Best Accredited Universities for Doctoral Phd program in Nuclear Engineering

The Nuclear Engineering offers three graduate degree programs: the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), the Master of Engineering (MEng), and the Public Policy (MPP) Nuclear Engineering (MS) Concurrent Degree Program.

The following minimum requirements apply to all graduate programs and will be verified by the Graduate Division:.

If the applicant has completed a basic degree from a country or political entity (e.g., Quebec) where English is not the official language, adequate proficiency in English to do graduate work, as evidenced by a TOEFL score of at least 90 on the iBT test, 570 on the paper-and-pencil test, or an IELTS Band score of at least 7 on a 9-point scale (note that individual programs may set higher levels for any of these) and.

The Graduate Council views academic degrees not as vocational training certificates, but as evidence of broad training in research methods, independent study, and articulation of learning. Therefore, applicants who already have academic graduate degrees should be able to pursue new subject matter at an advanced level without the need to enroll in a related or similar graduate program.

Applicants with doctoral degrees may be admitted for an additional doctoral degree only if that degree program is in a general area of knowledge distinctly different from the field in which they earned their original degree.

Applicants may apply only to one single degree program or one concurrent degree program per admission cycle.

Unofficial transcripts must contain specific information including the name of the applicant, name of the school, all courses, grades, units, degree conferral (if applicable).

Letters of recommendation: Applicants may request online letters of recommendation through the online application system. Hard copies of recommendation letters must be sent directly to the program, by the recommender, not the Graduate Admissions.

Evidence of English language proficiency:All applicants who have completed a basic degree from a country or political entity in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency. However, applicants who, at the time of application, have already completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with grades of B or better at a US university may submit an official transcript from the US university to fulfill this requirement. The following courses will not fulfill this requirement:.

Courses conducted in a language other than English,.

Courses that will be completed after the application is submitted, and.

Official TOEFL score reports must be sent directly from Educational Test Services (ETS). Official IELTS score reports must be sent electronically from the testing center to University of California, Berkeley, Graduate Division, Sproul Hall, Rm 318 MC 5900, Berkeley, CA 94720. TOEFL and IELTS score reports are only valid for two years prior to beginning the graduate program at UC Berkeley. Note: score reports can not expire before the month of June.

In order to receive the PhD in Nuclear Engineering, all students must successfully complete the following three milestones:.

Major Field (6 Graduate Level Nuclear Engineering Electives). A 3.0 GPA in the major is required.

One Technical Minor Field Outside Nuclear Engineering (2-3 courses 1 course must be graduate level). A 3.0 GPA minimum is required for both minors.

One Technical Minor Field Outside or in Nuclear Engineering (2-3 courses 1 course must be graduate level). All courses taken to fulfill the PhD course requirement must be letter-graded.

Students must pass a written screening exam during the first year in graduate study. Four of the seven areas must be passed in order the pass the exam. There are two chances to pass.

After completion of the coursework for the PhD the student takes the oral exam. The content of the exam is usually a presentation of the student research and questions relating the coursework in the outside minor.

In collaboration with other departments in the College of Engineering, Nuclear Engineering offers a one-year professional master degree. The accelerated program is designed to develop professional engineering leaders who understand the technical, environmental, economic, and social issues involved in the design and operation of nuclear engineering devices, systems, and organizations. Prospective students will be engineers, typically with industrial experience, who aspire to substantially advance in their careers and ultimately to lead large, complex organizations, including governments.

Curriculum of engineering leadership courses (8 units), and an integrative capstone project (5 units). See The Fung Institute for details.

The MEng degree requires a minimum of 25 units of coursework in three areas:.

CORE LEADERSHIP Curriculum (8 units, letter grade, required for degree).

Designed for Master of Engineering students, these courses explore key management and leadership concepts at the executive level that are relevant to technology-dependent enterprises. During the courses, students undertake rigorous case study analysis of actual business situations.

All Technical Electives must be NE graduate-level courses (200) and taken for a letter grade. Units for 298 (seminar) courses do not count for the degree.

The 9-month capstone experience will challenge you to integrate your technical and leadership skills to innovate in a dynamic, results-driven environment. Working on a team of 3 to 6 students over the course of the fall and spring semesters (5 units) you will engineer solutions using cutting edge technology and methods to address crucial industry, market or societal needs.

