Minor in Nuclear Engineering
Description of the Minor
The minor in nuclear engineering is designed to provide undergraduate students from other appropriate engineering or science programs with the fundamental concepts and practices of nuclear physics and nuclear engineering. It is designed to provide students with the essentials for employment in nuclear-related fields. Students considering nuclear graduate programs would also benefit from the minor in nuclear engineering. The courses designed for this minor will cover the nuclear engineering areas necessary to achieve the program learning outcomes.
Minor Educational Objectives
The Minor in Nuclear Engineering will prepare graduates to:
Meet the expectations of employers and the broader industry by gaining up-to-date technical knowledge and skills, equipping them for careers, leadership roles, or entrepreneurial opportunities within the nuclear energy sector.
Pursue further academic studies or professional development in nuclear engineering, contributing to advancements in reactor technology, safety protocols, and sustainable energy solutions.
Minor Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Minor in Nuclear Energy, graduates will be able to:
- Apply core nuclear engineering principles to the analysis of the functioning, safety, and materials performance in nuclear systems and applications of nuclear technology.
- Develop problem-solving skills related to design, operation, thermal-hydraulics, and safety challenges in nuclear reactor systems and nuclear applications.
- Design nuclear engineering solutions for optimal performance, material reliability, and safety in real-world nuclear systems, operation, and applications.
- Evaluate nuclear energy technologies' environmental, economic, and social benefits, maximizing positive outcomes for communities and industries.
Minor Requirements
Minor in Nuclear Engineering Requirements
The Minor in Nuclear Engineering comprises 15 credit hours. Students are required to complete five courses out of the seven courses listed in the table below. It is permissible for students to double-count up to one course from their major, provided it is an equivalent to one of the courses offered in the Nuclear Engineering minor.
| NUCE 301 | Radiation Science & Health Physics | 3 |
| NUCE 303 | Mechanics & Thermal-hydraulics Principles for Nuclear Engineering | 3 |
| NUCE 304 | Evaluative Methods for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Security | 3 |
| NUCE 401 | Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics | 3 |
| NUCE 402 | Introduction to Nuclear Systems and Operation | 3 |
| NUCE 352 | Materials in Nuclear Power Plants | 3 |
| NUCE 404 | System Code Analysis in Nuclear Engineering | 3 |