Masters in Nuclear Engineering

[lax1113]

Hey guys,
I am currently at a school that only offers chemical/mech/computer/civil/electrical engineering, however, I have a great interest in nuclear. I have been reading books/articles on nuclear energy and find the whole prospect to be very interesting. I know that being a freshmen my best bet would probably be to transfer to a school with nuclear engineering, unfortunately, that doesn't seem like an option right now (scholarship money here). Are any of these disciplines close enough to nuc E that I could go to grad school for it? I am currently on the chemical track, but am also interested in mechanical. I really am not sure which of the 3 (chem/nuc/mech) I would want to do, but hell, before taking advanced technical courses who really knows which field they want to be in? Could either of these lead into working with nuclear energy? I could see both chem and mechanical being involved, just not sure how much.

 

[whs]

Of course. It will obviously depend on the grad school, but you don't have to major in Nuke to go to grad school for Nuke. Especially since you want to stay in engineering, its probably not going to matter which one you pick.

It doesn't have to be 'close'. If you are worried about it, figure out where you might like to go to grad school and start emailing people. Otherwise just pick a major that seems like it will be interesting and fun.

Undergrad is supposed to be fun, then you either go to work, or go to grad school and get serious.

 

[Mene]

Hi there,

It's great to hear that you have a strong interest in nuclear engineering! While your current school may not offer a specific nuclear engineering program, there are definitely ways for you to pursue this field in your academic and professional career.

Firstly, I would suggest reaching out to your school's engineering department and seeing if they offer any courses related to nuclear energy or have any faculty members with expertise in this area. Taking these courses or working with these professors could give you a good foundation in nuclear engineering principles and help you decide if it's the right field for you.

In terms of your undergraduate degree, chemical engineering would likely be the most closely related to nuclear engineering, as it involves the study of chemical reactions and processes, which are essential in nuclear power generation. However, mechanical engineering also has some overlap with nuclear engineering, particularly in areas like thermal and fluid mechanics.

If you do decide to pursue a masters in nuclear engineering, having an undergraduate degree in either chemical or mechanical engineering would certainly be beneficial. However, it is also possible to enter a nuclear engineering program with a different engineering background, as long as you have a strong foundation in math, physics, and other related subjects.

In terms of working in the nuclear energy field, both chemical and mechanical engineering can lead to careers in this area. Chemical engineers may work on designing and optimizing nuclear reactors, while mechanical engineers may focus on the design and maintenance of the mechanical systems within a nuclear power plant.

Ultimately, the best way to determine which field is right for you is to continue exploring and learning about nuclear engineering, and gaining hands-on experience through internships or research opportunities. I wish you the best of luck in your academic and professional pursuits!