REGISTER FOR CHEM 161 (fall semester only) – NUCLEAR REACTOR OPERATIONS 1 (3 CREDITS)
Classes are on Tuesday/Thursday 3:30 – 5:20 PM at the Dodgen Research Facility
Course Prerequisites: CHEM 101 or CHEM 105, which may be taken concurrently, or instructor override.
CHEM 161, Nuclear Reactor Operations 1 (NRO1) will cover foundational topics as the first of a two-part series in reactor operations at the WSU TRIGA 1 MW nuclear research reactor. NRO1 will cover introductions to nuclear theory, nuclear physics, radiation safety, health physics, reactor physics, reactor kinetics, neutron transport theory, reactor auxiliary systems, and federal regulations governing the operation of a reactor.
TO OBTAIN YOUR REACTOR OPERATOR LICENSE, YOU MUST:
- Successfully complete CHEM 161 & 162
- Able to commit to three hours of class and several hours of hands-on reactor operator training per week.
- Able to commit to a one-year post-license period to serve as a WSU Nuclear Science Center reactor operator.
Students demonstrating successful completion of CHEM 161 & 162 can sit for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission reactor operator licensing examination. Upon passing the licensing examination, students must be willing to work part-time at the reactor facility for at least one year. The reactor staff is willing to work around your schedules to provide the best learning experience possible.
REGISTER FOR CHEM 261 (spring semester only) – SENIOR NUCLEAR REACTOR OPERATIONS (3 CREDITS)
Course Prerequisites: CHEM 162 (NRO2) with a C or better, or instructor override.
Senior Nuclear Reactor Operations (SNRO) is a rigorous, in depth course on facility design, reactor operations, safety analysis, nuclear design, risk assessment, regulatory considerations, and change management controls for the WSU 1 MW TRIGA reactor. SNRO requires that the student has a firm grasp on all content covered in NRO1 and NRO2 and a reactor operator license for the WSU reactor prior to taking this course.
TO OBTAIN YOUR SENIOR REACTOR OPERATOR LICENSE, YOU MUST:
- Successfully complete CHEM 161, 162, & 262.
- Able to commit to three hours of class and several hours of hands-on reactor operator training per week.
Students demonstrating successful completion of CHEM 262 can sit for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission senior reactor operator licensing examination. Upon passing the SRO licensing examination, students must be willing to work part-time at the reactor facility as a senior reactor operator.