Department of Nuclear Reactors provides highly specialized education in the field of nuclear engineering.
The education is focused on reactor and neutron physics, nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear power plants operation aspects. It covers also thermomechanics and dynamics of nuclear reactors and heat exchange principles. In addition, the radiation protection and environmental impacts of NPPs operation are important issue of education.
Tuition at the Department is supported by experiments and practical demonstration. Most important experimental device is training reactor VR-1 that is operated by the Department and it is used for educational and research purposes. Experiments are also carried out at the laboratories that are specialized for neutron transport study, spectrometric measurement or control systems.
There are study programs at Bachelor (3 year), Master (2 year), and PhD (4 year) levels. Each program is completed by passing the state exam including the defense of the thesis (Bachelor, Master and Doctoral). The education is amended with experiments at the VR-1 reactor. Students are taught to work autonomously via the self-study needed for writing semestral projects and theses. The Department also cooperates with other universities in Czech Republic and abroad. The Department often collaborates on its research activities with research institutions, enterprises, and national institutions in the field of nuclear energy and application of ionizing radiation.
BACHELOR DEGREE PROGRAMME
This course represents introduction to Nuclear Engineering. General knowledge in mathematics, physic and engineering is mixed with courses related to nuclear engineering. Students are educated for the subsequent study in Master Degree programs, so students can gather deeper knowledge in nuclear technology and related fields. Bachelor degree programme is only available in Czech language. For more information, see faculty webpage.
MASTER DEGREE PROGRAMME
The base of the Mater Degree program is focused on reactor technology with special attention to VVER, reactor physic, fuel cycle, reactor safety, reactor operation and experimental neutron physic. Education is supported by hands on training at reactor VR-1 and various laboratories operated by the Department. General information and admission info can be found at faculty webpage. Master degree programme is available in Czech and in English language.
DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMME
The PhD level program is offered for graduates from Master Degree programs. More information can be found on here.
FUTURE CAREER
Bachelor and master thesis topics referring to current research or industrial projects are offered to students. Thus, very often, students have the possibility to collaborate with research institutes and industrial enterprises, which brings them valuable experience and contacts for their future professional careers. The graduates are involved in the projects on nuclear fuel cycle modification, support of NPPs operation, or new energy sources builds and others. Also, they can join one of the enterprises concerned with the development and testing of safety and control systems and instrumentations.
Most of our graduates are employed as experts in following positions or fields in Czech Republic or abroad:
- Nuclear power plant - reactor physicist, reactor operator, new build engineer, reactor safety engineer
- Industry – research and development or support for reactor operation
- State Office for Nuclear Safety/IAEA – inspectors, reactor operation experts
- Research/University – scientists, PhD students, education of future nuclear specialists
OUR EXPERIMENTAL FACILITIES
Department of Nuclear Reactors operates the VR- 1 reactor and possesses several laboratories. The reactor is utilized mainly for education and training. Students can compare their theoretical knowledge with experiments and moreover obtain experience with the reactor operation. The neutron laboratory serves for performing experiments concerned understanding the phenomena of neutron interaction with matter. In the spectrometric laboratories the students can study the basic knowledge of dosimetry, neutron and gamma detection methods. In conclusion, students gather a comprehensive understanding of the nuclear issues and may enhance their theoretical knowledge by experimental work on facilities of the department.
TECHNICAL VISITS
In the course of the study the students take part in technical visits to nuclear facilities within Czech Republic (e.g. NPP Dukovany, NPP Temelín, ŠKODA JS, ÚJV in Řež), several week study-stay in the NPP Dukovany or Temelín and the possibility of taking a technical visit or course abroad.
As a consequence of broad international cooperation a variety of study-stays at universities or research institutes within, as well as outside Europe are offered to students (e.g. in USA, GB, Sweden, Japan, or Russia).