single degree

Graduate Certificate of Nuclear Technology Regulation

A single graduate award offered by the ANU College of Science

CNTR
  • Minimum 24 Units
First year student? There’s more information about enrolling in your degree.
  • Academic plan CNTR
  • Post Nominal GCNucTechReg
  • CRICOS code NO CRICOS
  • Mode of delivery
    • In Person
  • Field of Education
    • Other Natural and Physical Sci
  • Academic contact
  • Minimum 24 Units
First year student? There’s more information about enrolling in your degree.
  • Academic plan CNTR
  • Post Nominal GCNucTechReg
  • CRICOS code NO CRICOS
  • Mode of delivery
    • In Person
  • Field of Education
    • Other Natural and Physical Sci
  • Academic contact

Program Requirements

The Graduate Certificate of Nuclear Technology Regulation requires completion of 24 units from the following courses lists, of which:

12 units must come from completion of the following compulsory courses:

PHYS8201 Fundamentals of Nuclear Science (6 units)

REGN8024 Regulating Nuclear Capabilities (6 units)


A maximum of 12 units may come from completion of the following nuclear physics and nuclear security law courses:

LAWS8316 Nuclear Security Law (6 units)

PHYS8202 Reactor Science (6 units)

PHYS8204 Fundamentals of Nuclear Radiation (6 units)

PHYS8205 Nuclear Fuel Cycle (6 units)


A maximum of 6 units may come from completion of the following contextual regulation, systems engineering, science communication and public policy courses:

REGN8050 The Policy and Practice of Regulation (6 units)

ENGN8100 Introduction to Systems Engineering (6 units)

POGO8138 Science, Technology and Public Policy (6 units)

SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public (6 units)

Study Options

Year 1 PHYS8201 Fundamentals of Nuclear Science 6 units REGN8024 Regulating Nuclear Capabilities 6 units PHYS8202 Reactor Science or PHYS8205 Nuclear Fuel Cycle or PHYS8204 Nuclear Radiation or LAWS8316 Nuclear Security Law PHYS8202 or PHYS8205 or PHYS8204 or LAWS8316 or SCOM8014 - Com Sci with the Public or POGO8138 - Science Tech and Pub Policy or ENGN8100 - Intro to System Engineering or REGN8050 - Policy and Practice Regulation

Admission Requirements

Applicants must present one of the following:

  • A Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 4/7
  • A Bachelor degree with honours or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 4/7
  • A completed Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters or PhD degree with a minimum GPA of 4/7
  • 24 units of completed postgraduate courses with a minimum GPA of 4/7
  • 5 full-time equivalent years of professional experience at ANZCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program

The GPA for a Bachelor program will be calculated from (i) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades and/or (ii) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades other than those from the last semester (or equivalent study period) of the Bachelor degree. The higher of the two calculations will be used as the basis for admission.

Other requirements: Background knowledge equivalent to high-school maths study is recommended but not essential. Prospective students may wish to take a Mathematics diagnostic test to ascertain their current level of Mathematics. A Maths Diagnostic Test is available at https://mathsdiagnostic.com/LMS/login/ but prospective students may elect to use tests offered by other providers.

Prospective students who do not have the recommended background knowledge in high-school maths may wish to enrol in suitable preparatory courses prior to commencing the Graduate Certificate program. Information on the Maths Bridging Courses offered by ANU is available at https://maths.anu.edu.au/study/bridging-modules . Prospective students may also wish to undertake bridging courses by other providers.

Ranking and English Language Proficiency: At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. 

In line with the University's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors. Applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of:

  • a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or
  • demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

Further information: English language admission requirements and post-admission support

Diversity factors: As Australia’s national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe.

Assessment of qualifications: Unless otherwise indicated, ANU will accept all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or international equivalents that meet or exceed the published admission requirements of our programs, provided all other admission requirements are also met.

Where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will base assessment on the qualification that best meets the admission requirements for the program. Find out more about the Australian Qualifications Framework: www.aqf.edu.au.

Unless otherwise indicated, where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will calculate the GPA for each qualification separately. ANU will base assessment on the best GPA of all completed tertiary qualifications of the same level or higher.

ANU uses a 7-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale. All qualifications submitted for admission at ANU will be converted to this common scale, which will determine if an applicant meets our published admission requirements. Find out more about how a 7-point GPA is calculated for Australian universities: www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/tertiary-qualifications.

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

The Graduate Certificate of Nuclear Technology Regulation is designed to help individual professionals and their organisations understand, develop and apply contemporary Australian and international approaches to the effective regulation of nuclear technology. Application of nuclear technology is integral for a wide range of industries, medical facilities and scientific organisations, but presents risks of environmental, security, safety and non-proliferation. These are governed by national as well as international regimes, administered in the Australian case by the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office, and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.


This multi-disciplinary graduate certificate supports professionals with and without a technical background who work with regulatory stakeholders, including business and industry, Territory, State and Federal government agencies, the legislature, community actors and the media. It combines foundational knowledge in nuclear physics with courses on approaches to regulation and nuclear security law, and provides opportunity to focus on nuclear technology, systems engineering, science policy or communication as part of the program.

Career Options

ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.

We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.

Employment Opportunities

Commercial industry involving nuclear technology applications; Australian Commonwealth and state governments; Australian and international scientific research organisations; international agencies.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of foundational issues in the regulation of nuclear technology, in Australia and globally.

