A nuclear engineering course as a substitute for nuclear physics?

[leright]

a nuclear engineering course as a substitute for nuclear physics??

I am a dual major in electrical engineering and physics and I missed my shot at taking nuclear physics, and likely will never get the chance to take it again. It isn't required for my degree but I still want to know something about nuclear physics. It seems a nuclear engineering course is being offered in the spring and I thought it may be a good alternative for nuclear engineering. I was wondering if someone in the know could look over the two courses for me and tell me if they overlap somewhat in their curricula.

EME 5283 - Elements of Nuclear Engineering
An introduction to nuclear energy. The relevant aspects of nuclear physics, radioactivity, shielding, heat transfer and fluid flow are reviewed and applied to the design of large thermal reactors. Biological hazards, waste disposal and fast breeders are discussed.
3.000 Credit Hours
3.000 Lecture hours

PHY 4823 - Nuclear Physics
Discussion of nuclear structure, radiation, radiation detection, theoretical nuclear models and elementary particles. Lecture 3 hrs.

If the elements of nuclear engineering course seems worthwhile I may take it next semester.

 

[Astronuc]

There is probably some overlap, but without detailed syllabi for each course, it is difficult to tell.

The overlap is likely between "nuclear physics, radioactivity, shielding." and "nuclear structure, radiation, radiation detection."

How much overlap will depend upon how much time is devoted to the "nuclear physics/radiation" topics in the NE course.

I did both modern/nuclear physics in the Physics Department and Nuclear Engineering Departments at university. It was somewhat redundant with respect to radiation and radiation interactions, but the Physics Department course got more in the theory of nuclear structure and more into particle physics beyond simply the alpha, beta (positron) and gamma radiation.

If you can't do PHY 4823 - Nuclear Physics, but still want some exposure, take the EME 5283 - Elements of Nuclear Engineering, otherwise, wait until grad school and take the Nuclear Physics.

 

[piercas]

I would advise against substituting a nuclear engineering course for a nuclear physics course. While there may be some overlap in the curricula, these are two distinct fields of study with different focuses and objectives.

Nuclear engineering deals with the design, operation, and maintenance of nuclear power plants and other nuclear systems. It involves a strong understanding of nuclear reactions, radiation, and materials science. On the other hand, nuclear physics is a branch of physics that studies the behavior and properties of atomic nuclei and the particles that make them up. It is a more theoretical and fundamental study of the structure and interactions of atoms.

While the nuclear engineering course may touch on some basic concepts of nuclear physics, it is not a substitute for a dedicated course in the subject. Nuclear physics is a complex and specialized field that requires a deep understanding of quantum mechanics and other advanced topics. It is essential for anyone seeking a career in nuclear research, medicine, or other related fields.

I understand that you may not have the opportunity to take a nuclear physics course, but I would encourage you to continue learning about the subject through books, online resources, or even reaching out to professors for guidance. Additionally, if your schedule allows, you could consider taking the nuclear engineering course as well to gain a broader understanding of the applications of nuclear physics. However, I would caution against relying solely on the nuclear engineering course as a substitute for a dedicated course in nuclear physics.