The Comprehensive Exam will be divided into two components, one devoted to leadership topics (to be administered by the Fung Institute), and the other to technical topics (to be administered by individual departments within COE). The exam may be written, oral, or a combination of the two.

NE students that participate in a capstone project outside of the NE department are required to highlight the NE component of their project or will be tested on NE related topics based on coursework taken.

The Master of Science Track is only accessible to students enrolled in our PhD program. Applicants interested in the Master degree are encouraged to Nuclear Engineering Master of Engineering program.

Students pursuing the MS Degree have two program options: Plan I, and Plan II.

Plan I requires at least 20 semester units of upper division (100 level) and graduate courses (200 level), plus a thesis.

Minimum 8 units of graduate-level courses in NE. Note: No than 2-299 units may count towards these 8 units. All 8 units must be taken for a letter grade (except the 299 units).

Minimum 12 units of graduate-level or upper division courses in NE or another department. Note: No than 2-299 units may count towards these 12 units.

Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to receive the degree.

Please note that you must apply for MS candidacy by submitting an application for advancement to MS candidacy using the eForm in Cal Central.

If a proposed committee member does not belong to the Academic Senate (i.e. LBL or LLNL), you are required to include a request for an exception (and the CV) together with the application for advancement to MS candidacy.

Plan II requires at least 24 semester units of upper division (100 level) and graduate courses (200 level), followed by a comprehensive final examination administered by the department. takes the form of an oral project presentation, and a written report.

Minimum 12 units of graduate-level courses in NE. Note: No than 2-299 units may count towards these 12 units. All 12 units must be taken for a letter grade (except the 299 units).

Minimum 12 units of graduate or upper division courses in NE or another department. Note: No than 2-299 units may count towards these 12 units.

Public Policy (MPP) and Nuclear Engineering (MS) Concurrent Degree Program.

Government and technology interact and with greater consequences, every year. Whether the issue area is nuclear security, environmental protection, intellectual property (copyright and the internet), health care, water or any of myriad other contexts, government agencies at all levels, non-profit organizations and private industry need people who understand technology on its own terms and also the ways government supports, controls, or directs it.

Complete required units in nuclear engineering, plus six elective agreeable to both schools.

Complete a paper that satisfies the MS Plan I or Plan II requirement, and the MPP APA (Advanced Policy Analysis) requirement.

Expand all course descriptions [+]Collapse all course descriptions [-].

Terms offered: Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2020 of the elements of nuclear technology in use today for the production of energy and other radiation applications. Emphasis is on nuclear fission as an energy source, with a study of the basic physics of the nuclear fission process followed by detailed discussions of issues related to the control, radioactivity management, thermal energy management, fuel production, and spent fuel management. A discussion of the various reactor types in use around the world will include analysis of safety and nuclear proliferation issues surrounding the various technologies. Case studies of some reactor accidents and other nuclear-related incidents will be included.Introduction to Nuclear Engineering: [+].

Course Objectives: (1) To give students an understanding of the basic concepts of nuclear energy and other radiation applications, together with an of related aspects such as proliferation and waste management.(2) To provide students an of the elements of nuclear technology in use today for the production of energy and to set those elements in the broader contest of nuclear technology.

Student Learning Outcomes: At the end of the course, students should be able to: understand basic theoretical concepts of nuclear physics, reactor physics, and energy removal describe radiation damage mechanisms in materials and biological tissue, estimate radiation dose, understand radiation shielding understand the concepts of chain reaction, neutron balance, criticality, reactivity, and reactivity control describe the main nuclear power reactor designs and identify their major components describe core components and understand their function calculate cost of electricity based on simple economic principles describe the difference between PWR and BWR in terms of core design, steam cycle, and operation understand the concept of design-basis accidents, their causes, and their consequences identify the main steps and related facilities of fuel cycle understand the fundamental aspects of used fuel reprocessing and disposal.

Credit Restrictions: This course is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Engineering degree program.

NUC ENG 201Nuclear Reactions and Interactions of Radiation with Matter4 Units.

