NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

ACADEMIC SECRETARIAT
DIRECTORATE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

SCHOOL: HIGHER SCHOOL OF PHYSICS AND MATHEMATICS SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION TO NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
DEGREE: BACHELOR IN PHYSICS AND MATHEMATICS CLAVE: 0550 SEMESTRE: 5º
ESPECIALIDAD:INGENIERIA NUCLEAR CREDITOS: 6 VALID:94/95.
COORDINATION: TYPE OF SUBJECT: MANDATORY
DEPARTAMENTO:INGENIERIA NUCLEAR MODE: SCHOOLED

FOUNDATION OF THE SUBJECT

The basic principles that govern nuclear reactions are explained in quantitative terms.
and the systems of the different types of nuclear reactors whose function is mainly
convert nuclear energy into more useful forms of energy. This course is an introduction to
field of nuclear engineering.

TIEMPOS TOTALES ASIGNADOS: PROGRAM PREPARED OR UPDATED AUTHORIZED BY:

HRS./SEMESTER:60 HRS/WEEK:3 BY: ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
HRS./THEORY/SEMESTER:60 REVIEWED BY: NUCLEAR
HRS./PRACTICE/SEMESTER:0 APPROVED BY: TECH. COUNCIL SCH. COUNCIL
 SUBJECT INTRODUCTION TO NUCLEAR ENGINEERING KEY 0550 SHEET 2 OF 8

FOUNDATION

The energy from the nucleus is part of our daily life; in one way or another, we are connected to it.
it is through its diagnostic uses in medicine or in the production of electrical energy, to mention a few
examples.

It is necessary for professionals to understand how this energy is generated so that it can be given the importance it deserves.
correspond and use it for peaceful purposes.

This subject is the beginning of a series of subjects related to Nuclear Engineering and has been placed starting from the 5th.
semester of the Bachelor's degree, this being the one that provides the principles on this subject, already having prior training
in physics and mathematics necessary.

Subsequently, there is a specific link with nuclear reactors and their engineering as sources
alternative energy producers, this without overlooking the aspect of safety which is something inherent with radiations.

It is important for any student who wishes to have knowledge on this topic to start with this subject, as it provides them with the
basic principles through which different types of radiation interact with matter. Moreover, not only
understand physical phenomena but can also quantify them and as a consequence, can give a judgment about them
aspects that are and are not advantageous of nuclear energy.

The course is theoretical in the sense that the student receives their class and must also solve problems to confirm their understanding.
knowledge, the latter being a way to know the results of your study. Sometimes one can interact
with a computer to solve certain problems that would otherwise be very complicated.

As mentioned earlier, this course provides the fundamentals for the student to understand the reality about energy.
nuclear and may at certain moments act with knowledge and judgment and nota priori .
 SUBJECT INTRODUCTION TO NUCLEAR ENGINEERING CLAVE 0550 PAGE 3 OF 8

No. UNIT I NOMBRE: REACCIONES NUCLEARES.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE UNIT

The student will learn based on Bohr's model how the different reactions occur at the nuclear level.
determining the Q of the reaction and how it is distributed among the particles that are produced.

ABOUT THE THEME TOPICS INSTRUMENTATION H/T H/P EC. KEY B.

DIDACTICS
1.1 Core Model 3 A,B,C,D

1.2 Nuclear Reactors Solve problems to determine

the Q of the reaction. 3 1 A

1.3 Energy Levels of the Nucleus Will use the Nuclide Chart and the
Isotope Table 3 A

Solve problems related to

1.4 Mechanics of Nuclear Reactions the topic. 3 1 A, B.
 SUBJECT INTRODUCTION TO NUCLEAR ENGINEERING KEY 0550 SHEET 4 OF 8

No. UNIT II NOMBRE: REACCIONES NUCLEARES PRODUCTOR DE ENERGIA.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE UNIT

The student will learn what the requirements are for a nuclear reaction to be considered energy-producing.
large scale.

ABOUT THE THEME TOPICS INSTRUMENTACION H/T H/P EC. KEY B.

DIDACTICS
2.1 Radioactivity Group discussion, and solution of 3 1 A, B
problems in class.

2.2 Fission Group discussion, and problem solving 3 1 A, B

problems in class.

2.3 Fusion Group discussion, and solution of 3 A

problems in class.
 SUBJECT INTRODUCTION TO NUCLEAR ENGINEERING KEY 0550 SHEET 5 OF 8

No. UNIT III NOMBRE: INTERACCION DE LA RADIACION CON LA MATERIA.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE UNIT

The student will solve different problems involving the interaction of neutrons and photons with the nucleus.
atomic.

ON THE TOPIC TOPICS INSTRUMENTATION H/T H/P EC. KEY B.

DIDACTICS
3.1 Reactions with neutrons Problem solving and management of 5 2 A
data tables.

3.2 Photon reactions Problem Solving and Management of 5 2 A

data tables.
 SUBJECT INTRODUCTION TO NUCLEAR ENGINEERING KEY 0550 PAGE 7 OF 8

[Link] V NOMBRE: EL SISTEMA DEL REACTOR DE POTENCIA DE FISION.

PARTICULAR OBJECTIVES OF THE UNIT

The student will be able to understand the operation of nuclear fission energy generation systems and the systems of
power conversion. You will learn about the cycle of operations required to produce nuclear fuel.

# OF THE THEME TOPICS INSTRUMENTATION H/T H/P EC. KEY B.

DIDACTICS
5.1 The achievement of a chain reaction or Problem Solving. 1.0 A
criticality.

5.2 Dynamic behavior of a reactor of

Problem Solving.
fisión. 3.0 A

5.3 Neutron Spectrum. Problem Solving.

4.0 A
5.4 Critical size of a reactor. Problem Solving.
5.0 A

5.5 Nuclear Power Systems. Discusión en grupo.

3.0 A
5.6 Fuel Cycles for Fission Group discussion and solution of
Nuclear. Problems. 3.0
A
 SUBJECT INTRODUCTION TO NUCLEAR ENGINEERING KEY 0550 SHEET 6 OF 8

No. UNIT IV NOMBRE: RADIACTIVIDAD Y POTENCIA TERMICA DE DECAIMIENTO.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE UNIT

The student will determine the activity of existing nuclei in radioactive chains as a function of time.
He will apply these concepts to the nuclear reactions that occur in a nuclear reactor, determining the power.
generated as a consequence of the decay of fission products.

ON THE SUBJECT TOPICS INSTRUMENTATION H/T H/P EC. KEY B.

DIDACTICS
4.1 Radioactive Chains. Solve some examples in one 3 3 A,D
computer.

4.2 Isotopic Changes in Reactors Problem Solving 3 1 A, B

Nuclear.

4.3 Thermal Power of Problem-Solving Decay 4 1 A

Fission Products.
 SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION TO NUCLEAR ENGINEERING KEY0550 PAGE8OF8

PERIOD UNITS EVALUATION PROCEDURES

THEMES
1 1.1 to 1.4 Theory and Problems Exam.
y
2.1 to 2.3

2 3.1 to 3.2 Theory and Problems Exam.

y
4.1 to 4.4

3 5.1 to 5.3 Theory and Problems Exam.

KEY BIBLIOGRAPHY
B C
A X Foundations of Nuclear Engineering
T. J. Connolly, John Wiley & Sons, 1978.
B X Nuclear Reactor Theory
John R. Lamarsh, Addison - Wesley, 1966.
C Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, 2nd Ed.
X John R. Lamarsh, Addison - Wesley 1983.
D Nuclear Physics
X Irving Kaplan, Addison Wesley, 1963.