3 credits
Spring 2026 Lecture Upper Division
The course focuses on the basic elements of nuclear and radiological source security. It examines methods for planning and evaluating nuclear security activities at the state and facility level, establishing nuclear security culture in different types of nuclear and radiological installations, and examines nuclear cyber and information security measures. Issues and approaches for nuclear security concerns, both state-level (e.g., nonproliferation and deterrence) and asymmetric concerns (e.g., nuclear smuggling and nuclear terrorism) will be addressed. Group exercises and simulations in applied nuclear security scenarios will complement lectures. This course is designed for both "technical" (engineering and science) and "non-technical" (policy) students and the interaction between students of different backgrounds is encouraged.
Learning Outcomes1Obtain a broad picture of nuclear security components and their interconnections, and of the planning of nuclear security activities at the state and facility level.
2Learn the basic concept of nuclear security.
3Learn the basics of nuclear security planning at the facility and state level.
4Learn proliferation efforts, framing them within the historical and security-related context.
5Create a foundational understanding of relevent security, safeguards and nonproliferation treaties and agreements.
6Leverage existing technical knowledge in coming to policy conclusions.
7Develop both a regime and state specific knowledge base.
8Illustrate understanding through technical and policy oriented exercises.
9Expand relevant technical knowledge base as well as introduce students to new instrumentation and concepts.
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