Terms offered: Spring 2022, Spring 2020, Spring 2018 Interaction of gamma rays, neutrons, and charged particles with matter nuclear structure and radioactive decay cross sections and energetics of nuclear reactions nuclear fission and the fission products fission and fusion reactions as energy sources.Nuclear Reactions and Interactions of Radiation with Matter: [+].

Nuclear Reactions and Interactions of Radiation with Matter: Read Less [-].

NUC ENG 204Advanced Concepts in Radiation Detection and Measurements3 Units.

Terms offered: Fall 2022, Fall 2018, Fall 2015 Advanced concepts in the detection of ionizing radiation relevant for basic and applied sciences, nuclear non-proliferation, and land security. Concepts of signal generation and processing with advantages and drawbacks of a range of detection technologies. Laboratory comprises experiments to compare conventional analog and advanced digital signal processing, information generation and processing, position-sensitive detection, tracking, and imaging modalities.Advanced Concepts in Radiation Detection and Measurements: [+].

Advanced Concepts in Radiation Detection and Measurements: Read Less [-].

Terms offered: Fall 2022, Fall 2021 This course is designed to build the basic knowledge base to understand the physical principles of x-ray computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), radiologic imaging modalities using ionizing radiation. Using examples of CT, PET, and SPECT used in everyday disease management, this course will introduce theoretical foundations and practical applications for comprehensive understanding of these important noninvasive imaging techniques.Physical Principles of CT, PET, and SPECT Imaging: [+].

Course Objectives: The objective of this course is to understand physical principles of how biomedical imaging systems utilizing ionizing radiation (i.e., x-ray and gamma-ray) work.

Student Learning Outcomes: The students will have good understanding of physical principles of CT, PET, and SPECT imaging, and how these ionizing radiation imaging modalities are used in medicine and biomedical research.

Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021 Energetics and kinetics of nuclear reactions and radioactive decay, fission, fusion, and reactions of low-energy neutrons properties of the fission products and the actinides nuclear models and transition probabilities interaction of radiation with matter.Nuclear Reactions and Radiation: [+].

Course Objectives: Provide the students with a solid understanding of the fundamentals of those aspect of low-energy nuclear physics that are most important to applications in such areas as nuclear engineering, nuclear and radiochemistry, geosciences, biotechnology, etc.

Student Learning Outcomes: Calculate estimates of nuclear masses and energetics based on empirical data and nuclear models. Calculate estimates of the lifetimes of nuclear states that are unstable to alpha-,beta and gamma decay and internal conversion based on the theory of simple nuclear models. Calculate the consequences of radioactive growth and decay and nuclear reactions. Calculate the energies of fission fragments and understand the charge and mass distributions of the fission products, and prompt neutron and gamma rays from fission Calculate the kinematics of the interaction of photons with matter and apply stopping power to determine the energy loss rate and ranges of charged particles in matter Use nuclear models to predict low-energy level structure and level energies. Use nuclear models to predict the spins and parities of low-lying levels and estimate their consequences with respect to radioactive decay Use nuclear models to understand the properties of neutron capture and the Breit-Wigner single level formula to calculate cross sections at resonance and thermal energies.

NUC ENG 211MRadiation Detection and Nuclear Instrumentation Laboratory4 Units.

Terms offered: Prior to 2007 Basic science of radiation measurement, nuclear instrumentation, neutronics, radiation dosimetry. The lectures emphasize the principles of radiation detection. The weekly laboratory applies a variety of radiation detection systems to the practical measurements of interest for nuclear power, nuclear and non-nuclear science, and environmental applications. Students present goals and approaches of the experiments being performed.Radiation Detection and Nuclear Instrumentation Laboratory: [+].

Radiation Detection and Nuclear Instrumentation Laboratory: Read Less [-].

NUC ENG 215MIntroduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory4 Units.

Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021 Neutron interactions, nuclear fission, and chain reacting systematics in thermal and fast nuclear reactors. Diffusion and slowing down of neutrons. Criticality calculations. Nuclear reactor dynamics and reactivity feedback. Production of radionuclides in nuclear reactors. General aspects of nuclear core designs.Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory: [+].

Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory: Read Less [-].

NUC ENG 220Irradiation Effects in Nuclear Materials3 Units.

Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2021, Spring 2019 Physical aspects and computer simulation of radiation damage in metals. Void swelling and irradiation creep. Mechanical analysis of structures under irradiation. Sputtering, blistering, and hydrogen behavior in fusion reactor materials.Irradiation Effects in Nuclear Materials: [+].

Irradiation Effects in Nuclear Materials: Read Less [-].

Terms offered: Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2020 Effects of irradiation on the atomic and mechanical properties of materials in nuclear reactors. Fission product swelling and release neutron damage to structural alloys fabrication and properties of uranium dioxide fuel.Nuclear Materials: [+].

Course Objectives: Develop an understanding of failure mechanism in materials and their impact in nuclear technology.

Review those aspects of fundamental solid state physics that are pertinent to understanding the effects of radiation on crystalline solids.Show how radiation, particularly by fast neutrons, affects the mechanical properties of fuel, cladding, and structural materials in a reactor core.

Student Learning Outcomes: Analyze the processes of fission gas release and swelling of reactor fuel. Deal with point defects in solids how they are produced at thermal equilibrium and by neutron irradiation how they agglomerate to form voids in metals or grow gas bubbles in the fuel. Kinchin-Pease model. Know the principal effects of radiation on metals: dislocation loops, voids, precipitates, and helium bubbles. Solve diffusion problems beginning from Fick law understand how the diffusion coefficient is related to the mobility of atoms in the crystalline lattice. Understand how the grain structure influences properties such as creep rate and fission product release (ceramic UO2). Understand the concept and quantitative properties of dislocations, and how irradiation-produced point defects influences their motion and hence material properties.

Prerequisites: Introductory course on properties of materials (MAT SCI 45) and upper division course in thermodynamics (ENGIN 40 or CHM ENG 141).

NUC ENG 221Corrosion in Nuclear Power Systems3 Units.

Terms offered: Spring 2022, Spring 2018, Spring 2016 Structural metals in nuclear power plants properties and fabrication of Zircaloy aqueous corrosion of reactor components structural integrity of reactor components under combined mechanical loading, neutron irradiation, and chemical environment.Corrosion in Nuclear Power Systems: [+].

Corrosion in Nuclear Power Systems: Read Less [-].

Prerequisites:NUC ENG 124 or an upper division course in differential equations.

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Spring 2013, Spring 2011 This course is intended for graduate students interested in acquiring a foundation in nuclear fuel cycle with topics ranging from nuclear-fuel reprocessing to waste treatment and final disposal. The emphasis is on the relationship between nuclear-power utilization and its environmental impacts. The lectures will consist of two parts. The first half includes mathematical models for individual processes in a fuel cycle, such as nuclear fuel reprocessing, waste solidification, repository performance, and nuclear transmutation in a nuclear reactor. In the second half, these individual models are integrated, which enables students to evaluate environmental impact of a fuel cycle.The Nuclear Fuel Cycle: [+].

Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021 This course provides the student with a modern introduction to the basic industrial practices, modeling techniques, theoretical background, and computational methods to treat classical and cutting edge manufacturing processes in a coherent and self-consistent manner.Modeling and Simulation of Advanced Manufacturing Processes: [+].

Course Objectives: An introduction to modeling and simulation of modern manufacturing processes.

Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021 Use of nuclear measurement techniques to detect clandestine movement and or possession of nuclear materials by third parties. Nuclear detection, forensics,signatures, and active and passive interrogation methodologies will be explored. Techniques currently deployed for arms control and treaty verification will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on common elements of detection technology from the viewpoint of resolution of threat signatures from false positives due to naturally occurring radioactive material. Topics include passive and active neutron signals, gamma ray detection, fission neutron multiplicity, and U and Puisotopic identification and age determination.Analytical Methods for Non-Proliferation: [+].

Prerequisites:NUC ENG 101, PHYSICS 7C, or equivalent course in nuclear physics.

Terms offered: Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2020 Biomedical imaging is a clinically important application of engineering, applied mathematics, physics, and medicine. In this course, we apply linear systems theory and basic physics to analyze X-ray imaging, computerized tomography, nuclear medicine, and MRI. We cover the basic physics and instrumentation that characterizes medical image

Nuclear Enterprise Management Option (Ph.D.).

