NE 472:  Nuclear System Design

Learning Outcomes for NE 472 (Nuclear System Design)
 

1. Demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge gained in undergraduate courses to a real-world design problem.  Also, obtain any new knowledge needed to address the design problem.
2. Demonstrate the ability to design a nuclear system to meet desired needs.
3. Learn how to function in teams.
4. Learn how to identify and solve engineering problems by sub-dividing the overall problem into smaller, more easily solvable problems.
5. Demonstrate ethical responsibility and practice by being a significant contributor to the design group effort (i.e., not loafing).
6. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in writing and in oral presentations.
7. Appreciate the impact of engineering solutions in a global/societal context.
8. Appreciate the need for lifelong learning.
9. Gain knowledge of contemporary issues.
10. Learn to use modern engineering tools.

The main objective of this capstone design course is to provide a real-world design experience to nuclear engineering seniors.  A secondary objective is to apply and integrate the knowledge gained from the undergraduate program to conduct a real-world nuclear design project.  Another objective is to gain any new knowledge that may be needed to address the design project.  Students are expected to learn how to use state-of-the-art engineering analysis tools that are appropriate to the specific design problem.  Students are also expected to improve their communication skills and to work effectively in teams.

The following are the 11 ABET-specified outcomes for the UTNE academic program as defined by the ABET 2000 criteria:

1. Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering
2. Ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
3. Ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs
4. Ability to function in multi-disciplinary teams
5. Ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems
6. Understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
7. Ability to communicate effectively
8. Broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering  solutions in a global/societal context
9. Recognition of the need for and ability to engage in lifelong learning
10. Knowledge of contemporary issues
11. Ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

Explanation of the Mapping Presented in Table 1 (NE 472)

ABET Outcome 1:  New basic knowledge is always gained in NE 472 because the undergraduate program is never completely sufficient for real-world design problems.

ABET Outcome 2  is not addressed by NE 472.

ABET Outcome 3:  NE 472 is totally dedicated to the design of a nuclear system to meet a real-world need.

ABET Outcome 4:  NE 472 students work in teams.  For example, a reactor core design problem requires one (or more) students take responsibility for neutronics, one (or more) students take responsibility for thermalhydraulics, one for economics, etc.

ABET Outcome 5:  The overall design problem frequently requires sub-division into smaller problems which must be identified, formulated, and solved.

ABET Outcome 6:  One aspect of professional ethics is to always put forth your best individual effort for the benefit of the team.  In other words, it is unethical to loaf and let others do your work.

ABET Outcome 7:  Students will improve their communications skills (i.e., both written and oral communications) via feedback from the instructor.

ABET Outcome 8:  Some design problems address global/societal issues such as severe reactor accidents and plutonium disposition.

ABET Outcome 9:  Design students recognize quite soon that they do not have enough knowledge to address the assigned problem.  Hence, the need for more and continued learning is apparent.

ABET Outcome 10:  The design problem always addresses a contemporary issue such as food irradiation and passive reactor safety.

ABET Outcome 11:  The design problem always requires modern engineering tools such as the widely used codes MCNP, RELAP, or RETRAN.

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