Programmes to learn for Nuclear Engineering Masters

In summary, the conversation discusses the importance of learning various programming languages in the field of nuclear engineering, with a focus on computational physics and numerical methods. While Fortran used to be the standard, C/C++ and Python are now widely used. It is beneficial to have familiarity with multiple languages, especially for modeling and simulation. The key areas in nuclear engineering include reactor physics, thermal-hydraulics, and structural mechanics, with a trend towards coupling these areas in simulations.
  • #1
Adam Woolsey
I am about to begin an MSc in Nuclear Engineering. I am competent in MatLab language but wish to practice/learn another in the time before my course starts. Would I be well served in continuing to practice MatLab or to learn another from scratch (C/Java/Labview)? Are there any particular areas within these programmes particularly relevant to nuclear physics that I should focus on?
 
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  • #2
It used to be that most scientist/engineers would learn Fortran, since much legacy code was written in Fortran. Now C/C++ has become a standard scientific language, and there is an emphasis on object-oriented language. It's probably helpful to have familiarity with both.

The broad area of application is now 'computational physics', or 'computational multiphysics', in which one attempts to simulate a broad range of physical phenomena over multiple time and length scales, from atoms to planet size, and larger, and picoseconds to billions of years, depending on the physical system being modeled.

The challenge is to understand the physical phenomena involved and the mathematical equations that describe the system in sufficient detail to allow a reliable or realistic prediction of the behavior.

See for example - http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/329/329.pdf

There is a broad array of computational tools from which to choose:
http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/astrowiki/index.php/Programming_for_Physics_and_Astronomy

In engineering, one would be concerned with movement, heat transfer, fluid flow, electric/magnetic fields (and currents), forces/stress, . . . .

To this end, there are numerous computational systems, e.g., Comsol, ANSYS, ABAQUS, . . . . The US DOE is supporting a system called MOOSE (based on C++).

Perhaps one should explore Python as well as exposure to C++ and Fortran.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Python_(programming_language)
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/computational-physics/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C++
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortran

So one should explore 'computational physics' and/or 'numerical methods' with language as a qualifier, and see what various universities are teaching.
e.g., https://courses.physics.ucsd.edu/2017/Spring/physics142/Labs/FinalProject/NumMethods.pdf
https://www.uio.no/studier/emner/ma...Lecture_notes_and_literature/lectures2012.pdf

There are still plenty of legacy codes written in Fortran.
 
  • #3
Thank you for your help and will look into those links shortly. Having a familiarisation with Matlab already I am keen to grow my knowledge of that. Do you think this would be a waste of my time?
 
  • #4
Apparently, programs at various universities teach MatLab, or use MatLab in course work. It's probably useful to learn, but one should branch out into other languages, especially if one is interested in modeling and simulation.

It's best to get into a language like Python and C++ or Fortran and solve systems of equations in order to understand the physics and the mathematics involved in describing the physics. One might find oneself having to work on a problem with something other than MatLab.

The key areas in nuclear power systems are reactor physics or neutronics, thermal-hydraulics and structural mechanics (including fuel performance). If one does fusion engineering, then plasma physics would be in the reactor physics. In the past, detailed simulations were done more or less separately, but the trend has been to couple these areas. There are other related areas like radiation effects on materials.
 

1. What types of programs are available for a Nuclear Engineering Masters?

There are several types of programs available for a Nuclear Engineering Masters, including traditional on-campus programs, online programs, and hybrid programs that combine both on-campus and online learning. Additionally, some universities offer specialized programs such as a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering or a Master of Engineering in Nuclear Engineering.

2. What courses are typically included in a Nuclear Engineering Masters program?

Courses in a Nuclear Engineering Masters program typically cover topics such as reactor physics, nuclear materials, radiation shielding and protection, nuclear safety and regulation, and nuclear fuel cycles. Other courses may include nuclear waste management, nuclear instrumentation and control, and nuclear fuel cycle analysis.

3. What are the admission requirements for a Nuclear Engineering Masters program?

Admission requirements vary by university, but generally, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in a related field such as engineering or physics. They may also be required to have a minimum GPA and GRE scores, as well as letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose.

4. Are there any internships or hands-on experiences included in a Nuclear Engineering Masters program?

Many universities offer internships or co-op opportunities for students in their Nuclear Engineering Masters program. These experiences provide hands-on training in a real-world setting and can help students gain practical skills and make valuable connections in the industry. Some programs may also include a final thesis or capstone project that allows students to apply their knowledge to a specific research topic.

5. What career opportunities are available for graduates of a Nuclear Engineering Masters program?

Graduates of a Nuclear Engineering Masters program can pursue careers in a variety of industries, including nuclear power plants, government agencies, research laboratories, and consulting firms. They may work as nuclear engineers, radiation safety specialists, nuclear research scientists, or nuclear project managers. Additionally, some may choose to pursue further education and earn a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering.

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