MSc Nuclear Science and Technology / Course details

The unit covers international and national law, and policy governing the operation of nuclear processes in the UK. The topics covered include: The Nuclear Installations Act, Environmental Permitting Regulations, the current policy framework and government industrial support to the nuclear sector, nuclear site licensing, justification, Generic Design Assessment, planning and emergency planning, decommissioning and contamination, and radioactive waste management.

The unit aims to:

- Identify the principal legal and policy regimes governing the construction, operation and decommissioning of nuclear installations in the UK.

- Explain the principles, applicability and application of government policy and relevant laws and regulations in the UK nuclear sector.

- Examine the roles of the different regulators, liabilities of nuclear installation operators and the government and the management of radioactive waste.

ILO 1: Identify and explain key nuclear legislation and case law, including the relevant governing bodies, and explain the responsibility of the employer and the individual in respect of ensuring nuclear safety. 

ILO 2: Apply relevant legislation and key abstract legal points from case law and to assess the effectiveness of nuclear policy. 

ILO 3: Prepare and present reasoned legal arguments; produce structured, discursive documents using appropriate legal citation; and apply knowledge to specific potential practical problems.

ILO 4: Apply transferable skills acquired through the discussion and resolution of problems as part of a team, through the preparation of coherent and logically argued reports and by undertaking independent online and library-based research.

Students will be taught by a series of lectures with PowerPoint presentations in a fully equipped lecture room at The University of Manchester, with break-out sessions to allow students to work collectively on specified problems. Students are expected to carry out extensive reading in preparation for these sessions. Guest lecturers are invited to participate in a question and answer panel with students. The course material will be prepared and delivered to a high standard, and digital content will be made available. The learning process includes directed study, self-directed study and a variety of assessments, both in-unit and post-unit. In-unit activities will include the development of intellectual skills through group discussions. Practical examples of how the legislation is applied in the industry will be given by lecturers working in the nuclear sector.

In-class test - 1 hour, feedback returned with marks, weighting 25%

Post-unit assignment - 70 hours, feedback with marks

· An essay on nuclear policy - weighting 25%

· A case report on a court case - weighting 25%

· A problem question on nuclear liability - weighting 25%

Tromans, S ‘Nuclear Law’ 2nd Edition