The specialization in Nuclear Enterprise Management in the doctoral program is designed for students with a specific interest in leadership and management careers throughout the nuclear industry and leads to a Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Nuclear Engineering.

The Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering (NPRE) offers programs leading to Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering. The Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs are centered around five theme areas:.

Advanced course work and active research programs are offered in all of these areas.

The NPRE department also administers for The Grainger College of Engineering a Master of Engineering degree program with a Concentration in Energy Systems.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering.

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) through the Medical Scholars Program.

Computational and Science and Engineering (CSE) graduate option.

Energy and Sustainability Engineering (EaSE) graduate certificate option.

The Medical Scholars Program permits highly qualified students to integrate the study of medicine with study for a graduate degree in a second discipline, including Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering.

NPRE ILLINOIS Graduate Student Handbook (a supplement to the University of Illinois' Graduate College).

Read MS and PhD Theses from NPRE Illinois.

Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering Master of Science (M.S.).

Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering Doctoral Program (Ph.D.).

Among the available degrees are the M.Eng., which is perceived to be practically oriented and includes a research project the M.S., which is considered scholarly or fundamental and must include a thesis and Ph.D.

The department offers graduate programs in mechanical engineering, aeronautical engineering, nuclear engineering, and engineering physics.

Students who successfully complete our graduate programs will be able to:.

Demonstrate advanced proficiency in the core program area.

Demonstrate preparedness for professional careers or further graduate studies.

Master of Science and PhD, Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics.

Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics (+ Aerospace Engineering option).

Research and PhD, Engineering Mechanics.

For alumnus, benefits of nuclear engineering graduate education are clear.

Due to safety concerns for all prospective students during the COVID-19 crisis, GRE scores are optional for applications to all Engineering Mechanics and all Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics graduate programs through the Fall 2022 semester.

A broad program of instruction and research is offered in the principles of the interaction of radiation with matter and their applications, and in several areas of engineering physics. The program has strong engineering and applied science components. It emphasizes several areas of activity, including the research, design, development, and deployment of fission reactors fusion engineering plasma physics radiation damage to materials applied superconductivity and cryogenics and large-scale computing in engineering science.

The department is considered to have one of the top five nuclear engineering programs in the nation over the last 40 years. It incorporates several research organizations including the Wisconsin Institute of Nuclear Systems, the Pegasus Toroidal Experiment Program, the Fusion Technology Institute, and the Center for Plasma Theory and Computation.

Research may be performed in areas including next generation fission reactor engineering fluid and heat transfer modeling for transient analysis reactor monitoring and diagnostics fuel cycle analysis magnetic and inertial confinement fusion reactor engineering, including the physics of burning plasmas, plasma-wall interactions, neutron transport, tritium breeding, radiation damage, and liquid-metal heat transfer experimental and theoretical studies of plasmas including radio frequency heating, magnetic confinement, plasma instabilities, and plasma diagnostics industrial plasma physics, such as plasma processing and plasma source ion implantation superconducting magnets and cryogenics and theoretical and experimental studies of the damage to materials in fission and fusion reactors.

For s of our major research areas, lab tours and check out the EP grad recruiting page!

The Engineering Physics (EP) reviews Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics graduate student applications for the fall, spring and summer terms of each year.

Scores may not be than 5 years old from the start of the admissions term for which applicants are applying.

Please do not send any hard copies of transcripts unless specifically instructed to do so by the UW-Madison Graduate School.

All applicants must submit a statement of purpose reasons for graduate study. Note that information on research interests and aspirations is important for the application review process.

International Students: International applicants must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Scores are accepted if they are within two years of the start of the admissions term for which applicants are applying. IELTS scores should be electronically sent directly from IELTS to UW-Madison, Graduate Studies.

You earned a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university not than 5 years prior to the anticipated semester of enrollment.

Window within your MyUW portal (information on this is received after submitting an application). You may need to activate a NetID to gain access to the MyUW portal (information sent after submitting an application).

Most admissions decisions are made by the end of March or by early April.

Graduate-student funding is an important consideration for both prospective students and the Department. Apart from national fellowships, graduate students in the Department are funded by research assistantships (RAs), teaching assistantships (TAs), project assistantships (PAs), internal fellowships, or they are self-funded. Decisions on RA positions are made at the investigator level and not at the Department level.

