Nuclear Engineering
Overview
Nuclear engineering programs prepare people to design and build nuclear plants that produce energy.Nuclear engineering programs include topics such as:
- Nuclear reactor engineering
- Nuclear fuels
- Nuclear radiation and shielding
- Nuclear instrumentation
- Human and environmental factors
Schools
Community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in nuclear engineering. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree, students can transfer to a college or university for further study.
Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in nuclear engineering. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four or five years of full-time study.
Several universities offer graduate degrees in nuclear engineering. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Applied Mathematics
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Computational Mathematics
- Engineering Mechanics
- Engineering Physics
- Engineering Technology, General
- Engineering, General
- Environmental Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Metallurgical Technology
- Physics
- Pre-Engineering
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
- Aerospace Engineers
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Chemical Engineers
- Civil Engineers
- Engineering Technicians
- Mechanical Engineers
- Petroleum Engineers
- Safety Engineers
- Wind Energy Engineers
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Biology
- Calculus
- Chemistry
- Computer Science and Programming
- English Composition
- Physics
- Trigonometry
Graduate Admissions
Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree in engineering (or perhaps physics), good grades, and good test scores.
Additional requirements at some schools include:
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
- Letters of recommendation
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Calculus
- Chemistry
- Economic and Environmental Aspects of Nuclear Energy
- Electronic Circuits
- Engineering Physics
- English Composition
- Fluid Mechanics
- Introduction to Computer Science
- Ionizing Radiation
- Linear Differential Equations
- Mechanics
- Mechanics of Materials
- Nuclear Radiation Detection and Instrumentation
- Nuclear Reactor Design
- Nuclear Reactor Theory
- Physics of Nuclear Reactors
- Senior Design Project
- Statistics
- Thermodynamics
Graduate Program Courses
A master's program typically includes the following:
- Required courses
- Thesis
Things to Know
Most engineering jobs require a lot of writing and clear communication. Taking writing and other humanities courses will develop your communication skills.
Some bachelor's programs combine work experience with classes, and may take five or six years to complete. This work experience teaches skills, helps build job contacts, and you may be paid while you work.
To become licensed by your state to work as an engineer, you must have a degree from an accredited engineering program. You also need several years of work experience and must pass an exam. Many people take the exam at the same time they graduate or soon after.
Schools
East Side Area
Washington State University - Pullman
- Nuclear Materials (Graduate Certificate)