Responsible management of Australia's nuclear capabilities is a complex regulatory problem. Australia exports, but does not enrich, uranium; it uses nuclear technology for scientific and medical purposes, but not for power generation; it is globally ranked as a leading exponent of nuclear safeguards but is also a partner in AUKUS -- the 2021 agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States to share defence technologies and know-how. Amongst other things, this commits Australia to developing a nuclear-propelled submarine fleet. To do this, Australia must manage the life-cycle of multiple mobile reactors, their fuel and their environments. AUKUS makes Australia unique, as the first non-nuclear power to adopt nuclear technology for non-peaceful purposes. This course unpacks the multi-layered, multi-actor landscape of Australia's nuclear capabilities at the domestic, multilateral and international level. It examines the legal and regulatory frameworks and institutions for managing civilian and military applications; the risks that attach to civilian and military applications of nuclear materials and how these risks are managed; the regulatory culture of nuclear technologies and the organisations responsible for them; and how current and future domestic frameworks connect to Australia's transnational and global obligations.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Identify and understand core elements, stages and types of risk in the nuclear fuel cycle
2. Describe the key state and non-state regulatory actors in Australia, their enabling legislation and regulatory tools including ASNO (Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office); ARWA (Australian Radioactive Waste Agency), ARPANSA (Australian Radioactive Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency) and the ACT Radiation Council and its equivalents and the organisations to which they apply these
3. Analyse core concepts in the international nuclear safeguards regime, Australia's relationship with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and how concepts such as nuclear stewardship are understood within and outside Australia
4. Be able to contribute to informed debate about regulatory challenges likely to emerge in Australia and within the Indo-Pacific region as nuclear capabilities are applied for defence purposes
5. Craft succinct and well-argued writing that synthesizes scientific evidence, regulatory theory, legal requirements and an understanding of organizational cultures and practice in relation nuclear materials.
   

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Nuclear Physics 101 – the production cycle and effects of nuclear materials Nuclear capabilities – civilian and military uses of nuclear materials and technologies in Australia and internationally	In class participation (all)(continues each week) Electronic submission of two questions for each session, submitted prior to class (schedule individual contributions)
2	Regulatory Frameworks : Internationals safeguards regimes , the International Atomic Energy Agency Regulatory Frameworks: Australian compliance and safeguards regulation	As above + Individually scheduled, starting this week: Leading one in-class informal discussion or formal debate, including a 1000-word précis of relevant reading(s)
3	Regulatory Frameworks: Preventative Safety in Australia and the role of ARPANSA Managing Risk: Regulatory actors and regulated businesses	As above
4	Managing Risk: Regulatory landscapes in the U.S., U.K., E.U and Asia Managing Risk: Organizational factors, safety culture and IAEA safety standards	Deadline: Research and writing outline for an essay or scholarly blog post - 1000 words
5	Systems failure case-studies Regulating technology, regulating humans – the interface of new technologies and behavioural insights	Leading one in-class informal discussion or formal debate, including a 1000-word précis of relevant reading(s) Essay or scholarly blog post - 3000 words

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
In class participation	10 %	18/05/2023	1,2,3
Questions for presenters	10 %	18/05/2023	4
Reflection on a selected reading	30 %	15/05/2023	3,4
Research and writing outline for an essay or scholarly blog post	20 %	11/05/2023	4
Essay or scholarly blog post	30 %	16/06/2023	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

In class participation

Active listening, questions asked in person or through Wattle email system, comments and suggestions (either in person or via email to the convenor)

At least two of these engagements during the course.

Assessment Task 2

Questions for presenters

Electronic submission of two questions relating to a session for which that student is session, submitted prior to class

Assessment Task 3

Reflection on a selected reading

Word limit: 1000-words. A précis of relevant reading(s) - either those indicated for the course, or discovered independently.  Students may be invited to present an outline of this orally in class at the approrpriate time, but that oral reflection is voluntary and not graded as part of this Assessment Task.

Assessment Task 4

Research and writing outline for an essay or scholarly blog post

Word limit: 1000 words

Assessment Task 5

Essay or scholarly blog post

Word limit: 3000 words

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

Not applicable

Late Submission

Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students