For PhD students, program admission and funding via assistantships are linked, subject to the following policies:.

If the Department extends an offer and the prospective PhD student accepts, the intention is to fund the student through degree completion, even if a student requires time than the guaranteed period.

It should be noted that research progress is required, regardless of the funding mechanism or funding level in order to maintain satisfactory progress toward the PhD degree.

Qualified students may be admitted without if they guarantee their own funding.

PhD students initially serving in TA positions typically move to RA positions when focusing on research. However, changes in research funding from federal agencies may also require a student to take a TA or PA position, at least temporarily, after holding an RA or fellowship. Students interested in gaining teaching experience may also request a TA position.

Because admission and are linked, a prospective PhD student may not be admitted until the Department has made the respective funding decision or the student has provided evidence of external fellowship support or a guarantee of self-funding.

Re-entry applicants: If you were previously enrolled as a graduate student in the Engineering Physics but have had a break in enrollment for a minimum of a fall or spring term, you will need to re-apply to resume your studies. Please review the Graduate School requirements for re-entry students.

PhD technical minor approval form (entered Fall 2019 or after).

The following is a list of available fellowship programs for Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics graduate students to apply:.

Defense Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship.

U.S. Air Force Graduate Student Fellowships in Nuclear Engineering.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

Graduate Fellowships for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Diversity.

There are two paths for students seeking a MS degree in the Nuclear Engineering graduate program: a thesis path and a non-thesis path. A minimum of 30 credit hours, including coursework and a satisfactory thesis or non-thesis project is required to obtain a MS degree. The entire work for the MS degree must be completed within a period of six calendar years.

6 hours nuclear engineering 5000+ courses beyond the core courses.

3 hours Math 4000+, Stats 5000+ or program approved Math Equivalency courses (not Math 4504).

12 hours nuclear engineering 5000+ courses beyond the core courses.

A non-thesis project as decided upon by your MS committee.

A minimum of 80 graduate credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree, including coursework and a dissertation, are required to obtain a doctoral degree. The entire work for the PhD degree must be completed within a period of nine calendar years.

Submission and successful defense of a Doctoral Dissertation.

Students who have not taken NUCLREN 4505 (Introduction to Nuclear Engineering) or an introductory Nuclear Engineering course at another institution are required to take NUCLREN 4505 immediately upon starting their graduate studies. NUCLREN 4505 does not count towards the required number of hours for a graduate in Nuclear Engineering.

All graduate engineering applications will be submitted using EngineeringCAS, a centralized application service.

Students must provide justification for listing 1 or 2-hour courses on their doctoral degree plan.

Doctorate of Philosophy with Master Degree (64-hour Degree Plan).

Number of credit hours determined by student graduate committee.

Nuclear engineering graduate courses that were not included on the student master degree plan.

Graduate courses from outside the department and are typically in a science or engineering subject area.

The balance among nuclear engineering courses, supporting course work, and NUEN 691 research hours is to the discretion of the student graduate committee.

Doctorate of Philosophy without Master Degree (96-hour Degree Plan).

The nuclear engineering program (NEP) at Virginia Tech is a multi-disciplinary program with activities in nuclear power, nuclear nonproliferation and security, radiation therapy and diagnostics, and nuclear policy. NEP offers degrees at two campuses including Blacksburg and National Capital Region (NCR). NCR activities are consolidated under the Nuclear Science and Engineering Laboratory (NSEL).

Students can register in the PhD Program at either Blacksburg or Greater Washington DC Area Campus.

Students can register in the M.S. Program at either Blacksburg or Greater Washington DC Area Campus.

degree requires completing a 30-credit-hour program subject to the following requirements.

Irvin Rare Books and Special Collections.

Nuclear engineers work in a range of professions, from electrical power generation to space power and propulsion. To prepare for these exciting fields, you can pursue a master or Ph.D. in nuclear engineering.

Distance education options are available through our APOGEE program.

Expand allA Accelerated Degree in Nuclear Engineering (B.S. M.S.).

Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.

Application informationfor this degree is available through The Graduate School.

Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).

Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with a concentration in chemical and life science engineering.

Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with a concentration in computer science.

Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with a concentration in electrical and computer engineering.

Engineering, Master of Science (M.S.) with a concentration in chemical and life science engineering.

Engineering, Master of Science (M.S.) with a concentration in electrical and computer engineering.

Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Master of Science (M.S.).

This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2023-2024 VCU Bulletin. This edition includes all programs and courses approved by the publication deadline however we may receive notification of additional program approvals after the launch.

The Ph.D. curriculum will provide graduate-level training in both mechanical and nuclear engineering. Graduates of the program will be prepared for research and teaching careers in areas such as energy production, nuclear waste transport, storage and disposal, and the development of new mechanical devices for use in nuclear medicine. Technical electives in both mechanical and nuclear engineering will allow students to pursue in-depth study relevant to their selected research topics. Dissertation topics pursued as directed research credit hours will be devoted to open-ended research projects at the intersection of mechanical and nuclear engineering.

Apply advanced knowledge of mathematics, science or engineering: Graduates will demonstrate an ability to apply advanced knowledge of mathematics, science or engineering.

Communicate effectively: Graduates will demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively.

Identify, formulate and solve engineering problems: Graduates will demonstrate an ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems.

VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs.

As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.

In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, the following comprise the admissions requirements for the mechanical and nuclear engineering Ph.D. program:.

Submission of results of the Graduate Record Examination (minimum score for admission to be established annually by the MNE graduate committee).

Submission of a written statement of purpose that clearly demonstrates commitment to a career in mechanical and nuclear engineering.

The MNE graduate committee may admit students unconditionally or provisionally. Provisional admission may be granted when deficiencies are identified these deficiencies should be remedied by the time specified by the admissions committee. At the end of the provisional period, the student progress is evaluated. A response to this notice that is deemed unsatisfactory results in a recommendation for dismissal. The student has the right to appeal the recommendation for dismissal following procedures set forth by the College of Engineering and the VCU Graduate School. Remedial courses, or those designed to remove deficiencies, will not be accepted for credit hours toward the fulfillment of the course requirements for the Ph.D.

In addition to the VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, the Ph.D. degree will require a minimum of 68 credit hours beyond the B.S. degree or a minimum of 36 credit hours beyond the M.S. degree. Students may enter the Ph.D. program with either a B.S. or M.S. degree.

Transfer courses must be approved by the MNE graduate committee and must fulfill all requirements of the VCU Graduate School as described in the student handbook. For students entering with a B.S. degree, a maximum of nine credit hours of technical electives may be transferred from another VCU program or outside institution and, if not applied previously toward another degree, may be applied toward the Ph.D.

A comprehensive oral examination is used to determine admission of graduate students to Ph.D. candidacy in the Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering.

The CO will be administered by the graduate examination committee, which is organized by the MNE graduate program committee as outlined in the graduate student handbook. The format of the CO is as follows:.

Courses taken in graduate school at VCU (including a printed copy of the VCU transcript made available to committee members).

In order to determine if the student should be admitted to Ph.D. candidacy. The committee will discuss the responses, including strengths and weaknesses observed. Correct answers are not required for a certain percentage of questions. Instead, the committee is to deliberate on the potential of the candidate to successfully complete the Ph.D. degree and become a successful professional. The committee then grades the student as pass or fail in each area of the goals. on admission to Ph.D. candidacy. A majority vote for promotion to candidacy is required for successful completion of the CO. At least three (of the four GEC) voting committee members must be present in the CO exam and vote.

The student must pass the CO before the end of their fourth semester (excluding summer sessions) as a Ph.D. student at VCU. The primary CO will be administered during the second week of the fall semester. The graduate coordinator will provide a sign-up list of available times to graduate students. A secondary CO will be offered in the second week of the spring semester of each year for students who started in the spring semester of the previous year and for second chance exams.

The adviser is expected to work with the student on weaknesses identified by the committee. The CO is then re-administered and must be completed successfully within the first four semesters as a Ph.D. student at VCU. Failure to successfully complete the CO within the first four semesters is grounds for dismissal from the program.

The CO is intended to benefit the student, primary adviser and department by:.

