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Minor in Nuclear Engineering

The need for graduate engineers with education in nuclear engineering will grow significantly in the coming years, both due to the new plants as well as the retirement of current nuclear professionals. A minor in nuclear engineering will provide engineers graduating from the Clark School with the capabilities needed to enter the field.

UMD Radiation Facilities
UMD Nuclear Reactor

Students working at the Maryland University Training Reactor (MUTR)

Nuclear power currently accounts for approximately 20% of electricity generation in the United States. With 104 operating reactors, the U.S. has more installed nuclear capacity than any nation in the world. Since operation of nuclear plants results in zero emissions of greenhouse gases, which are recognized as significant contributors to global climate change, the requirement for additional nuclear power plants is being recognized as a needed component of the US energy future. At present, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission anticipates receiving applications for more than 25 new plants within the next two years.

The minor in Nuclear Engineering provides the engineering student with the understanding of nuclear engineering and its application to many different fields, such as power generation, reactor operation, and industrial uses. Students in the minor will learn the fundamentals of nuclear reactor engineering, radiation interactions and measurement, power plant design concepts, and reactor safety. The minor is open to any student in the Clark School of Engineering.

Students must complete a total of 15 credits (5 3-credit courses) to obtain a minor in Nuclear Engineering. All courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher. A maximum of two of the required five courses can be used to satisfy requirements of the student’s major (with approval of the major department).

All students pursuing the minor will be required to take the following four core courses:

  • ENME 430 - Fundamentals of Nuclear Reactor Engineering
  • ENME 431 - Nuclear Reactor Systems and Safety
  • ENME 432 - Reactor and Radiation Measurements Laboratory
  • ENRE 447 – Fundamentals of Reliability Engineering

The fifth course for the minor will be selected, with the help of the student’s minor advisor, based on student interest. Some possible choices include:

  • ENME 488 - Special Problems in Mechanical Engineering
  • ENME 489_ - Special Topics is Mechanical Engineering
    (Student would select an appropriate course from a number of special topics courses taught each semester in the Mechanical Engineering Department)
  • ENME 433 – Nuclear Reactor Design
  • ENMA 422 - Radiation Effects on Materials
  • ENEE 474 - Power Systems

Applications for the nuclear minor are accepted for fall and spring semesters.   To be eligible to apply, students must have completed MATH 246 (or equivalent) and PHYS 270/271 (or equivalent) and must hold a minimum 2.0 GPA.   Priority is given to students in the A. James Clark School of Engineering.

Please use this link to apply.


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