Description

This module covers the basics of designing and evaluating physical protection systems for nuclear facilities. The module takes approximately 3 hours to complete. Students taking this module should have a working knowledge of basic algebra.

Students taking this module should have a working knowledge of basic algebra.

Learning Objectives

• Students completing this module should develop an understanding of the performance-based methodology used to design and evaluate a physical protection system to protect nuclear material from theft or sabotage. Students should be able to describe the three main elements of a physical protection system (Detection, Delay, and Response), how they are evaluated, and how they are interdependent. The student should also understand how the Design Basis Threat (DBT) is determined and used when evaluating the effectiveness of a physical security system.

Description

In this module, students will be introduced to the basic nuclear fuel cycle including the different processes involved and the basic physics of the fundamental components. The module takes approximately 5 hours to complete. Students taking this module should have a working knowledge of basic algebra and a basic understanding of physics and chemistry.

Students taking this module should have a working knowledge of basic algebra and a basic understanding of physics and chemistry.

Learning Objectives

• Students completing this module will be able to describe all of the steps in military and civilian nuclear fuel cycles and be able to perform basic analysis of known fuel cycles. Students should be able to describe how fuel cycle facilities operate and the materials used and produced by those facilities.

Description

In this module, we will cover some of the basic concepts in statistics applied to measurements and derived quantities. The module takes approximately 2 hours to complete. Students taking this module should have a working knowledge of basic algebra and calculus.

Students taking this module should have a working knowledge of basic algebra and calculus.

Learning Objectives

• Characterize a measured dataset using a mean and a standard deviation
• Explain how probability distributions relate to measured datasets and how they can be used to estimate the likelihood that a measurement will fall within a certain interval of a mean value
• Describe the difference between systematic and random uncertainties and how this relates to accuracy and precision
• Use propagation of variance to estimate the uncertainties to derived quantities

Description

This module is an introduction to the terms and concepts related to nuclear security and safeguards. The module takes approximately 4 hours to complete. 

Learning Objectives

• After completing this course, students will be able to understand the importance of nuclear security and safeguards and their relationship to the IAEA, be knowledgeable on the legal agreements that brought about the modern safeguards system, and comprehend the various approaches to implementing a safeguards regime. Students should also be able to identify the elements of a nuclear security system and perform some basic nuclear threat assessments.

Description

This module describes the insider threats facing an organization and analyzes the complex nature of insider threats. It also describes how organizations and individuals can secure themselves against this threat and prepare to respond if an attack occurs. The module takes approximately 2 hours to complete. Students taking this course should have first completed the NSSEP Physical Security Systems module to understand the basics of multi-path analysis and the Adversary Sequence Diagram as it relates to outsiders attempting to gain access to materials in a facility.

Students taking this course should have first completed the NSSEP Physical Security Systems module to understand the basics of multi-path analysis and the Adversary Sequence Diagram as it relates to outsiders attempting to gain access to materials in a facility.

Learning Objectives

• By the end of this module, students will have an understanding of who an insider is and the types of threats they pose to an organization. Students will also have basic knowledge regarding what motivates an insider to commit an attack and how to combat such attacks. Prominent historic cases of insider attacks will assist the student in visualizing these attacks in practice.

Description

In this module, the elements of containment and surveillance, as used in nuclear safeguards, will be introduced. The module takes approximately 2 hours to complete. Students taking this module should have a basic understanding of nuclear nonproliferation and applied nuclear material safeguards.

Learning Objectives

• explain the need and intent of containment and surveillance
• define containment and surveillance
• identify equipment commonly used in containment and surveillance
• explain how containment and surveillance can be used at a facility to supplement material accountancy

Description

This is a beginner’s module for basic radiation detection. It covers the physical mechanisms behind the detection of gamma and neutron radiation and the different detectors used. The module takes approximately 6 hours to complete. Students taking this module should have a working knowledge of basic algebra and have completed the Introduction to Statistics and the Basic Nuclear and Atomic Physics NSSEP modules.

Learning Objectives

• Students completing this module will be able to describe the physical mechanisms for the detection of gamma and neutron radiation. They will also be able to identify and explain the general operation of gas-filled, scintillation, and semiconductor detectors.

Description

This module provided by the Centre for Nuclear Security Science and Policy Initiatives covers the basics of nuclear and atomic physics and takes approximately 3 hours to complete. Students taking this module should have a working knowledge of basic algebra.

Learning Objectives

• describe the structure of the atom, the constituents of the nucleus, and different types of radiation. give definitions of basic nuclear physics terms and units of measure
• use a periodic table and chart of the nuclides to identify specific isotopes and elements and their properties
• explain the interactions of radiation with matter and the physics of nuclear fission
• complete simple calculations using energy and mass relationships, atomic density, and radioactive decay

Description

This module provided by the Centre for Nuclear Security Science and Policy Initiatives explains the different types of statistical analysis used in nuclear safeguards and takes approximately 3 hours to complete. Students taking this module should have a working knowledge of basic algebra and calculus. They should have completed the NSSEP Introduction to Nuclear Safeguards and Security, Introduction to Statistics, and Nuclear Material Accountancy modules.

Learning Objectives

• Students completing this module will be able to apply statistical analysis to various diversion detection scenarios, including detecting diversion through material accountancy, statistical analysis of MUF and MUF uncertainty, measurement control, and sampling

Description

This online module describes the methods used to safeguard uranium enrichment facilities. Students taking this course should have first completed the Basic Nuclear and Atomic Physics, Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Containment and Surveillance, and Nuclear Material Accountancy modules.

Learning Objectives

• After completing this course, students should be able to understand the basic physical principles behind uranium enrichment and will have an understanding of the systems used to safeguard uranium enrichment facilities. The description of the safeguards systems includes the techniques, tools, and goals of uranium enrichment safeguards.