Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear engineering is the practical application of the breakdown of atomic nuclei and/or other sub-atomic physics, based on the principles of nuclear physics. It includes, but is not limited to, the interaction and maintenance of nuclear fission systems and components-- specifically, nuclear reactors, nuclear power plants, and/or nuclear weapons. The field may also include the study of nuclear fusion, medical and other applications of (generally ionizing) radiation, nuclear safety, heat/thermodynamics transport, nuclear fuel and/or other related (e.g., waste disposal) technology, nuclear proliferation, and the effect of radioactive waste or radioactivity in the environment.

Contents [hide]

1 Typical Training

1.1 College preparation

1.2 Undergraduate coursework

1.3 Naval Nuclear Power School

2 Professional Areas

2.1 Nuclear Fission

2.2 Nuclear Fusion and Plasma Physics

2.3 Nuclear Medicine and Medical Physics

2.4 Nuclear Materials and Nuclear Fuels

2.5 Radiation Measurements and Imaging

3 Nuclear engineering organizations

4 List of U.S. colleges offering nuclear engineering degrees

5 List of colleges in Canada offering nuclear engineering degrees

6 List of colleges in India offering nuclear engineering degrees

7 List of colleges in Pakistan offering nuclear engineering degrees

8 See also

9 External links

[edit] Typical Training

The following is the typical coursework included in most U.S. nuclear engineering degree programs.

[edit] College preparation

As with any engineering discipline, college preparation should include mathematics training through the beginnings of calculus, as well as introductory courses in physics and chemistry.

[edit] Undergraduate coursework

Undergraduate coursework should begin with a foundation in mechanics and dynamics of particle motion, thermodynamics, introductory computer programming, college level physics and chemistry, and a rigorous training in mathematics through differential equations.

Midway through undergraduate training a nuclear engineer must choose a specialization within his or her field that he or she will further study. Further coursework in a nuclear engineering program includes but is not limited to fluid mechanics, reactor physics, quantum mechanics, thermal hydraulics, linear circuits, radiation effects, and neutron transport.

Specialization in fission includes the study of nuclear reactors, fission systems, and nuclear power plants, the primary teachings deal with neutronics and thermal-hydraulics for nuclear generated electricity. A firm foundation in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics in addition to hydrodynamics is a must.

Specialization in nuclear fusion includes electrodynamics and plasmas. This area is very much research oriented and training often terminates with a graduate level degree.

Specialization in nuclear medicine includes courses dealing with doses and absorption of radiation in bodily tissues. Those who get competency in this area usually move into the medical field. Many nuclear engineers in this specialization go on to become board licensed medical physicists or go to medical school and become a radiation oncologist. Research is also a common choice for graduates.

[edit] Naval Nuclear Power School

The US Navy runs a program called Naval Nuclear Power School to train both officers and enlisted sailors for nuclear plant operation. While some officers have undergraduate backgrounds in nuclear engineering, any officers who take the requisite math and science classes are also accepted, whereas most of the enlisted students hold no college degrees at all. Despite this, they are prepared, through a rigorous training program (lasting between 65 weeks for Machinist's Mates and eighteen months for Electronics Technicians and Electrician's Mates), to operate the nuclear and steam plants aboard the navy's submarines and aircraft carriers. This training carries Department of Energy certification, and many sailors choose to work at civilian power plants after their six-year obligations are completed.

USS Virginia, a Virginia-class nuclear attack (SSN) submarine

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)), the ninth and penultimate Nimitz-class supercarrier

[edit] Professional Areas

[edit] Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is the disintegration of a fissionable atom nucleus into two different elements nucleus. An approximate number of ~2.4 neutrons are scattered around per fission. There are two types of nuclear fission. 1-Fast Fission 2-Thermal fission

Generally, thermal fission is used in commercial reactors, if we disregard the Fast Breeder Type of Nuclear Reactors.

The United States gets about 20% of its electricity from nuclear power. This is a massive industry and keeping the supply of nuclear engineers plentiful will ensure its stability. Nuclear engineers in this field generally work, directly or indirectly, in the nuclear power industry or for government labs.