  2. Explain the principles and properties of nuclear physics of relevance to the regulation of nuclear technology.

  3. Analyse legal, technical or institutional regulatory policy problems from multiple perspectives.

  4. Communicate regulatory issues arising from the use of nuclear technology to technical and non-technical audiences, both orally and in writing.

Other Requirements

Further Information

Students with prior knowledge in nuclear physics may apply for an exemption from PHYS8201 Nuclear Fundamentals. If a student is exempt from this course, another PHYS coded course from the program orders must be taken instead.


Mathematics - assumed knowledge

  • Background knowledge equivalent to high-school maths study is recommended but not essential.
  • Prospective students may wish to take a Mathematics diagnostic test to ascertain their current level of Mathematics. A Maths Diagnostic Test is available at https://mathsdiagnostic.com/LMS/login/ but prospective students may elect to use tests offered by other providers.
  •  Prospective students who do not have the recommended background knowledge in high-school maths may wish to enrol in suitable preparatory courses prior to commencing the Graduate Certificate program. Information on the Maths Bridging Courses offered by ANU is available at https://maths.anu.edu.au/study/bridging-modules. Prospective students may also wish to undertake bridging courses by other providers.


Mode of delivery:

This Graduate Certificate can be only be completed in person and is currently only available to domestic students.


Workload:

  • This program can be completed full-time with Semester 1 commencement.
  • This program cannot be completed full-time with Winter Session or Semester 2 commencement.

Applicants should note that courses listed in the program requirements include Summer and Winter Session courses. When applying for admission, please ensure the correct admit term is selected.


General program information:

This program is a standalone qualification but can also be used as pathway to further postgraduate study. For detailed information on potential destination Masters programs offered by the Australian National University please check the Programs and Courses catalogue or, for quick links to programs offered by the College of Science visit https://science.anu.edu.au/study/masters


GC Nuclear Technology Regulation - pathway to Masters

The Graduate Certificate of Nuclear Technology Regulation can be used as pathway to Masters study. For information on potential destination Masters programs please check the Programs and Courses catalogue. Students using this program as a pathway to a destination Masters program are encouraged to seek academic advice from the relevant College's Students Services Office prior to finalising their application for admission, or at any time during the program.


Pathway 1: Direct application to the destination Masters program upon completion of the Graduate Certificate

Students can apply to progress to a destination Masters degree if they satisfy the following conditions:

  • They are about to complete or have completed the Graduate Certificate of Nuclear Technology Regulation.
  • They are on track to satisfy the admission requirements for the intended Master program including all GPA and cognate requirements (8 relevant courses which may be achieved from multiple complete or non-complete qualifications).

Note:

  • Student should re-apply for admission to ANU through the relevant application portal.
  • Students may be eligible to receive up to 24 units of credit from the Graduate Certificate of Nuclear Technology Regulation towards the destination Masters degree. This will depend on the program requirements of the destination Masters program and a case-by-case assessment by the program convener. Students should discuss credit with the convener of the destination Master degree when making enrolment choices for the Graduate Certificate.


Pathway 2: Degree transfer from the Graduate Certificate before completion of the Graduate Certificate

Students also have the option of applying for degree transfer into the destination Master program if they satisfy the following conditions:

  • The overall GPA requirements for admission to the destination Masters degree are satisfied from a previous qualification, and
  • The cognate requirements are satisfied, including any GPA requirements, and
  • Any other requirements listed in the admissions requirements of the destination Master degree are also satisfied.

Note:

  • Students may be eligible for credit for courses completed in the Graduate Certificate. This will depend on the program requirements of the destination Masters program and a case-by-case assessment by the program convener. Students should discuss credit with the convener of the destination Masters degree when making enrolment choices for the Graduate Certificate.
  • Students that progress to Masters through degree transfer will not be awarded nor receive a testamur for the Graduate Certificate of Nuclear Technology Regulation. They will be invited to attend a conferral of award ceremony upon successful completion of their Masters degree and will receive a testamur for this qualification.


Credit for courses completed in the Graduate Certificate

The amount of credit awarded will depend on an assessment of prior study, relevant to the destination Masters degree and program orders of the destination Masters degree. This is done on a case-by-case basis by the program convener. Any credit applied will reduce the overall duration of the destination Masters program by an equivalent number of units.

Academic Advice

The first step to enrolling in your new program is to seek academic advice in order to discuss the courses you will be studying. This is done by making an appointment to meet with the program convener (details below).

Your academic advice session is a great opportunity to discuss with the convener the direction in which you want your studies to go. The convener will be able to advise you about course selection and content of courses that you will undertake as part of your program. Ideally you should bring along a copy of your academic record/academic transcripts as these will greatly assist your convener when giving you course advice.

To book an appointment you can email: pec.physics@anu.edu.au

Please also bring along your Planning Your Program document that is available from the enrolment website and your Postgraduate coursework checklist for new studentsThese documents will help you plan your degree and assist you with finalising your enrolment. 

Further enrolment information can also be found here: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/enrolment/enrol-for-the-first-time-as-a-cours...

Please follow each step and read through the pdf guides available under "additional resources".

An indicative list of courses offered by the College of Science can be found here: https://students.science.anu.edu.au/program-admin/courses/master-degree-courses.

If you have any issues enrolling yourself through ISIS please contact us by emailing science.enquiries@anu.edu.au


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