96235 - Weapons of Mass Destruction Non-Proliferation Science and Policy
Course Overview
Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Non-Proliferation Science and Policy is an interdisciplinary introduction to the global non-proliferation environment, including discussion of arms control and nuclear security, U.S. and international agencies responsible for development and implementation of nonproliferation policies, the technical, social and political dynamics underlying the development of WMD in selected countries, and threats posed by non-state actors. The course will review current nonproliferation treaties and the technological approaches available to verify and implement these policies and treaties. Impacts of selected emerging technologies on the challenges facing the WMD nonproliferation efforts will be included in the course assignments and discussions.
What You'll Learn
Participants will be provided a series of reading assignments selected to encourage critical thinking on diverse topics. These readings will be the basis for required position papers and class discussion. This course will provide participants with an understanding of the following concepts:
- Technical foundations necessary for describing problems and challenges associated with WMD.
- Frameworks for analyzing WMD proliferation problems and challenges, and for developing solutions to address them.
- The history of nonproliferation initiatives and the existing international efforts to address the WMD proliferation problem.
- Current challenges to the nuclear nonproliferation regime and discuss possible approaches to addressing these challenges.
Who Should Attend
This course is intended for professionals, upper-level undergraduate students, and graduate students in social sciences (including national and global security policy), physical sciences, or engineering who have an interest in understanding the nexus between science and policy. This course has no pre-requisites and encourages the inclusion of diverse perspectives in both academic discipline and experiences.Additional Information
Must attend 80% of sessions to receive Certificate of Completion.
This course is offered through UNM Nuclear Engineering.
The UNM Nuclear Security Program was developed to ensure that the next generation of nuclear security experts are prepared for the challenges of this growing, global industry.
The program is in partnership with UNM Nuclear Engineering, the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration Office of International Nuclear Security (NNSA-INS) and experts from Sandia, Los Alamos, and Idaho National Laboratories.
UNM Staff, Faculty and Retirees can use their Tuition Remission benefit on professional development programs.