Master's in Civil Nuclear Propulsion and Small Modular Marine Reactors
Learn how civil nuclear energy and small modular reactors could power zero-CO2 merchant ships, from reactor physics and safety to regulation and economics. A private online professional programme with a Navalis Institute certificate.
Prior knowledge check
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What is the Master's in Civil Nuclear Propulsion and Small Modular Marine Reactors?
The Master's in Civil Nuclear Propulsion and Small Modular Marine Reactors prepares you for one of the most important technological debates in shipping: using civil nuclear energy to power merchant ships with no CO2 emissions. You will study reactor physics, small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors, integration into the ship, radiological safety, the international regulatory framework and economic viability, with a rigorous look at historical experience and current projects.
What sets it apart is its combination of a solid scientific base with the tools to assess real projects: new-generation reactor technologies, the IMO Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships, lessons from 20th-century nuclear ships and today's icebreakers, and a business view covering ownership models, insurance, port acceptance and lifecycle costs.
Programme highlights
- Solid scientific base: Nuclear physics and thermal hydraulics explained for engineers in the maritime sector.
- Next-generation technologies: Molten-salt reactors, gas-cooled high-temperature reactors and microreactors.
- Safety and regulation: The IMO Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships, the IAEA and national authorities.
- Historical lessons: Analysis of the civil nuclear ships of the 20th century and of today's icebreakers.
- Business vision: Ownership models, insurance, port acceptance and lifecycle costs.
- Anticipate the market: Get ready for a sector that may grow strongly over the coming decades.
Syllabus of the Master's in Civil Nuclear Propulsion and Small Modular Marine Reactors
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Nuclear Energy and the Decarbonisation of Shipping
- 1.1. Energy needs of shipping and the limits of alternative fuels
- 1.2. History of naval and civil nuclear propulsion
- 1.3. 20th-century nuclear merchant ships: results and lessons
- 1.4. Nuclear icebreakers in service
- 1.5. Advantages: endurance, zero CO2 emissions and cost stability
- 1.6. Challenges: safety, public acceptance, regulation and ports
- 1.7. Candidate ship types: container ships, bulk carriers and offshore vessels
- 1.8. Current international projects and consortia
- 1.9. Comparison with ammonia, methanol and hydrogen
- 1.10. Medium- and long-term adoption scenarios
Reactor Physics and Thermal Hydraulics
- 2.1. Nuclear fission, chain reaction and criticality
- 2.2. Fast and thermal neutrons: moderators
- 2.3. Reactivity control and control rods
- 2.4. Nuclear fuel: low-enriched uranium and HALEU
- 2.5. Heat generation and extraction from the core
- 2.6. Primary and secondary circuits
- 2.7. Power cycles: Rankine and Brayton
- 2.8. Dynamic behaviour of the reactor under load changes
- 2.9. Decay heat after shutdown
- 2.10. Basic simulation of reactor behaviour
Small Modular Reactors and Microreactors
- 3.1. The modular reactor concept and series manufacturing
- 3.2. Compact pressurised water reactors
- 3.3. Molten-salt reactors: principles and advantages
- 3.4. Gas-cooled high-temperature reactors
- 3.5. Lead-cooled fast reactors
- 3.6. Microreactors and nuclear batteries
- 3.7. Technology maturity and timelines of the main designs
- 3.8. Passive and inherent safety
- 3.9. Refuelling cycles and core life
- 3.10. Design selection criteria for maritime use
Integrating the Reactor into the Ship
- 4.1. Propulsion architecture: mechanical, electric and hybrid
- 4.2. General arrangement and the reactor compartment
- 4.3. Shielding and protection against collision and grounding
- 4.4. Reactor behaviour under ship motions
- 4.5. Cooling systems and ultimate heat sink
- 4.6. Electrical generation and onboard distribution
- 4.7. Auxiliary systems and redundancy
- 4.8. Maintenance and access throughout the ship's life
- 4.9. Conceptual design of a nuclear container ship
- 4.10. Assessment of weights, spaces and cargo capacity
Nuclear Safety and Radiological Protection
- 5.1. The principle of defence in depth
- 5.2. Physical barriers against the release of radioactivity
- 5.3. Emergency shutdown and cooling systems
- 5.4. Design-basis and severe accident analysis
- 5.5. Radiological protection of the crew and the public
- 5.6. Dosimetry and onboard radiological monitoring
- 5.7. Physical security and protection against unlawful acts
- 5.8. Safeguards and non-proliferation
- 5.9. Emergency plans on board and in port
- 5.10. Nuclear safety culture
International Regulatory Framework and Licensing
- 6.1. SOLAS Convention, Chapter VIII: nuclear ships
- 6.2. IMO Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships
- 6.3. International Atomic Energy Agency safety standards
- 6.4. Nuclear civil liability and international conventions
- 6.5. Role of the flag State and the nuclear regulator
- 6.6. Bilateral agreements for port calls
- 6.7. Classification societies and rules for nuclear ships
- 6.8. Licensing process for a new design
- 6.9. Ongoing international regulatory harmonisation
- 6.10. Licensing case studies
Fuel Cycle, Waste and Decommissioning
- 7.1. Nuclear fuel fabrication and supply
- 7.2. Refuelling logistics: onboard or by module exchange
- 7.3. Spent fuel: storage and transport
- 7.4. Management of operational radioactive waste
- 7.5. Decommissioning of the reactor and the ship
- 7.6. Recycling of ships with nuclear components
- 7.7. Fuel cycle costs
- 7.8. Security of nuclear material transport
- 7.9. Long-term liability
- 7.10. Integrated fuel service models
Ports, Operations and the Human Factor
- 8.1. Port requirements for receiving nuclear ships
- 8.2. Port risk assessment and emergency plans
- 8.3. Communication with authorities and local communities
- 8.4. Crewing, qualification and training
- 8.5. Reactor operators: licences and simulators
- 8.6. Normal and emergency operating procedures
- 8.7. Human factors in reactor operation
- 8.8. Maintenance during port calls and dry-dockings
- 8.9. Routes, restrictions and exclusion zones
- 8.10. Operating experience of existing nuclear fleets
Economics, Insurance and Business Models
- 9.1. Levelised cost of energy on board
- 9.2. Reactor and ship CAPEX compared with alternatives
- 9.3. Carbon price and competitive advantage
- 9.4. Energy leasing model (energy as a service)
- 9.5. Reactor ownership and responsibilities
- 9.6. Marine and nuclear insurance
- 9.7. First-of-a-kind project financing
- 9.8. Service speed and changes in logistics
- 9.9. Residual value and extended service life
- 9.10. Sensitivity analysis and investment risks
Social Acceptance, Communication and Governance
- 10.1. Public perception of nuclear energy
- 10.2. Communication lessons from nuclear projects
- 10.3. Transparency, public information and participation
- 10.4. Relations with environmental organisations and port communities
- 10.5. Geopolitics of nuclear fuel
- 10.6. Governance of international consortia
- 10.7. Ethics and intergenerational responsibility
- 10.8. Crisis management and incident communication
- 10.9. Phased implementation strategies
- 10.10. Industry roadmap for the coming decades
Final Master's Project: Feasibility Study of a Nuclear-Powered Ship
- 11.1. Selection of ship type and route
- 11.2. Definition of energy requirements and operating profile
- 11.3. Justified selection of the reactor design
- 11.4. Conceptual design of the propulsion plant
- 11.5. General arrangement and preliminary shielding
- 11.6. Preliminary safety analysis
- 11.7. Regulatory and licensing strategy
- 11.8. Port and operations plan
- 11.9. Economic study and comparison with alternatives
- 11.10. Writing the report and defence before a panel
Duration and format of the Master's in Civil Nuclear Propulsion and Small Modular Marine Reactors
It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Master's in Civil Nuclear Propulsion and Small Modular Marine Reactors
Career opportunities after the Master's in Civil Nuclear Propulsion and Small Modular Marine Reactors
Questions about the Master's in Civil Nuclear Propulsion and Small Modular Marine Reactors
Today, icebreakers and some special vessels operate. The programme analyses this experience and the projects studying its application to the merchant fleet.
No. The first modules explain reactor physics and technology from scratch for technical profiles.
Yes. Two full modules are devoted to nuclear safety, radiological protection, regulation and licensing.
Both. Engineering is combined with economics, insurance, regulation and social acceptance.
A feasibility study of a nuclear ship: conceptual design, safety, regulation and economics.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, recorded live sessions and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme has a workload of 1,500 hours. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule given to you at enrolment.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by the admissions team when you request information.
More programmes in Marine energy
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
- Profile: Degree or qualification in Naval, Mechanical, Industrial, Energy or Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or Marine Engineering; or proven professional experience in the maritime or energy sector.
- Language: sufficient command of the language of instruction to follow classes and materials; basic technical English is recommended, as much of the sector's regulation and documentation is published in English.
- Technical resources: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project defences.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enrol
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.