ECE 4130

Introduction to Nuclear Science and Engineering

Topics are presented at the level of the course text: Lamarsh and Baratta, Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, 4th ed. and include the fundamentals of nuclear science and engineering: nuclear structure, radioactivity, and reactions; interaction of radiation with matter; radiation protection and shielding; the neutron chain reaction and its control; light water reactors, isotope separation, fuel reprocessing, and waste disposal; heat transfer, accidents, atmospheric dispersion; and reactor licensing and safety.

ECE4840/ECE5840

Fusion Energy

Introduction to the physical principles and various engineering aspects underlying power generation by controlled fusion. Topics include: fuels and conditions required for fusion power and basic fusion-reactor concepts, fundamental aspects of plasma physics relevant to fusion plasmas and basic engineering problems for a fusion reactor, and an engineering analysis of proposed magnetic and/or inertial confinement fusion-reactor designs.

ECE6810/AEP6060/EAS5810

Introduction to Plasma Physics

Topics include plasma state; motion of charged particles in fields; drift-orbit theory; coulomb scattering, collisions; ambipolar diffusion; elementary transport theory; two-fluid and hydromagnetic equations; plasma oscillations and waves, CMA diagram; hydromagnetic stability; and elementary applications to space physics, plasma technology, and controlled fusion.

MAE6540

Plasmas for Propulsion

This course covers the physics, thermodynamics, and mechanics of ionized fluids for propulsion applications. This course begins by introducing principles of statistical thermodynamics to derive distribution functions for the fluid description of charged particles. Electrohydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic continuum models are introduced and applied to equilibrium problems ranging from the transport of a multi-species charged liquid in a propellant reservoir to the acceleration of a supersonic plasma flow. Both continuum and kinetic approaches are applied to understand the key principles and non-linear phenomena pertinent to the design and operation ion engines, Hall thrusters, and generic ion plumes

ECE 6960

Principles of Plasma Diagnostics

This graduate level course is an introduction to the physical processes used to measure the properties of plasmas. We will cover diagnostics suitable for a wide range of plasmas, including magnetically confined fusion plasmas, low temperature plasmas such as Hall thrusters, and high-energy-density plasmas.

ASTRO 6531

Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics

This course will survey fluid dynamics (including magnetohydrodynamics and some plasma physics) important for understanding astronomical phenomena. Topics include basic fluid and MHD concepts and equations, waves and instabilities of various types (e.g., sound, gravity, Rossby, hydromagnetic, spiral density waves; Rayleigh-Taylor, thermal, Jeans, rotational, magnetorotational instabilities), shear and viscous flows, turbulence, shocks and blast waves, etc. These topics will be discussed in different astrophysical contexts and applications, such as atmosphere and ocean, star and planet formation, compact objects, interstellar medium, galaxies and clusters.

ASTRO 6530

Astrophysical Processes

Astronomers learn about cosmic phenomena via radiation: electromagnetic (photons), non-photonic (neutrinos, cosmic rays), and, within the past decade, gravitational. So, it is essential to understand how radiation is produced, the interactions it experiences as it travels through the universe, and how these processes can be observed and interpreted. This course will provide a broad overview of primarily electromagnetic radiation, although we will briefly discuss other forms.