Master's Degree in Nuclear Safety and Radiological Protection

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), there are currently 440 nuclear reactors in operation around the world. New reactors are being built in countries such as the US, China, the UK, France, Japan and Brazil, while other reactors are in permanent shutdown. Some of them have already been dismantled, others are currently in the process of being dismantled and others will be dismantled in the future. Spain has various nuclear reactors, including reactors that are in operation, in permanent shutdown and in the process of being dismantled.

In addition to nuclear power plants and other nuclear fuel cycle facilities (nuclear facilities), there are over a thousand radioactive facilities in operation in Spain, in the industrial sector, in medical applications, in education and in research. As a result, monitoring environmental and natural radioactivity is becoming increasingly important in the social and environmental spheres. The special case of radon gas and the presence of NORM (naturally occurring radioactive material) in certain industries such as ceramics and the construction industry are particularly noteworthy.

It must be ensured that the operation of nuclear and radioactive facilities does not harm the health of people (workers in the facilities and the general public), or damage the environment in any way. Therefore, studies aimed at monitoring and improving the nuclear safety and radiological protection of those facilities are vitally important.

The main aim of the Master's Degree in Nuclear Safety and Radiological Protection is to allow students to acquire expertise and skills in the field of nuclear safety and radiological protection. The aim of nuclear safety is to reduce the likelihood of accidents occurring and mitigate their consequences. In turn, radiological protection is a set of scientific and technical multidisciplinary activities whose purpose is to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects that can result from exposure to ionising radiation.

The teaching of the Master's Degree in Nuclear Safety and Radiological Protection is divided into four modules: two compulsory modules, one elective module and one module for the master's thesis. The Master's Degree's total number of credits is 60 ECTS.

Module 1 (Fundamentals and Methods) is compulsory, comprising 19.5 ECTS and covering two subjects:

Module 2 (Specific training) is also compulsory (24 ECTS) and includes Subject 3:

Module 3 (elective) contains Subject 4 (Supplementary Courses on Nuclear Safety and Radiological Protection) with optional courses. The student must take 4.5 ECTS in this module, choosing a course offered on this subject or completing an academic internship in a company.

The credit recognition system will be as detailed in point 4.4. of the report.

Finally, module 4 is for the completion of the master's thesis (12 ECTS).

Applications for admission to the Master's Degree in Nuclear Safety and Radiological Protection that meet the entry requirements will be assessed by the Academic Committee of the Master's Degree and weighted as follows: