• The Open University

The Science of Nuclear Energy

Discover the science behind nuclear energy and its role in energy provision in the past, present and future.

28,198 enrolled on this course

The science of nuclear energy in action – a nuclear power station

The Science of Nuclear Energy

28,198 enrolled on this course

  • 4 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Open level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    4 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

Understand the science of nuclear power and the arguments for and against it

With the need to reduce carbon emissions around the world, the way we generate our power has to change and nuclear energy is back on the political agenda.

But do you know your fission from your fusion? Would you like to make an informed decision about whether we should get electricity from nuclear power?

This online course will delve into the science behind nuclear power, explaining what happens inside a nuclear reactor and what radioactive elements are.

It will explore the arguments for and against nuclear power, and its role in future energy planning alongside other energy sources.

Skip to 0 minutes and 9 seconds Sam Smidt: Nuclear energy, what is it? Why is it interesting? Why are so many people worried about it?

Skip to 0 minutes and 14 seconds Gemma Warriner: Over the four weeks we’ll explore four different themes, from looking into the atom and understanding nuclear fission and radioactivity.

Skip to 0 minutes and 23 seconds Sam Smidt: To generating electricity and understanding why is nuclear energy back on the political and economic agenda.

Skip to 0 minutes and 29 seconds Gemma Warriner: We’ll look at the risks of nuclear energy, both real and perceived. We’ll also examine facts around the nuclear accidents that you might of seen on the news, and finally we’ll look at the issue of nuclear waste.

Skip to 0 minutes and 42 seconds Sam Smidt: You’ll do all of this from a scientific viewpoint but you’ll also consider the social viewpoints to.

Skip to 0 minutes and 48 seconds Gemma Warriner: Finally we’ll look to the future in nuclear fusion. We’re filming at the Joint European Torus or JET facility in Culham Oxfordshire. Right now research is going on here to find a new and sustainable clean energy source.

Skip to 1 minute and 7 seconds Steve Cowley: Nuclear energy is a big part of reducing the carbon dioxide output not only of the UK but of the world. So it’s going to be a big energy source for the next decade, and in the future it may be the biggest energy source. I think the people need to understand what the issues are, they need to understand a little bit about the science, because there’s a lot of misinformation about this, and I think this course is to provide exactly that kind of information people need to know.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Into the atom

    • A diagram of an atom with a cut out section showing the nucleus. The outside region is labelled, 'region occupied by electrons'

      Atoms and isotopes

      If you look around, all the matter in the world is made up of very tiny building blocks called atoms. To gain a good understanding of the processes behind nuclear energy and radioactivity, you’ll need first to consider the atom.

    • A schematic diagram of the nucleus of the carbon-12 isotope. Protons are coloured red and labelled with p, and neutrons green and labelled with n.

      Radioactivity

      Examine what it means for an atom to be radioactive and consider the forces at play within the nucleus.

    • An illustration of neutron induced fission

      Fission

      The largest nuclei, such as uranium and plutonium, can split apart into smaller fragments and release energy as they do so. This process is called fission and is the basis of the current nuclear industry.

  • Week 2

    Using nuclear energy

    • An image of pylons in the foreground taking electricity away from the Sizewell A and B nuclear power stations on the horizon in the background

      Generating electricity

      Examine our use of electrical power and how this is produced and maintained by the National Grid.

    • An image of a nuclear power station set in a field by a river

      Nuclear power stations

      What do you need for a functioning nuclear power station? Take a look at the different types of reactor that are used around the world.

    • An image of a geiger counter with radioactive materials in the background

      Nuclear waste

      Radioactive waste remains radioactive for tens, hundreds and sometimes thousands of years. To understand why, you’ll look at the nature of radioactivity and the concept of half-life.

  • Week 3

    Is nuclear power safe?

    • An image of Three Mile Island nuclear power station on the banks of a river

      What could go wrong?

      Nuclear accidents are rare, but can have serious consequences. You’ll examine what could go wrong and what has gone wrong in past nuclear accidents.

    • An aerial view of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant

      What happened at Fukushima?

      The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant lies on the east coast of Japan in the Futaba District. In March 2011, the area suffered an earthquake followed by a tsunami which affected the power plant.

    • An image from a street inside the Fukushima Exclusion Zone

      The long-term effects

      The incidents at Fukushima and Chernobyl have long lasting consequences. What challenges is each site facing today?

  • Week 4

    A future for nuclear power?

    • CO2 Carbon Footprint symbol

      Alternative energy sources

      Consider why alternative energy sources are needed and the role that nuclear energy plays.

    • A graphical representation of fusion using deuterium and tritium

      Future developments

      Current research into nuclear energy aims to improve efficiency and reduce nuclear waste.

    • An image of a nuclear power station lit up at night on the banks of a river

      Wrapping it all up

      Round off the course with some lively debate around why we should or should not invest in nuclear energy and take the end-of-course assessment.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the physics of nuclear fission.
  • Explore how a nuclear power station works.
  • Explore and examine the problems associated with nuclear power. Weigh up and debate potential solutions to these problems.
  • Assess the energy needs today and the part that nuclear power has to play.
  • Compare and survey current and future technologies.

Who is the course for?

The course does not assume any prior knowledge of nuclear energy and can be enjoyed by anyone interested in science and becoming more informed of energy choices.

Who will you learn with?

Sam Smidt and Gemma Warriner

Sam and Gemma studied physics together and both have long experience of teaching a variety of science topics at the OU particularly looking at how science is relevant to society.

Who developed the course?

The Open University

The Open University

As the UK’s largest university, The Open University (OU) supports thousands of students to achieve their goals and ambitions via supported distance learning, helping to fit learning around professional and personal life commitments.

  • Established

    1969
  • Location

    Milton Keynes, UK
  • World ranking

    Top 510Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

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Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 12 Mar 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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