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Nuclear Engineering involves the practical application of the principles of nuclear science for the benefit of human kind. It provides the engineer or scientist with the opportunity to work on challenging problems that are vitally important to the modern world. The objective of the program is to provide students with a strong academic background that enables them to pursue professional careers in nuclear and radiation-based industries, or to pursue graduate study in nuclear engineering or related fields such as medical physics, health physics, or another engineering field. The program especially appeals to students with an interest in applying advanced technologies, mathematics, science, and computer science and engineering. Students can readily minor in Environmental Engineering or in Engineering Mechanics. A concurrent major with Mechanical Engineering is also offered. Students entering the concurrent majors program must first enter Mechanical Engineering and then add Nuclear Engineering as the second major.
Is Nuclear Engineering for You?
The first two years of the program stress fundamentals in mathematics, chemistry, physics, computer programming, thermal science, and engineering sciences such as mechanics and materials. The last two years provide the breadth and depth in nuclear science, behavior of heat and fluids, reactor theory and engineering, application of computers to engineering, and radiation measurement. The laboratory work includes experiments using the University's 1000 kilowatt research reactor. A senior capstone design course integrates the critical elements of reactor theory, reactor engineering, safety considerations, and economic optimization into a reactor design. Electives enable students to extend their knowledge in radiation science and engineering, radioactive waste management, power plant modeling, or to have individualized research and design projects. Students can use such projects to fulfill a technical elective. A particular strength of the program is the ability of students to work one-on-one with the faculty on current research and engineering projects.
Program Educational Objectives
The overall educational objective of the Nuclear Engineering program is to prepare our graduates to function effectively in the marketplace in a wide range of career paths in Nuclear Engineering. The technical part of the curriculum, emphasizes power engineering, which refers to complex systems used to generate electricity. Because our emphasis in power engineering is strong, and because a shortage for this expertise exists in the industry, generally the industry values our graduates highly. We recognize that nuclear science is an important growth area. We constantly assess and review the needs of our undergraduate students and their most frequent employers and use this feedback to consider revisions to our curriculum so that it is responsive to the needs of our constituents.
Accordingly, we will maintain and provide a curriculum that prepares our graduates such that:
- At graduation our graduates will work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, communicate effectively and recognize the global, societal and ethical aspects of their work.
- Within two to three years of graduation, the majority of our B.S. graduates are expected to:
- be working in industry, especially power engineering,
- be working in government agencies or national laboratories,
- be pursuing advanced degrees.
- After five to ten years we expect that many of our graduates will have established strong records of achievement at various technical and managerial levels in industry and government.
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NucE Program Outcomes
Student Scholarships
Fifth through eighth-semester students are eligible to receive departmental scholarship support through the Industry Needs Nuclear Engineers Fund (INNEF) and other departmental funds. There are numerous internships and co-op opportunities available. For example, a formal internship program exists with Exelon Corporation. Students have summer employment opportunities at government research laboratories, reactor vendors, and nuclear utilities and service groups. External scholarships supported by the National Academy for Nuclear Training, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the American Nuclear Society are also available.
Career Opportunities
Typical salaries tend to be near or at the top for four-year engineering majors, with most students receiving multiple offers in their field. Many graduates are employed by electric power companies that use nuclear power plants, or by companies that help service and maintain these plants. They use their knowledge of engineering principles, radioactive decay, interactions of radiation with matter and nuclear reactor behavior to help assure that the power plants meet the demand for reliable, economic electricity while ensuring a safe environment. Graduates develop and use complex computer models and sophisticated monitoring systems, design systems to handle radioactive waste, determine if the materials in the plant are degraded, or manage the fuel in the reactor to obtain maximum energy. They also work in branches of the government as designers of the next generation of reactors for submarines,aircraft carriers, space probes, regulation of nuclear power or radiation uses; or in research to develop advanced technologies that will be used in next-generation power plants. Graduates who want to enter in the fields of health physics, radiation biology, or nuclear medical applications find this degree to be a useful preparation.
For more information please visit the web site at http://www.mne.psu.edu, or contact either Dr. Martin Trethewey, Professor-in-Charge of the Undergraduate Programs in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering by E-Mail or by phone at (814) 863-1503, or contact Dr. Jack Brenizer, Program Chair for the Nuclear Engineering Program by E-Mail or by phone at (814) 863-6384. Nuclear Engineering is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012; 410-347-7700; www.abet.org.
Student Societies and Organizations
Adviser and contact information can be found at
http://www.mne.psu.edu/organizations.htm.
1. Alpha Nu Sigma (Honor Society)
2. American Nuclear Society (ANS)
Other Links about Nuclear Engineering
American Nuclear Society (ANS)
Nuclear Energy Institute
Virtual Tour of a Boiling Water Nuclear Reactor
60 Minutes Report on Nuclear Power
The Browns Ferry Nuclear reactor in Alabama restarts after 22 years
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