Nuclear Engineering and Medicine

  • #1
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Hello,

I am a college student currently giving thought to a BS in nuclear engineering. I find all areas of nuclear engineering fascinating, but my interests are foremost in medical applications of nuclear technology (medical diagnostic imaging, radiation therapy, public health and radiation exposure). Is this area too niche for a nuclear engineering department to take me seriously? I have the grades but my concern is regarding the personal statement upon application to the major, which involves explaining my reasoning for selection of nuclear engineering as a major and where I'd like to go with it. I do not want to study bioengineering or anything like it as an undergraduate (because it is not a traditional engineering discipline and doesn't appear to be as marketable without a graduate degree). My ultimate career goal is to earn an MD/PhD (the PhD in medical physics or biomedical engineering).

Additional questions:

1). Do medical imaging companies hire nuclear engineers? Most vacancies I can find are addressed to experienced mechanical or electrical engineers.
2). How important is ABET accreditation as a nuclear engineer? I am also interested in joint major programs with chemical engineering but I would lose the ABET stamp.

Your advice is much appreciated. Thank you.
 
  • #2
Nuclear Engineering is a very open field of interests. Do you think everyone really wants to make Uranium fission?

Yes I believe they will be willing to accept you in the program. If anything they should have a concentration in radiological engineering under the degree program. Also it is very possible to pursue a degree in Medical Physics with a degree in Nuclear Engineering. I believe you need a minor in Physics to qualify for any medical physics program though.

I can't answer the first questions but the second, ABET is extremely important for any field. I believe it would be a good idea to stick with Nuclear Engineering.

(I'm currently in a Nuclear Engineering program with a few friends considering doing medical physics afterwards.)
 

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