Experience of Specialists Training at the Level of Master of Sciences Degree in Nuclear Materials Physical Protection, Control and Accountability at Moscow State Engineering Physics Institute (Technical University)

Within the framework of the joint GOSATOMNADZOR (Russia)/DOE (USA0 project, the first in the work Master of Sciences (MS0 Graduate Program for young specialists training in nuclear materials physical protection, control and accountability (MPC&A) has been developed and is a reality now at Moscow State Engineering Physics Institute (Technical University, MEPhI). The methodological basis of the MS Graduate Program was developed using a systematic approach to creation of mutually linked lecture courses, laboratory works, practical lessons and research works. This approach was developed in the leading scientific centers of Russia and at the U.S. National Laboratories. The result is a curriculum of instructions based on an integrated MPC&A system design methodology. The first generation of specialists in MPC&A was graduated from MEPhI in April 1999. The Paper presents an analysis of the demands for young experts in MPC&A in Russia and in the peculiarities of academic instructions on MPC&A problems. Authors discuss the development problems for new lecture courses and laboratory works, their mutual correlation; the role of student research works; and the tasks for future extension od the MS Graduate Program. Finally, an analysis of the accumulated experience and job placement for graduates of the first generation is presented.