 225 Nuclear Plant System Component Design & Function
*NUPT 223 Reactor Safety Design
*NUPT 229 Instrumentation and Control II

In addition to the courses listed above, 15 general education credits are required.

* Indicates NUCP criteria.

Please visit the Education Plan link for additional information.9 Instrumentation & Control II

1st Semester Courses

Non-licensed Operator and Instrumentation & Control Tracks

Classes offered in the Fall semesters

NUPT 101 – Overview of Nuclear Energy – 2 Credits
In this course the student will study the history of nuclear power, the basic principles of reactor design and operation at commercial nuclear electrical generating facilities. It includes an examination of nuclear waste issues, a study of important events which occurred at commercial nuclear plants, and a look towards the future of the electrical generating industry.

NUPT 103 – Nuclear Mathematical Fundamentals – 3 Credits
This course will review basic math, including basic arithmetic functions, fractions and decimals. The course will continue by covering scientific notation, dimensional analysis, algebra, basic geometry and trigonometry. Control charts and graphs, logarithms and exponential functions, and rate concepts will also be covered.

NUPT 105 – Classical Physics – 4 Credits
Recommended prerequisite: NUPT 103
This course is designed to introduce students to classical physics. Topics covered include: units of measurement, kinetics, force, energy, momentum, work, fluids, and mechanical principles.

NUPT 107 – Engineering Drawings, Diagrams and Schematics – 3 Credits
This course will introduce students to engineering drawings, diagrams, and schematics that are used in nuclear operations. Students will learn how to read and decipher the various nuclear symbols, components, systems, and legends found on diagrams, drawings, and schematics.

2nd Semester Courses

Non-licensed Operator and Instrumentation & Control Tracks

Courses offered in Spring semesters

NUPT 113 – Mechanical Science – 3 credits
This course will cover the basic function, design, and operation of mechanical components and equipment which are an integral part of nuclear facilities. Pumps, heat exchangers, valves, diesel engines, compressors, and filters will be included as well as some mechanical systems such as cooling towers and refrigeration.

NUPT 215 – Nuclear Plant Chemistry – 3 Credits
Recommended prerequisite: NUPT 103
This course covers basic chemistry fundamentals relating to maintaining water purity in primary and secondary systems. This course also covers chemistry concepts for both pressurized water reactors and boiling water reactors. Principles of water treatment, hazards and safety requirements will also be contained in the course.

NUPT 109 – Electrical Science – 4 Credits
Recommended prerequisite: NUPT 103
This course begins with the study of basic electrical fundamentals, theory, laws, and magnetism. Direct current and alternating current electrical circuits, generators, motors, and other components along with their applications will be covered. Single-phase AC circuits and three-phase AC circuits will be discussed. Inductance, capacitance, impedance, and resonance will be covered along with construction of conductors, insulators, and relays.

NUPT 213 – Nuclear Physics – 3 Credits
Recommended prerequisite: NUPT 105
This course will tour the topics that comprise the fundamentals of nuclear science, giving the students an appreciation of theory and principles that govern nuclear processes involved in an operating reactor. This course covers the fundamental atomic structures, nuclear nomenclature, binding energy and nuclear decay reactions. Other topics such as the famous E=mc2 equation, neutron interaction with matter, the fission process and decay heat will be related to the everyday operation of a nuclear power plant.

3rd Semester Courses

Non-licensed Operator Track

Courses offered in Fall semesters

NUPT 217 – Heat Transfer, Fluid Flow & Thermodynamics – 4 Credits
Recommended prerequisite: NUPT 105
This course covers heat transfer, fluid flow fundamentals, and the basics of thermodynamics. It begins with a discussion of temperature and heat, and progresses into heat capacities, sensible and latent heats. The laws of thermodynamics and related terms are introduced. The student will learn to perform energy balances, and understand thermodynamic processes and cycles. Properties of fluids and descriptions of their behavior are discussed. Topics covered include density, static head, hydraulics, buoyancy, and fluid flow. Centrifugal pumps are studied as well as closed system operation.

NUPT 111 – Instrumentation & Control – 4 Credits
Recommended prerequisites: NUPT 109 & NUPT 217
This course will cover the construction, operation, and failure modes of basic sensors and detectors used in nuclear generation. Included in this are gamma and neutron core power detector construction, operation and effects. Various control systems will be covered including failure symptoms and troubleshooting techniques from an operational perspective.

NUPT 221 – Science of Radiological Protection – 3 Credits
This course will provide the student with a broad, in-depth knowledge of radiological protection principles.

