Part I – Deterministic modelling of nuclear fuel assemblies
Master nuclear fuel modeling: learn deterministic lattice methods, algorithms, assumptions, and limits through a flexible, expert-led 6‑week course.
About the course
The modelling of nuclear reactor systems is one of the most challenging tasks in complex system modelling, due to the many different scales and intertwined physical phenomena involved. The nuclear industry as well as the research institutes and universities heavily rely on the use of complex numerical codes, either commercially available or developed in-house.
Over six weeks, you will learn the main algorithms used in such codes for modelling nuclear fuel assemblies using deterministic methods (also known as fuel lattice calculations). The course is not about explaining how to use such software, rather to understand the underlying methods, together with their assumptions and limitations.
The course module combines access to a textbook, pre-recorded video lessons, quizzes, a course chatbot, and live sessions, giving you flexibility to learn at your own pace while benefiting from expert-led discussions and peer exchange.
The live sessions also include exercises on an industrial lattice physics code.
After completing the course, you will be able to use deterministic lattice physics codes knowing their approximations and limitations, giving you confidence in your future simulations.
Learning objectives
By the end of this course module, you will be able to:
- Formulate and manipulate the governing equations describing neutron transport under various theoretical frameworks.
- Differentiate the modelling strategies used for neutron transport.
- Weigh the limitations of the different modelling strategies.
- Use deterministic lattice physics solvers with confidence.
Content
Weeks 1-2:
Core concepts on transport phenomena in nuclear reactors (multi-physics/multi-scale aspects, neutron transport, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, modelling strategies, deterministic modelling)
Weeks 3-4:
Core concepts in neutron transport calculations at the cell and assembly levels (multigroup formalism, treatment of resonances, pin cell calculations, lattice calculations, criticality spectrum calculations, depletion calculations, cross-sections homogenization and condensation)
Weeks 5-6:
Experiencing industrial deterministic lattice calculations (input deck preparation, code running, results interpretation)
Schedule
Week 1: Kick-off
October 9, 2026, 13:00 – 15:00 (CEST), Online, Zoom (also recorded)
Week 2: Wrap-up on transport phenomena + Q&A
October 15, 2026, 13:00 – 16:00 (CEST), Online, Zoom (also recorded)
Week 3: Wrap-up on lattice calculations + Q&A
October 22, 2026, 13:00 – 16:00 (CEST), Online, Zoom (also recorded)
Week 5: workshop on using a deterministic lattice physics code
November 2, 2026, 13:00 – 16:00 (CET), Online, Zoom (also recorded)
Week 6: workshop on using a deterministic lattice physics code
November 9, 2026, 13:00 – 16:00 (CET), Online, Zoom (also recorded)
Language of Instruction
English
Price
Free for students
For professionals from developed countries: 16400 SEK excl. VAT
For professionals from emerging countries: 2640 SEK excl. VAT
Lecturer
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Course Participant profile
- MSc students, PhD students and Post-Doc students having some solid background knowledge in nuclear engineering.
- Nuclear engineers.
- Reactor physicists.
- Nuclear safety analysts.
- Research scientists in the above fields.
The course does not describe the physical phenomena occurring in nuclear reactors – the course focuses instead on how to model such phenomena in simulation platforms. It is therefore highly recommended that the course participants already have some previous solid knowledge in reactor physics or nuclear engineering.
The course nevertheless presents the derivation of all balance equations of importance from first principles. This allows the participants not familiar with reactor modelling to comprehend all concepts thoroughly.