Is a Background in Materials Science Essential for a PhD in Nuclear Materials?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the necessity of a background in materials science for pursuing a PhD in nuclear materials. Participants explore concerns regarding academic preparation, research interests, and potential faculty advisors within the field of nuclear engineering.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about their limited materials science coursework and questions whether this will hinder their application to PhD programs in nuclear materials.
  • Another participant shares their experience of entering a nuclear materials program without a strong materials background, suggesting that graduate school is an opportunity for learning.
  • Some participants note that the focus on irradiation damage in nuclear materials is expected, as it presents unique challenges compared to general materials science.
  • There is a suggestion that applicants should not limit themselves to a small list of professors and that less well-known faculty may provide more attention.
  • A participant mentions their preference for experimental work and discusses the differences between irradiation and non-irradiation testing technologies, particularly in microstructure investigation.
  • Interest in computational work is expressed, with a participant seeking insights into the nature of atomistic computation research.
  • Questions arise regarding the competitiveness of nuclear materials compared to other fields within nuclear engineering.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that a strong background in materials science is not strictly necessary for pursuing a PhD in nuclear materials, but opinions vary on the implications of this for applicants. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the competitiveness of the field and the specific advantages of having a materials science background.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention limitations in their current educational environments, such as restrictions on radiation sources for testing, which may affect their research opportunities. There is also a lack of consensus on the significance of having a materials science background in relation to success in nuclear materials research.

Who May Find This Useful

Undergraduate students considering a PhD in nuclear materials, those with limited materials science backgrounds, and individuals interested in the intersection of experimental and computational research in nuclear engineering may find this discussion relevant.

victorconan
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Hi, everyone!
I am undergraduate student from China. I am applying to pursue a PhD degree in United States next year. I am interested in nuclear materials, but the problem is that my home school offers little course on materials science. I am affraid that students of materials science may be preferred. Should I still keep my dream of being a materials scientist in nuclear engineering?
I have some research background in materials corrosion, precisely non-irradiation induced stress corrosion cracking testing. But I find a majority of faculty in nuclear materials are focusing on irradaiton damage.
I have found some professors I am interested in, they are: Peter Hosemann at UC Berkeley; Gary Was at Umich; James Stubbins at UIUC; Todd Allen at PSU. I read lots of their papers in Journal of Nuclear Materials. How do you think of these professors? Could you recommend more professors for me?
Thanks!
 
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Sorry I made a mistake, Todd Allen at UW-madison
 
I'm in nuclear materials. When I started the program (nuclear engineering), I didn't have much background in materials (my undergrad was physics), so I don't think it's a big problem. You're expected to do some learning at grad school!

It shouldn't be surprising that people involved in *nuclear* materials are interested in irradiation damage. Otherwise they would just be in materials science. You solve many of the same problems whether or not you can about irradiation damage -- there just tend to be more defects to deal with in irradiated environments, so it's a little bit more interesting, in my opinion.

There are hundreds of good professors in the area, including the ones you mentioned. You certainly shouldn't limit yourself to a small list like that; you'll often get more attention with less well known professors. You should also decide whether you're interested in experimental or computational work.

Good luck!
 
nuclear85 said:
I'm in nuclear materials. When I started the program (nuclear engineering), I didn't have much background in materials (my undergrad was physics), so I don't think it's a big problem. You're expected to do some learning at grad school!

It shouldn't be surprising that people involved in *nuclear* materials are interested in irradiation damage. Otherwise they would just be in materials science. You solve many of the same problems whether or not you can about irradiation damage -- there just tend to be more defects to deal with in irradiated environments, so it's a little bit more interesting, in my opinion.

There are hundreds of good professors in the area, including the ones you mentioned. You certainly shouldn't limit yourself to a small list like that; you'll often get more attention with less well known professors. You should also decide whether you're interested in experimental or computational work.

Good luck!
Thanks!
I have only experimental experience, and I feel I do love doing experimental work, like designing and constructing coolant loops, operating SEM/TEM and etc.. Our school is not permitted to have radiation source, so we cannot have irradiation testing. However, I notice just a few differences in testing technology between irradiation one and unirradiation one. I think the most significant difference is the microstructure investigation, right?
I have done research on computation of macro fluid, but I think the nano-scale simulations are so cool, which really attract me. Now I am taking the course of Quantum mechanics, the most interesting course I've ever taken during my undergraduate years. Since I have no research background in atomistic computation, I cannot judge whether the research is as interesting as taking the course. Could you introduce something you are doing to me? From my observation, many groups have both experimental and computational work, like Allen's and Stubbins'. So does it mean that I have a chance to choose which part I would like to engage in after I am admitted?
btw, is the competition for nuclear materials fierce compared to that in other fields of nuclear engineering?
 

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