Program Information

Quality Programs Available On-Line

The Penn State College of Engineering's graduate programs in industrial engineering and nuclear engineering were ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, by a national survey released March 15 by U.S. News & World Report. The college's graduate program was ranked 25th overall. The information will appear in U.S. News & World Report's publication, "Best Graduate Schools 2012," which will go on sale April 5, 2011.

Read more at: http://live.psu.edu/story/51961#nw54

This quality instruction is available on-line from the Office of Continuing & Distance Education in Engineering and the Department of Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering. The Program has developed a series of courses, that are delivered live and/or on-demand video over the Internet, and will lead to a Master’s of Engineering in Nuclear Engineering degree.

Requirements

The Master of Engineering degree requires 27 credits of course work plus 3 credits of research/paper writing (NucE 596) to complete the degree. Eighteen (18) credits must be 500 level courses (including the paper credits – NucE 596). At least six (6) credits of the 500 level courses must be NucE courses. The remaining 12 credits may be 400 level courses. At least 12 credits must be NucE courses (400 or 500 level courses). You may begin the program as a non-degree graduate student. However, you can only complete 12 credits as a non-degree graduate student. You will need to apply as a degree seeking student to continue in the program beyond 12 credits.

Special Note Regarding Nuce 596 Professional Topics Paper

You should be thinking of a paper topic early on in this program. You are required to get a paper topic and advisor approved before you register for the paper credits (NucE 596). There is a submission form for this information under the Forms and Program Resources tab. You should start this process early, before you register for the paper credits. You can be working on your paper for months before actually registering for the paper credits. The process goes like this:

1. Submit the Professional Topic and Advisor Selection Form, after you have chosen a topic and researched which faculty member is in your chosen area. (See the form for directions).
2. Receive approval on your paper topic and acceptance by your chosen advisor. Please see the Program Requirements for more details on completing the Scholarly Paper.
3. Submit an outline of your paper to your advisor and get feedback. Correspond with your advisor and get their comments.
4. It takes time for your advisor to review your paper and make comments. It is important that you allow enough time for several reviews and revisions to be made throughout the paper approval process.
5. If you feel you will graduate this semester, you must go to eLion and file your intent to graduate form. See Forms and Resources for dates and links.

The minimum level of MATH needed to register for a graduate level nuclear engineering course is:

• Calculus With Analytic Geometry I:  Functions, limits; analytic geometry; derivatives, differentials, applications; integrals, applications
• Calculus with Analytic Geometry II:  Derivatives, integrals, applications; sequences and series; analytic geometry; polar coordinates
• Matrices :  Systems of linear equations; matrix algebra; eigenvalues and eigenvectors; linear systems of differential equations
• Calculus and Vector Analysis:  Three-dimensional analytic geometry; vectors in space; partial differentiation; double and triple integrals; integral vector calculus
• Calculus of Several Variables:  Analytic geometry in space; partial differentiation and applications
• Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations:   First- and second-order equations; special functions; Laplace transform solutions; higher order equations; Fourier series; partial differential equations
• Ordinary Differential Equations:  First- and second-order equations; special functions; Laplace transform solutions; higher order equations

The minimum level of PHYSICS needed to register for a graduate level nuclear engineering course is:

• Mechanics:  Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of mechanics: motion, force, Newton's laws, energy, collisions, and rotation
• Electricity and Magnetism:   Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of electricity and magnetism
• Wave Motion and Quantum Physics:  Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of wave motion, geometrical optics, interference phenomena, photons, wave mechanics, and the structure of matter
• Introduction to Modern Physics:  Relativity and quantum theory applied to selected topics in atomic, molecular, solid state, and nuclear physics

Course Web Sites

• NucE 403 Advanced Reactor Design
• NucE 405 Nuclear and Radiochemistry
• NucE 406 Introduction to Statistical Thermodynamics
• NucE 409 Nuclear Materials
• NucE 420 Radiological Safety
• NucE 430 Design Principles of Reactor Systems
• NucE 428 Nuclear Waste Control
• ME/NucE 466 (460) Reliability Concepts in Design
• NucE 497A Introduction to Nuclear Engineering
• NucE 497C Dynamic Modeling of Energy Systems
• NucE 497D Radiation Measurement Lab
• NucE 497I Fuel Performance
• NucE 501 Reactor Design
• NucE 502 Advanced Thermal Hydraulic Analysis
• NucE 505 Reactor Instrumentation and Control
• NucE 511 Nuclear Kinitics and Dynamics
• NucE 512 Nuclear Reactor Statics and Fuel Management
• NucE 521 Neutron Transport Theory
• NucE/METALS 523 Environmental Degradation of Materials in Nuclear Power Plants
• NucE 525 Monte Carlo Methods
• NucE 596 Professional Topics in Nuclear Engineering
• NucE 597C Nuclear Reactor Safety
• NucE 597F Introduction to Nuclear Fusion
• IE 402 Advance Engineering Economy
• ME 410 Heat Transfer
• ME 422 Principles of Turbo Machinery
• ME 461 Applied Finite Element Analysis
• ME 513 Advanced Heat Transfer
• ME 560 Solid Mechanics
• ME 565 Optimal Design of Mechanical and Structural Systems
• ME 581 Simulation of Mechanical Systems
• ME 597B Optimal Control Of Energy Systems
• ME 597C Battery Systems Engineering