NUPT 219 – Material Science – 3 Credits
This course provides the student with a basic understanding of the structure of metals and how those structures are affected by various processes. The properties of metals and their applications are also covered along with thermal stress and shock. Ductile and brittle fractures will also be covered along with selecting materials for specific use in the industry. Lastly, students will discuss how important pressure and temperature curves are and why they are used when heating up and cooling down plant equipment.

3rd Semester Courses

Instrumentation & Control Track

Courses offered in Fall semesters

ICTL 215 – Instrument Drawings and Documentation – 4 credits
Topics covered in this course include plant terminology, piping and industrial diagrams (P&ID), electrical and wiring diagrams, graphs, charts, documentation of settings and records keeping, calibration practices and standards, flow, pressure, position, level, temperature and analytical measurements. The use and care of test equipment is also covered.

NUPT 217 – Heat Transfer, Fluid Flow & Thermodynamics – 4 Credits
Recommended prerequisite: NUPT 105
This course covers heat transfer, fluid flow fundamentals, and the basics of thermodynamics. It begins with a discussion of temperature and heat, and progresses into heat capacities, sensible and latent heats. The laws of thermodynamics and related terms are introduced. The student will learn to perform energy balances, and understand thermodynamic processes and cycles. Properties of fluids and descriptions of their behavior are discussed. Topics covered include density, static head, hydraulics, buoyancy, and fluid flow. Centrifugal pumps are studied as well as closed system operation.

NUPT 111 – Instrumentation & Control – 4 Credits
Recommended prerequisites: NUPT 109 & NUPT 217
This course will cover the construction, operation, and failure modes of basic sensors and detectors used in nuclear generation. Included in this are gamma and neutron core power detector construction, operation and effects. Various control systems will be covered including failure symptoms and troubleshooting techniques from an operational perspective.

ICTL 225 – Input and Output Devices – 4 credits
In this course students will study measurement sensors such as proximity sensors and switches, motion detectors, analog and smart transmitters, and temperature devices. Other topics include valves and their types, valve positioners, current to pneumatic (I/P) converters, electric drives and motor starters, dampers and linkages.

4th Semester Courses

Non-licensed Operator Track

Courses offered in Spring semesters

NUPT 220 – Reactor Theory – 2 Credits
Recommended prerequisite: NUPT 213
This course will tour the topics that comprise the fundamentals of how reactors are built and operated, giving the student understanding and appreciation of the theory and principles that govern control room operation and activities outside the control room and how they/could they affect the reactor. This course starts with classification of the types of neutrons, and the neutron life cycle. Other topics include reactivity which provides an understanding of what criticality means in terms of reactor operation. Lastly, a discussion of reactor shutdown operation and decay heat removal and significant reactor events.

NUPT 225 – Nuclear Plant System Component Design and Function – 4 Credits
This course will provide the student with a broad, in-depth knowledge of nuclear plant Reactor, Reactor Auxiliaries, Secondary Plant and Electrical Systems.

NUPT 223 – Reactor Safety Design – 3 Credits
This course will provide the student with a broad, in-depth knowledge of reactor safety design and protection principles.

NUPT 227 – Conduct of Facility Operations – 4 Credits
This course will provide the student with a broad-brush knowledge of the Conduct of Operations as set forth by the Department of Energy (DOE Order 5480.19, Conduct of Operations). This document contains best operating practices found in the commercial nuclear fleet, and as such can be looked at as a summary document for candidate utility workers.

4th Semester Courses

Instrumentation & Control Track

Courses offered in Spring semesters

ICTL 235 – Motors and Controllers – 4 credits
Topics of study include types of AC and DC motors, stepper motors, motor theory, types of motor controls, three phase power, Y and delta configurations, variable speed drives (variable frequency and variable DC), motor and other electrical equipment protection (breakers and overloads).

NUPT 225 – Nuclear Plant System Component Design and Function – 4 Credits
This course will provide the student with a broad, in-depth knowledge of nuclear plant Reactor, Reactor Auxiliaries, Secondary Plant and Electrical Systems.

NUPT 223 – Reactor Safety Design – 3 Credits
This course will provide the student with a broad, in-depth knowledge of reactor safety design and protection principles.

NUPT 229 – Instrumentation & Control II – 4 Credits
In this course, the student will be exposed to advanced instrumentation and control concepts pertinent to technicians working in the nuclear industry. The course will delve into the theory of operation for a number of digital components and systems, and explain important systems common to all nuclear power plants that employ these concepts. The course will also delve into the certain mechanical and electrical processes to demonstrate how these relate to the instrumentation and control systems governing them.