What's the best major between Physics & Chemistry for entering MS in Nuclear Engineering?

[Binura Chathumina]

I am currently a first-year undergraduate student at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in Sri Lanka. My majors are Physics, Chemistry, and Polymer Science & Technology.

In our program, we study these three majors during the first two academic years. After that, we must select one major to specialize in for the final two years. Upon completion, we graduate with a degree in the chosen major.

I am deeply passionate about nuclear science, and my ultimate goal is to become a nuclear engineer and work in a Europe country. To achieve this, I am planning to pursue a Bachelor's Honors degree in Physics. Tbh, I am equally passionate about both physics and chemistry.

However, I have noticed that no one from our university has entered the field of nuclear engineering after completing a Physics degree. This has made me question whether there might be gaps in our course content or Maybe no one in the university is interested in this field. Because there is no nuclear engineering field in Sri Lanka. We have not started using nuclear power yet. Despite this, our university's Physics program is ranked number one in Sri Lanka (according to the Times Higher Education World Rankings).

My primary interests within nuclear engineering are as follows (in order of preference):
Fuel Cycle Management
Nuclear Instrumentation and Control
Advanced Nuclear Technologies
Nuclear Materials (including Waste Management)
Nuclear Safety & Regulation
Nuclear Forensics and Counterterrorism

My goal is to get a scholarship and go to one of the best universities in Europe for nuclear engineering.

Recently, a senior who graduated from the University of Colombo advised me that a Chemistry special degree might be more suitable than a Physics special degree for entering the field of nuclear engineering. She holds a Bachelors degree in Nuclear Medicine and is currently working as a nuclear engineer at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) after completing her master's degree. She did her master's in University of Paris, Saclay.

I really want a guidance on whether pursuing a special degree in Chemistry or Physics would provide a better foundation for entering a master's program in nuclear engineering and, ultimately, the nuclear engineering industry.

I have attached the course content for both degrees for your reference. Kindly review them to provide a more informed opinion.

I kindly request your advice on whether a degree in Physics or Chemistry would facilitate an easier entry into nuclear engineering. Your insights would be invaluable in helping me make this critical decision.

 

[jedishrfu]

Have you talked to some of your profs in physics and chemistry? They may have some suggestions.

 

[jedishrfu]

A Physics degree is usually the stronger choice. However, Chemistry is also valuable, especially for nuclear materials, fuel cycle management, and nuclear forensics.

If your Physics degree includes courses in Nuclear & Particle Physics, Radiation Physics, and Computational Methods, then Physics is the best path.

If your Chemistry degree has Radiochemistry, Materials Science, and Analytical Chemistry, then Chemistry might also be viable.

The best recommendation is to choose a degree that includes more nuclear-focused coursework and supplement it with engineering and computational courses.

 

[CrysPhys]

OP: You can also work backwards. Develop a candidate list of universities that you would like to study nuclear engineering at. Then contact those nuclear engineering departments for guidance.

 

[gmax137]

I worked in the nuclear power industry for over 40 years. One thing to realize, is that most of the people involved in the industry do not have degrees in nuclear engineering. There is plenty of work for mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, chemical, and civil engineers, along with the operators, maintenance, and administrative/management personnel. Of those who really use a nuclear engineering background, many had a physics bachelor's with a subsequent masters (or even a PhD) in nuclear engineering. But in my experience, this was not universal. I worked with many nuclear engineers who had a bachelor's in chemistry, chemical engineering, aeronautical, mechanical, mathematics, and so on.

I believe your real question is, would your chemistry or physics curriculum maximize your chance of getting admitted to and doing well in a masters program in nuclear engineering. I think either path is possible, the main thing is to do well in your undergrad program.

 

[jtbell]

After you choose your final major, beginning in your third year, will you be able to take individual courses outside of that field, as elective courses? In the US, this is usually possible, and allows e.g. a physics student to take some chemistry courses that fit his career goals. However, I've read here that this can be difficult or even impossible in other countries.

 

[Binura Chathumina]

Yes we can do it too. But then the name of our degree changes to Applied Science. So then we have to do some Applied Science related courses.

 

[Binura Chathumina]

I worked in the nuclear power industry for over 40 years. One thing to realize, is that most of the people involved in the industry do not have degrees in nuclear engineering. There is plenty of work for mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, chemical, and civil engineers, along with the operators, maintenance, and administrative/management personnel. Of those who really use a nuclear engineering background, many had a physics bachelor's with a subsequent masters (or even a PhD) in nuclear engineering. But in my experience, this was not universal. I worked with many nuclear engineers who had a bachelor's in chemistry, chemical engineering, aeronautical, mechanical, mathematics, and so on.

I believe your real question is, would your chemistry or physics curriculum maximize your chance of getting admitted to and doing well in a masters program in nuclear engineering. I think either path is possible, the main thing is to do well in your undergrad program.

Thank you so much for your information.

 

[Binura Chathumina]

OP: You can also work backwards. Develop a candidate list of universities that you would like to study nuclear engineering at. Then contact those nuclear engineering departments for guidance.

Ohhh.. Thank you so much for your idea I'll do it definitely.

 

[Binura Chathumina]

A Physics degree is usually the stronger choice. However, Chemistry is also valuable, especially for nuclear materials, fuel cycle management, and nuclear forensics.

If your Physics degree includes courses in Nuclear & Particle Physics, Radiation Physics, and Computational Methods, then Physics is the best path.

If your Chemistry degree has Radiochemistry, Materials Science, and Analytical Chemistry, then Chemistry might also be viable.

The best recommendation is to choose a degree that includes more nuclear-focused coursework and supplement it with engineering and computational courses.

Nuclear & Particle Physics, Computational physics, Computational methods & tools for physics, Analytical Chemistry, Material Science (This is because I have been studying Polymer science as a subject for two years.) and Little bit nuclear chemistry are in my degree. If I were to get an honors degree in physics, it would include all of this, except for radiochemistry. Then I wouldn't have a problem studying nuclear engineering from the fuel cycle side, right?

 

[Binura Chathumina]

Have you talked to some of your profs in physics and chemistry? They may have some suggestions.

I haven't done that yet. Because I'm still in my first year.

 

[jedishrfu]

Being in your first year is an excellent time to talk to them about your goals and aspirations.

 

[CrysPhys]

Being in your first year is an excellent time to talk to them about your goals and aspirations.

OP: ^This^. Absolutely. This allows you time to make changes to your course selection, if needed. Too often, we get students asking for advice at the start of their senior year; at which point, it's too late to make any significant changes.