Mar 28, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2009-2010 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2009-2010 [Archived Catalog]

Nuclear Engineering Curriculum


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First Year


Fall


 

  • MANE-1961 Intro to Nuclear Engineering Credit Hours: 1
    (See footnote 2 below)
  • Hum. or Soc. Sci. Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • Hum. or Soc. Sci. Elective Credit Hours: 4

Second Year


Fall


  • Free Elective I Credit Hours: 4
     
  • Hum. or Soc. Sci. Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • Hum. or Soc. Sci. Elective Credit Hours: 4

Third Year


Fall


  • Hum. or Soc. Sci. Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • Professional Development II Credit Hours: 2
    (See footnote 5 below)

Fourth Year


Fall


  • Restricted (NE) Elective I Credit Hours: 3
  • Free Elective II Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  •  Technical Elective Credit Hours: 3
    (See footnote 4 below)
  • Restricted (NE) Elective II Credit Hours: 3
  • Free Elective III Credit Hours: 4

Concentrations


For more information on any of these concentrations, students should consult with their program adviser.

Reactor Physics


This area of concentration is intended for students who wish to develop expertise in the physics of nuclear power reactor cores. Topics such as reactor physics design, nuclear fuel management, and reactor startup physics tests are included.

Reactor Engineering


This area of concentration is intended for students who wish to develop a broad understanding of nuclear technology. Topics such as reactor thermal-hydraulics, reliability, safety and licensing, radioactive waste management, structural dynamics, and materials problems are included.

Health Physics


This area of concentration is intended for students who wish to develop expertise in the radiation safety aspects of nuclear power plant operations and the associated nuclear fuel cycle.

Nuclear Thermal Hydraulics


This area of concentration is intended for students who wish to develop an extended knowledge and the ability to apply principles of fluid mechanics and heat transfer in single-phase and multiphase gas-liquid systems to reactor engineering.

Nuclear Plant Operations and Management


This area of concentration is intended for students who wish to specialize in the operation and management of nuclear power plants. This concentration is directed toward students interested in careers with nuclear electric utility organizations.

Fusion Reactor Engineering


This area of concentration is intended for students who desire to develop expertise in the analysis, assessment, and design of fusion reactor power systems.

Humanities or Social Sciences Electives


In this area, the electives are based on the Institute and School of Engineering requirements. Students are urged to elect humanities and social science sequences through which they will obtain adequate breadth and depth in subject areas. Students desiring minors in Humanities and Social Sciences must consult the school or department in which the courses are offered to obtain further information and specific requirements.

Footnotes


  1. Includes Professional Development I.
  2. Other 1-credit Engineering Exploration courses, such as ENGR-1300 may be substituted.
  3. May be taken either semester senior year. 
  4. Any course in engineering or science at 2000 level or higher.
  5. Students choose either PSYC 4170 or STSS 4840 to fulfill this requirement.
  6. MATH 2010 and MATH 2400 may be taken in either semster of the second year.

Dual Major Programs


Dual major programs in Nuclear Engineering and Mechanical Engineering are available to students who follow prescribed programs that can be completed in eight semesters. Further information is available in the departmental office.

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