Students will be expected to select a research adviser and dissertation committee within 12 months of enrollment in the Ph.D. program. This committee also makes the final recommendation to award the Ph.D. degree.

The proposal consists of the research topic and proposed research plan. The proposal should include a thorough literature review of the topic and contain information sufficient to judge the feasibility, scope and potential impact of the research. The dissertation committee will then administer an exam based on the material submitted in the dissertation research proposal. The format of the exam is an oral presentation by the candidate with questions by the dissertation committee members. A favorable decision by the dissertation committee with no than one negative vote (all members are required to vote) shall be required to pass the exam. If a student fails the exam, one re-examination may be given with the consent of the dissertation committee. Failure to pass the second exam will result in dismissal from the program.

A Ph.D. student appearing for the final defense in the Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering must provide evidence of a minimum of two manuscripts accepted for publication in peer-reviewed archival journals recognized by the ISI Web of Science at the time of defense. The student is expected to have served as the first author in one or of the papers.

No earlier than six months after passing the oral candidacy examination, the student will defend the dissertation in an open forum administered by the dissertation committee. At least two weeks prior to the defense, the candidate will submit a written copy of the dissertation to each committee member and schedule a date for the defense. During the defense, the student will present a detailed summary of their research project, which should be the original problem presented and approved during the proposal presentation exam. The format of the dissertation defense will be a presentation by the student followed by questions from the dissertation committee and other attendees. After the first round of questions are completed, the non-committee members in attendance will be asked to leave and the dissertation committee members will hold a second round of questions in closed session. After the second round of questions is completed the student will be asked to leave and the committee members will deliberate privately. A favorable decision by the dissertation committee with no than one negative vote (all members are required to vote) shall be required to pass the dissertation defense. If a student fails the dissertation defense, one re-examination may be given. Failure to pass the second dissertation defense will result in dismissal from the program.

Students entering with a B.S. degree who are terminated from the Ph.D. program because of a failure to pass the QE, proposal presentation exam or dissertation defense (but not for other reasons such as academic dishonesty) will have the option to continue toward the M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering.

It is anticipated that students entering with a B.S. will complete the program in four years from the time the student passes the qualifying examination. Students must be continuously enrolled in the program (minimum of one credit hour per semester). All requirements for the Ph.D. degree must be completed within six years of passing the qualifying examination.

It is anticipated that students entering with an M.S. degree will complete the program in three years from the time the student passes the qualifying examination. Students must be continuously enrolled in the program (minimum of 1 credit hour per semester). All requirements for the Ph.D. must be completed within five years of passing the qualifying examination.

Any student may request a one-year extension of the maximum time for extenuating circumstances such as a medical situation. The graduate program committee will review and approve or deny all such requests. The maximum time cannot be extended longer than one year. Students who do not satisfy the degree requirements within the maximum time will be dismissed from the program.

Because of the maximum time limits imposed on students in the Ph.D. program, the program does not accept part-time students.

The VCU Graduate School provides graduate students with ongoing opportunities for academic and professional development. The PFFP at VCU offers a series of short courses and professional development opportunities for graduate students interested in pursuing careers in higher education. The series is modeled on the national PFFP created by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. PFFP courses introduce graduate students to the roles and responsibilities of higher education address teaching, learning and technology issues in the college classroom and incorporate material on the academic job search and continued professional development. Since most courses are one or two credit hours, students are able to add them easily into their academic program schedules.

Requirements for students entering with a B.S. degree.

This component consists of dissertation research directed toward completion of Ph.D. degree requirements under the direction of a dissertation adviser and dissertation committee. Students can register for 1 to 15 credit hours of directed research in mechanical and nuclear engineering.

A total of 21 credit hours from the core courses, technical electives or seminar (not including directed research credit hours) must be at the 600 level or higher.

Up to three credit hours of EGMN 691 may be taken as a technical elective course.

EGMN 610 is not required for students entering with a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering.

For these students, the minimum total of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 68.

Requirements for students entering with an M.S. degree.

This component consists of dissertation research directed toward completion of Ph.D. degree requirements under the direction of a dissertation adviser and dissertation committee.

A total of nine credit hours of core courses and seminar but not including directed research credit hours must be at the 600 level or higher.

For these students, the minimum total of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 36.