University General Course Catalog 2024-2025 
    
    Feb 03, 2026  
University General Course Catalog 2024-2025 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

NP 632 - Fundamentals of Nondestructive Assay

(1 units)
Overview of nondestructive assay (NDA) of nuclear materials, emphasizing gamma and neutron measurement techniques, radiation interactions, instrument calibration, gamma spectroscopy, fundamental measurement corrections, and neutron counting.  Applications focus on qualitative and quantitative measurement of uranium.  Offered only at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.  Students are responsible for all national laboratory fees and expenses associated with the course location.

Maximum units a student may earn: 1

Prerequisites: Graduate standing & instructor approval, which requires submission of pre-enrollment forms required by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (as described in the GCNP program enrollment manual) and basic knowledge of nuclear materials.

Grading Basis: Graded
Units of Lecture: 1
Offered: Every Fall - Even Years

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. apply engineering research and theory to advance the art, science, and practice of the discipline.
2. describe the role of NDA in Nuclear Material Accountability and Control programs.
3. describe the difference between qualitative and quantitative measurement systems and applications.
4. describe the origin of radiation and relevant properties of special nuclear materials.
5. demonstrate understanding of basic concepts and considerations for setting up NDA measurements.
6. demonstrate an understanding of the role of statistical uncertainty in nuclear material measurements.
7. demonstrate an understanding of the role of Measurement Control programs.
8. operate common gamma and neutron measurement NDA systems.


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