Distance Learning

The following 9 modules are available in distance learning format. Students must complete 8 of the 9 modules to complete the MSc. Each module contains the same syllabus as its counterpart delivered by direct teaching, has the same learning outcomes and is delivered once per annum at a fixed time in order to facilitate the concept of a ‘virtual classroom’. The modules are available online for students to study for a period of 5 months.

We are flexible in the way you complete your modules, you can either attend the one week taught module or take the distance learning version, as long as you complete the correct number of modules required for the award you are registered for.

Part-time MSc taken over 3 years:

Year 1: 4 modules - 2 in semester one and 2 in semester two (Successful completion attains Postgraduate Certificate)

Year 2: 4 modules - 2 in semester one and 2 in semester two (Successful completion attains Postgraduate Diploma)

Year 3: Project & Dissertation (Successful completion attains MSc)

 

Semester 1 (September - January)

N01 Reactor Physics, Criticality & Design	Syllabus
N02 Nuclear Fuel Cycle	Syllabus
N03 Radiation & Radiological Protection	Syllabus
N04 Decommissioning, Radioactive Waste and Environmental Management	Syllabus
N12 Reactor Thermal Hydraulics	Syllabus

 

Semester 2 (February - June)

Due to unforeseen exceptional circumstances, the N07 - Nuclear Safety Case Development course unit will not be available in 2023-24

N07 Nuclear Safety Case Development	Syllabus
N10 Processing, Storage and Disposal of Nuclear Waste	Syllabus
N13 Criticality Safety Management	Syllabus
N31 Management of the Decommissioning Process	Syllabus

The distance learning platform is Blackboard, a web-based Virtual Learning Environment, accessible anywhere, anytime and includes course handbooks, course content, timetables, course news, discussion groups, video clips and email. We will be lecture capturing the taught modules from 2014 and these will then be added to the DL modules above.

Key features:

• Content (textual/video/audio based)
• Multimedia (animation/video/audio)
• Communication Tools (discussion boards/blogs/email)
• Assessment (quizzes/self-tests)
• Course Management (student tracking/online gradebook)

The teaching material is not simply pages of text or reproductions of PowerPoint slides but is created specifically for this form of delivery. It includes video (presentations with voice over), individual self-tests, e-papers, downloadable material and other related resources.

Access to the internet is essential. For some of the modules, delegates also receive a CD/DVD version of the course which allows study (but not interactive exercises) to be undertaken on a lap top whilst e.g. travelling.

Unless a module contains a compulsory residential session for laboratory work, students may undertake an entire module remotely from the university campus.  However an optional one day residential programme is delivered during certain taught modules, allowing delegates to meet the course leader and their fellow attendees and have the opportunity for discussions on key aspects of the module.  As with the direct taught version, a significant individual assignment is incorporated as well as an examination.  The latter is also taken remotely from the university campus, at a location convenient for the delegate and acceptable to NTEC, and will be sat simultaneously by attendees from the direct taught and distance learning version of each module.

Distance learning programme structure

In order to permit part-time students to complete four modules in a year, modules are delivered in parallel. A student must complete 2 modules from the 5 available simultaneously each semester. An illustration of the distance learning programme structure, modules and timetable is shown below.

 

September	N01, N02, N03, N04, N12
October
November
December
January	Examinations
February	N07, N10, N13, N31
March
April
May
June	Examinations