Minor in Nuclear Engineering

The Minor in Nuclear Engineering is designed to provide undergraduate students from other appropriate engineering programs (mechanical, electrical, chemical etc.) with the fundamentals of nuclear physics and engineering theory and practice, necessary to equip them with a sound understanding of nuclear engineering.

The fundamental principle of nuclear power is to harness the energy released when a nuclear reaction results in the splitting of the uranium atom, a process called nuclear fission, which also results in the creation of ionizing radiation. The courses designed for this Nuclear Engineering Minor will cover the following three fundamental nuclear engineering areas of study necessary to achieve the program goals and learning outcomes given below:

• Radiation Science and Health Physics
• Nuclear Reactor Physics
• Nuclear Systems and Operation

Goals

The goals of the program are:

• To provide graduates with fundamental knowledge in nuclear engineering.
• To enable graduates to relate nuclear engineering theory to practice.
• To equip graduates with design and problem solving skills in nuclear engineering.
• To prepare graduates for careers as nuclear engineering professionals.
• To encourage graduates to pursue self-learning and personal development experiences.

Student Learning Outcomes

A student graduating with a Minor in Nuclear Engineering will be able to:

• Demonstrate a basic level of understanding in nuclear engineering.
• Practice a sound level of nuclear safety awareness and culture.
• Analyze and characterize existing nuclear engineering systems.
• Design the basics of a nuclear engineering system, component, or process to meet desired needs.
• Use the basic techniques, skills and modern tools necessary for nuclear engineering practice.
• Conduct supervised investigation in the field of nuclear engineering with rigor and discrimination.
• Communicate and write appropriately in the area of nuclear engineering.
• Understand the basics of regulatory and ethical issues and professional responsibility related to nuclear engineering.
• Realize the impact of nuclear engineering in a global and societal context.
• Recognize the need for, and engage in, life-long learning.