SEST-561 Nuclear Technologies and Security

Ferguson

This course examines the impact of nuclear technology on national and global security. First, the course reviews the past hundred years of revolution and evolution in nuclear technology. Then it focuses on the technological issues of the nuclear fuel cycle, uranium enrichment, plutonium reprocessing, nuclear weapon design, nuclear reactor operation, as well as nuclear explosive and radiation effects. This coverage will be accessible to non-scientists while providing the connection to security issues that students with scientific backgrounds may not have studied in-depth. After establishing this conceptual foundation, the course will turn to the security challenges stemming from nuclear technology, including the nuclear black market, nuclear proliferation indicators, nuclear proliferation resistant fuel cycles and reactors, nuclear terrorism, and radiological terrorism. It will also address nuclear technological development within the United States, Russia, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, and other nations that have a latent capability to build nuclear weapons.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

Course syllabi
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Spring '06: Ferguson, C. (file download)

Additional syllabi may be available in prior academic years.

Other academic years
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• 2006-2007 Fall and Spring
• 2007-2008 Fall and Spring
• 2008-2009 Fall and Spring
• 2009-2010 Fall and Spring
• 2010-2011 Fall and Spring
• 2011-2012 Fall and Spring
• 2012-2013 Fall and Spring
• 2013-2014 Fall and Spring

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