Major: Nuclear Engineering
U.S. Department of Energy
It wasn’t long ago that scientists first began to split the atom, releasing nuclear energy in a process called fission. Now nuclear energy is used to supply electricity to homes all over the world and may someday be used to power rockets twice as fast as a space shuttle. And in medicine, radiation plays a big role, making possible everything from x-rays to treatments that destroy cancer cells.
Of course, nuclear energy also creates problems, such as the radioactive waste from nuclear power plants. As a nuclear engineering major, your studies will go beyond the basics of fission and the benefits of nuclear energy to include its challenges.
Nuclear engineering majors study radioactive materials and radiation and learn how to use them in areas such as power, nuclear medicine, and industry.
“The idea that something -- radiation particles -- you cannot see can do so much is an exciting concept.”
Natalie, junior, nuclear engineering, Purdue University
Are You Ready To...?
- Take possibly up to five years to graduate
- Choose a specialty, such as power, environmental issues, or health
- Complete design projects that take on real-world problems
- Spend a summer or semester interning
- Work as part of a team
- Learn to write about your work
- Defend your major to others
It Helps to Be...
A math and science fan who loves the world of science fiction and wants to tackle tough problems in energy, health, or the environment.
College Checklist
- Is the department accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology?
- Are there any special admission requirements?
- Does the department focus on nuclear power engineering or health physics? Or both?
- Will you have the chance to work on a research project with a professor?
- Will you have the same access to the labs as grad students?
- Will the department help you find an internship?
- Does the department have a student section of the American Nuclear Society?
Did You Know?
- Over seventeen million nuclear medical procedures are performed in the
Course Spotlight
As a nuclear engineering senior, you’ll most likely take one or two classes in nuclear engineering design. You may spend a whole semester working with a group of classmates to design all aspects of a nuclear power plant, a space propulsion system, an innovative way of handling nuclear waste, or some other project.
You’ll take into consideration real-world factors, such as the cost and safety of the project as well as its effects on the environment. You’ll get to apply everything you’ve learned in other courses. Plus, you’ll build practical work skills such as decision making and cooperation.
Explore this major in more depth on MyRoad™