Energy

In this course students learn the working principles of nuclear reactors for energy production. The course first builds the foundational knowledge of basic nuclear physics that allows students to analyze the interaction of radiation with matter. Students will learn how nuclear reactors are designed and operated, with emphasis on the CANDU technology. The course relies on student knowledge of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics to tackle common problems in nuclear engineering such as heat removal from the reactor. Students critically analyze major nuclear accidents with the goal to better understand reactor transients, and crucial concepts such as reactor control systems and nuclear safety. Students are introduced to advanced reactor designs and other nuclear technologies that will shape clean energy solutions for the future of human society.

This course introduces fundamental thermodynamics and heat transfer concepts needed to analyze thermal systems including ideal gas laws; work and heat; conservation of energy; thermodynamic properties of pure substances; equations of state; applications to open and closed systems; heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation. Theory will be complemented with a series of labs that introduce temperature measurement devices and thermal circuit analysis.

An introductory course in fluid mechanics with application to fluid power systems. Topics include properties of fluids, fluids at rest, dimensional analysis, the laws of conservation of mass and momentum, Bernoulli’s equation for incompressible flow and the energy equation, flow measurements, elementary pipe flow problems including losses due to pumps, valves etc. Laboratories will introduce students to pressure and flow measuring devices, pneumatic and hydraulic components and actuators, and circuit analysis of fluid power systems.