Road to Nuclear Engineering Graduate Program

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a junior Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Utah contemplating a transition to a graduate program in Nuclear Engineering (NE). The student is weighing the benefits of pursuing an NE minor alongside their BSME degree versus applying directly to the NE graduate program. Additionally, the student is considering a double major in Applied Physics and is seeking advice on the relevance of advanced physics courses for a career in Nuclear Engineering. Key courses mentioned include computational fluid dynamics, finite element analysis, and mechanics of materials.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Mechanical Engineering principles
  • Familiarity with Nuclear Engineering concepts
  • Knowledge of advanced physics topics, including quantum field theory and relativity
  • Experience with computational methods in engineering
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the curriculum and requirements for the Nuclear Engineering MS and PhD programs at the University of Utah
  • Explore the benefits of obtaining a minor in Nuclear Engineering for graduate studies
  • Investigate the relevance of advanced physics courses for careers in Nuclear Engineering
  • Learn about job opportunities at national laboratories for graduates in Nuclear Engineering
USEFUL FOR

Undergraduate students in Mechanical Engineering or related fields, prospective Nuclear Engineering graduate students, and individuals interested in careers in national laboratories or research within the Nuclear Engineering sector.

daric soldar
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Hello all,
I'm currently a junior in the Mechanical Engineering program at the University of Utah. I'd like to go into either the MS or PhD program in Nuclear Engineering there. There is no BS in Nuclear Engineering offered there, but there is an NE minor for undergraduates, which would allow the MS students to take a broader variety of courses than if a minor were not earned (in which case, several of the 30 credit hours that go toward earning an MS would be used to take introductory NE courses taught in the minor).

If I'm planning on doing research in NE, and possibly earning a job at a national laboratory, should I just:

a) blaze through my BSME degree, forget the NE minor, and apply for the graduate NE program
b) take an extra year or so to get the NE minor along with the BSME, allowing me to take more diverse courses in the NE program to increase/diversify skills in the field of NE.

I'm also thinking of double majoring in Applied Physics along with Mechanical Engineering. It would only be an additional 7 courses (so about 2 semesters extra). Otherwise, I am planning on definitely earning a minor in Physics with courses in introductory QFT & Relativity and introductory nuclear & particle physics. Are these additional physics courses even useful for Nuclear Engineers in industry or performing research?

I've also taken Astronuc's advice, and I am planning on taking computational fluid dynamics, finite element analysis, and some kind of mechanics of materials/material science course (but hopefully not from Grant Smith, if you've kept up with the news lately...)

Thanks a bunch,
matt
 
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ask the NE graduate program admission people . . .
 

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