International nuclear masters
Last September in Paris an international nuclear engineering degree course was launched in English under guidance from a foundation for future energy. The Masters-level course includes modules readily applicable to industry.
Last September in Paris an international nuclear engineering degree course was launched in English under guidance from a foundation for future energy. The course
In a response to the demand for qualified nuclear engineers around the world and not least in France, the course is designed to prepare students for further work in the nuclear field worldwide as well as to promote the industry to younger students without a clear picture of what it can offer them. It is run by a consortium of several academic institutions and supported by Electricité de France (EdF), GdF-Suez and Areva. Oversight comes from The European Foundation for Tomorrow's Energy, led by EdF with assistance from the Institut de France as an official independent mentor.
EdF said the course "provides a preparation for research or for entering employment in a large industrial group; it will allow the newly graduated student to acquire a
variety of skills; give the ability to perform a broad-spectrum analysis of a multidisciplinary problem, the ability to imagine diverse innovative solutions, the ability to reasonably compromise between several such solutions and the ability to successfully implement the chosen solution."
The first year includes basic scientific modules on nuclear physics, materials, process engineering and chemistry as well as energy economics and project management.
In year two, students move on to study risk management, radiation protection, societal and environmental issues as well as one technical specialization. Issues in the fuel cycle are covered as well as power plant design and decommissioning.
Readily applicable subjects include aspects of power plant operations such as maintenance, safety, human factors and regulation.
With the first intake of students last September, the two-year course is being conducted now at the Orsay Campus south of Paris with the invovlement of French universities and 'Grandes Ecoles' including Université Paris-Sud 11, ParisTech, Supélec, École Centrale Paris and INSTN. After this initial academic year, around 150-200 students are expected to take part in the second year curriculum, with another 50-100 joining at the first year stage. Successful students will gain an International Master of Science in Nuclear Energy.
The decision to teach in English was in order to recruit not only French students, but also students from European Union countries or from countries with a new build program in view. The aim is to give them all a world class education, "enabling them to apply for a vast panel of nuclear companies and job positions," said EdF.
