Nuclear Engineering Graduate Major (MEng, MS, PhD)
This program is available at the following location:
- Corvallis
The School of Nuclear Science and Engineering offers graduate work leading toward the Master of Engineering, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Nuclear Engineering.
The Nuclear Engineering graduate degree is designed to prepare students for careers involved with the many beneficial applications of nuclear energy, radiation, and radioactive materials. Nuclear engineering professions are essential to society’s well-being since they enable significant public benefits through energy security, national defense, medical health, and industrial competitiveness.
Competitive fellowships and research and teaching assistantships are available to incoming graduate students. The U.S. Department of Energy and National Academy for Nuclear Training support a number of fellowship programs each year. We are one of eight participating universities in the U.S. where students may attend graduate school on the Nuclear Engineering, Health Physics, and Applied Health Physics fellowships sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. Each year the National Academy for Nuclear Training also supports fellowships for students entering Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Health Physics at OSU.
World-class facilities are available for the instructional and research programs of the school. These are housed in the OSU Radiation Center and include a TRIGA Mark II nuclear reactor, the Advanced Thermal Hydraulic Research Laboratory, the APEX nuclear safety scaled testing facility, and laboratories specially designed to accommodate radiation and the use of radioactive materials.
Contact Information
For more information, contact the School of Nuclear Science & Engineering on 541-737-2343 or email NSE.Info@oregonstate.edu
Major Code: 3270
Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:
MEng
- Conduct research or produce some other form of creative work.
- Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
- Conduct scholarly or professional activities in an ethical manner.
MS
- Conduct research or produce some other form of creative work.
- Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
- Conduct scholarly or professional activities in an ethical manner.
PhD
- Produce and defend an original significant contribution to knowledge.
- Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
- Conduct scholarly activities in an ethical manner.
MEng
The MEng degree option provides students the opportunity to pursue advanced-level study without the requirement of completing thesis research. These degrees are intended as terminal degrees, not as preparation for a doctorate, and will emphasize job-related knowledge and skills. Although not required, students wishing to pursue a PhD in the future are advised to pursue an MS degree, not the MEng.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Coursework | ||
| NSE 531 | RADIOPHYSICS | 3 |
| NSE 535 | RADIATION SHIELDING AND EXTERNAL DOSIMETRY | 4 |
| NSE 536 | ADVANCED RADIATION DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT | 4 |
| NSE 568 | NUCLEAR REACTOR SAFETY | 3 |
| ENGR 520 | MENG INTRODUCTION TO PORTFOLIO 1 | 1 |
| ENGR 521 | MENG PORTFOLIO COMPLETION 1 | 1 |
| Seminar | ||
| NSE 507 | SEMINAR (take three times) | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Chosen by student, as approved by major professor | 26 | |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
- 1
ENGR 520 should be taken in the first quarter and ENGR 521 must be taken in the last quarter. Students who switch from the MS or PhD program into the MEng program in their last quarter of study may request an oral exam representing their work during their studies with the committee they formed for their MS or PhD program
MS
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Coursework | ||
| NSE 531 | RADIOPHYSICS | 3 |
| NSE 535 | RADIATION SHIELDING AND EXTERNAL DOSIMETRY | 4 |
| NSE 536 | ADVANCED RADIATION DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT | 4 |
| NSE 568 | NUCLEAR REACTOR SAFETY | 3 |
| Seminar | ||
| NSE 507 | SEMINAR | maximum 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Chosen by student, as approved by major professor | 22 | |
| Thesis | ||
| NSE 503 | THESIS | maximum 6 |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
Additional requirements for MS and MEng students without prior coursework in Nuclear Engineering
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NSE 515 | NUCLEAR RULES AND REGULATIONS | 2 |
| NSE 551 | NEUTRONIC ANALYSIS I | 3 |
| NSE 552 | NEUTRONIC ANALYSIS II | 3 |
| NSE 557 | NUCLEAR REACTOR LABORATORY | 2 |
| NSE 567 | NUCLEAR REACTOR THERMAL HYDRAULICS | 4 |
| NSE 573 | NUCLEAR REACTOR SYSTEMS ANALYSIS | 3 |
| Total Credits | 17 | |
PhD
The student’s principal direction in the course of study comes from the doctoral committee, in which the major professor has final approval. In addition, the School of Nuclear Science & Engineering PhD requirements include:
- Passing a written qualifying examination for candidacy
- On assignment from the student’s doctoral committee, taking and passing (B average or higher) such courses as judged desirable by the doctoral committee for satisfactory progress in doctoral research
- Calling regular (every 6 months recommended, but at least annual) meetings of the Doctoral Committee so that the student’s progress can be evaluated and guidance offered
- Preparing, presenting and defending a written dissertation proposal, i.e., the Preliminary Exam.
The Preliminary Exam should be taken as soon after the qualifying exam as possible.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Coursework | ||
| Chosen by student, as approved by major professor | 63 | |
| Thesis | ||
| NSE 603 | THESIS | minimum 45 |
| Total Hours | 108 | |
Refer to the NSE Graduate Advising webpage for additional degree information.
Major Code: 3270