UNDERGRADUATE

The department's undergraduate program provides a broad foundation in Nuclear Science and Engineering, plus a broad education by introducing many fields of engineering. The program develops science and engineering fundamentals in the production, interactions, and measurement of radiation arising from nuclear processes. The education culminates in approaches to the design of nuclear-based systems that have wide societal impacts in energy, human health, and security. In addition, the program introduces students to thermal-fluid engineering, design thinking, and computer methods which are critical tools for NSE. The program is designed to be a hybrid of hands-on and analytical learning, grounded in an understanding of low energy nuclear physics.

A characteristic of the curriculum is the development of practical skills through hands-on education. This begins with a hands-on design course in rapid prototyping & design thinking in nuclear (22.03), continues through a laboratory course on radiation physics, measurement and protection (22.09), and through the laboratory components and exercises of the electronics (22.071 elective), radiation biophysics (22.055 elective) and computation (1.000, 2.086, 6.00, 12.010) courses. The concept of hands-on learning is continued with a 15-unit design/maker course, 22.033, focusing on nuclear systems and a 12-unit undergraduate thesis that is normally organized between the student and a faculty member of the department. Thesis subjects can touch on any area of nuclear science and engineering, including nuclear energy applications (fission and fusion) and nuclear science and technology (medical, physical, chemical, security and materials). Additional information is available from the student's departmental advisor, from the departmental undergraduate office (Room 24-104) or the undergraduate chair (Prof. Jacopo Buongiorno).

The Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Science and Engineering prepares students for careers in the applications and engineering of low energy nuclear physics, and related disciplines spanning mechanical, electrical, computational, materials, and systems engineering. This includes the design, analysis and operation of radiation systems (such as fission/fusion reactors, accelerators and other radiation sources), in various applications of radiation (including biomedical), and for graduate study in a wide range of engineering and physical sciences.

The degree programs in Course XXII are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.