Program Structure and Requirements
Overall Program Structure
The MSc NUCE consists of a minimum 36 credit hours, distributed as follows: 12 credit hours of Program Core courses, 12 credit hours of Elective courses, 12 credit hours of Master’s Thesis and a zero credit Research Methods course. Students must also complete a mandatory field trip component. The curriculum flowchart for the MSc NUCE is given below, followed by the program requirements.
| Program Component |
Credit Hours |
| Seminar in Research Methods |
0 |
| Program Core |
12 |
| Program Electives |
12 |
| Master’s Thesis |
12 |
| Total |
36 |
Program Requirements
Students seeking the degree of MSc in Nuclear Engineering must successfully complete a minimum 36 credit hours as specified in the program requirements detailed below, with a minimum CGPA of 3.0. Course selection should be made in consultation with the student’s Main Advisor. All courses have a credit rating of three credits each, except the Seminar in Research Methods and the Master’s Thesis.
Program Core (12 credit hours)
Students must complete the core courses listed below.
Core Courses
Program Electives and Tracks (12 credit hours)
Students must select any four elective courses from the list below, or from any core courses listed above that are not used to meet the Program Core requirement. Subject to approval of the Main Advisor, up to two elective courses (6 credit hours) can be taken from other MSc programs in the College of Engineering at KU.
Students wishing to complete an optional specialization track, must select three of the four elective courses from one of the tracks listed below. Other tracks may be introduced depending on demand and stakeholder requirements. The track will be noted on the student’s official transcript, provided that the student fulfills the following requirements:
- Complete a minimum of three courses (9 credit hours) from the same track specialization; and
- Complete a Master’s research thesis within the domain of the track specialization.
Program Elective Courses
Nuclear Systems and PSA Track
Track Courses
Nuclear Reactor Design Track
Track Courses
Nuclear Safeguards, Security and the Fuel Cycle Track
Track Courses
Nuclear Materials and Radiation Damage Track
Track Courses
Nuclear and Radiation Safety Track
Track Courses
Master’s Thesis (minimum 12 credit hours)
Students must complete a Master’s Thesis that involves creative, research-oriented work within the broad field of nuclear engineering, under the direct supervision of a full-time faculty advisor from the Nuclear Engineering Department, and at least one other full-time faculty who acts as a co-advisor. The outcome of research should demonstrate the synthesis of information into knowledge in a form that may be used by others. The research findings must be documented in a formal thesis and defended successfully in a viva voce examination. Furthermore, the research should lead to publishable quality scholarly articles.
Thesis