Today there are 104 commercial power reactors operating at 64 sites in the United States, generating approximately 20% of the electric power requirements of the United States.[1]  The very same factors that resulted in the surge of nuclear plant orders during the 1970s namely, the increasing price of oil and natural gas and the uncertainty of future air pollution control requirements, are at work today.  In addition, todays nuclear power industry has demonstrated substantially improved operating performance and has gained enhanced political support.  Further, the global warming issue also favors nuclear power.  These factors are now causing increased attention to be paid to nuclear plants as a viable alternative to fossil fuel central power generation to meet future electrical energy requirements.  However, there are also other issues that illustrate the controversial nature of nuclear power including the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and the consequences of an accident or a terrorist attack.  These and other topics, including a discussion of the nuclear fuel cycle to understand the issues involving the nuclear ambitions of Iran and North Korea will be explored and discussed in this course.  In addition, the course will address spent nuclear fuel transportation, which is necessary to better understand the spent nuclear fuel disposal issue.  The course will provide a basis for understanding the subtle and sometimes emotional debate that accompanies nuclear power.

• The student will understand why nuclear power is receiving renewed interest as an energy source.
• The student will understand the nuclear fuel cycle.
• The student will understand the environmental issues surrounding nuclear power.
• The student will understand spent nuclear fuel transportation.