How to become a nuclear engineer

Pattonias

I am a mechanical engineering student still working on my bachelors.
I have taken a great interest in the development of the fusion reactor in France (ITER).

I have decided to gear my education in such a way that I will eventually be qualified to work at ITER and in the nuclear fusion field. I still want to receive my mechanical engineering degree before I move on to nuclear engineering specifically.

Many of you already have your degrees and many of you are probably already working in your field. If you could give me any direction as to the courses to take and the people to talk to in order to become the "perfect fusion engineer" I would really appreciate it.

If you could let me know where I could look to find work in the fusion field as a graduate intern that would also help me out a lot.

I have been searching the inter-net and trying to get in touch with people already in the field, but it seems once you get this specific you really limit your options.

I appreciate any comment you may have.

Astronuc

Normally, a nuclear engineering degree involves some courses in some introductory course work in modern and nuclear physics, and nuclear (fission) reactor theory, and nuclear plant design. A nuclear engineer will also take courses in various mechanical engineering, e.g. thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics/structural engineering (this could be in civil engineering depending on the university), and electrical engineering, e.g., circuit analysis, electro-mechanics (transformers/generators/alternators/motors), perhaps control theory, and perhaps network analysis. There are optional courses in materials. Fusion engineering is usually an upper level elective.

At the moment, fusion is still in R&D phase, and there are not fusion power plants, so there is no major in fusion engineering.

If one was to specialize in fusion, the one would need to do courses in plasma physics in addition to the core nuclear engineering program.

Pattonias

Thank you, for your answer I was beginning to think I had asked the wrong question.

I think I've started to get ahead of myself, I haven't even gotten my bachelors yet.
Most probably won't take me seriously until I make it to that point.

Astronuc

Now is a good time to ask - at least one is looking ahead rather than behind (as in, what one should have done).

QuantumPion

If you want to do research specifically in nuclear fusion, you will probably want to take as many physics courses as you can. Most nuclear engineering courses are related to nuclear fission engineering and don't have a lot in common with fusion research. If you just want to work at ITER because you like the idea of fusion power technology, then there are many paths open to you (mechanical, electrical, material science, etc etc...)

Pattonias

I have been looking at the different paths offered by most of the universities that specialize in fusion and plasma physics. The Princeton plasma physics department discusses the potential of further use of plasma physics for fusion research, but it is almost a side note.

I think for me I don't want to struggle as much with the theoretical research as much as removing the physical limitations we encounter as we try to make this work with what we know now. The more I study, the more like I feel that we have most of the pieces we need to make it work, we just haven't perfected a technique. If I could help "make it work" I think I will have accomplished what I want to do.

Even the Princeton curriculum seemed to lack what I am really looking for, they are looking more from the research for the academic advancement of plasma physics rather than a pure application approach.
I would like to be able to fully understand the technology behind ITER and the theories behind it so that I can help them find ways to create the efficiency that is needed to make fusion as a power source a reality.

I guess I'm trying to find the best starting school to really understand the tokamak and how to make it work the way we want it to. I have gathered from what I have read so far that to specialize will def. require grad study which doesn't bother me. I just like to lay out a plan so I can make sure I am meeting all the requirements as I learn to avoid road blocks. I don't want to start looking at my chosen grad school and find out that I have missed some critical courses that I did not anticipate.

gmax137

I guess I can understand this concern, but please keep in mind that the most important thing you can learn in school is how to learn. Once you figure this out, there is nothing you cannot study on your own. I may be generalizing too much, but I do see an increasing emphasis on schools as training academies (where you check off required courses) and less emphasis on training your mind to learn new things...

I just can't see the prospective university telling you, "Well, Pattonias, everything looks in order, wait, wait, hold on - I see you're missing linear algebra 312. Sorry, move along now..."

Pattonias

I think the "training academy" outlook is really what I am worried about. When I look at the different courses that I have to take in order even be considered for this field it can be quite depressing. Most of the universities that do research in the fusion field have a very tight criteria that you must follow in order to be accepted into the program. I am generally rather critical of the current academic model followed by most universities as to picking applicants. As a student with a 3.2 average I feel that I am well rounded and although I am still a fledgling engineer I think that I will be able to serve my field well once I have finished my schooling. I am just worried that those qualifications that you mentioned will hold me back once I am trying to enter the field. Not having a 4.0 or not winning a national scholarship could put me on the back burner. I guess that I should just keep trying.

Xnn

http://www.iter.org/Pages/Jobs.aspx

The above link list current openings at ITER.
Did not notice any that require a Nuclear Engineering degree.

theCandyman

For those jobs, your degree isn't important. I had the same aspirations, but unless you manage to get the appropriate experience in engineering or know someone that can give an important recommendation there's small chance of getting a job with ITER. I can only suggest looking for any internship with them that you can and maybe learning French to give yourself a small boon.

To the OP, your ME degree may help if you go into the cryogenics and pellet injection, I believe there's still work in that area that needs to be done.

Pattonias

So far I have found several references that seem to indicate that a specialist in the following:

Physics--> a concentration in Plasma physics
Cryogenics
Superconductors

would have a good starting base for a career in fusion engineering.

Astronuc

The three key goals in fusion by magnetic confinment are

1. heating the plasma (putting energy in as efficiently as possible)

2. confining the plasma (generate as much energy as efficiently as possible, which usually implies maximizing the power density and duration)

3. getting useful energy out (as much or efficiently as possible)


ICF is more or less the same.

Pattonias

How long were yall in college?

Pattonias

I guess that question was a little much. : )

Astronuc

4 years for an undergrad (BS) degree, 2 years MS, 2+ yrs for PhD program is typical. In my case it was 3 years of physics at one uni, 3 years in an NE program at a different uni, then 2 yrs for MS and 2.5 yrs for a PhD program before leaving before dissertation finished and getting a job at a small company that consulted internationally.

Pattonias

Do you think you enjoy working at a small company as opposed to a larger one?

Would you do anything differently?

QuantumPion

Well I work for a big company and can tell you it can be very bureaucratic and grindy at times. But on the good side, it is predictable and stable.