Program Overview

Master of Science - Materials and Nuclear Engineering

About

The Master of Science in Materials and Nuclear Engineering (M.S.M.N.E.) is intended to provide the student with a solid background in either applied nuclear science and engineering, with an emphasis in used fuel management, criticality, or radiation detection, or material science and engineering, with an emphasis in materials performance. The program consists of two master’s degree tracks: Materials Engineering and Nuclear Engineering.

Available Options

• Non-Thesis Track
• Thesis Track
• Integrated BS-MS Track
• Nuclear Engineering - Online

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please refer to Academic Program Accreditations.

Learning Outcomes

M.S.M.N.E. Non-Thesis Track

The M.S.M.N.E. non-thesis track strives to provide a learning centered environment where accomplished faculty share their experience and knowledge with students so that graduates of the program can:

• Demonstrate an advanced technical knowledge of state-of-the-art and evolving areas associated with the mechanical engineering field so that they can lead and direct engineering and scientific industry teams in their chosen field of study.
• Demonstrate the ability to solve open-ended design problems.

Outcomes

Graduates of the program will demonstrate a strong technical knowledge in chosen mechanical engineering field by passing a comprehensive exam or a design project in the student's major area of study near the completion of the degree program.

Assessment

1. Comprehensive exam/design project.
2. Track graduates career shortly after graduation.

Requirement

Requires 30 credits of approved graduate courses. At least 18 credits must be earned from 700-level courses, of which 15 credits must be in engineering. To complete the Non-Thesis option, students must also successfully complete the Design Project course (ME 796-Design Project in Mechanical Engineering) or pass a comprehensive written and oral exit exam before receiving their degree.

M.S.M.N.E. Thesis Track

The M.S.M.N.E. thesis track strives to provide a learning centered environment where accomplished faculty share their experience and knowledge with students so that graduates of the program can:

• Demonstrate an advanced technical knowledge of state-of-the-art and evolving areas associated with the mechanical engineering field so that they can lead and direct engineering and scientific industry teams in their chosen field of study.
• Demonstrate the ability to work creatively and independently on research topics.

Outcomes

Graduates of the program will:

1. Demonstrate a strong technical knowledge in chosen mechanical engineering field by successfully completing course work and integrating knowledge learned in their course work into a thesis.
2. Demonstrate the ability to learn independently by completing a creative or research project and reporting on this activity in a thesis which should include:
   • A hypothesis (or hypotheses).
   • A set of objectives and goals.
   • A critical literature review.
   • A theoretical, experimental and/or modeling study.
   • A conclusion.
3. Demonstrate the ability to communicate technical information both orally and in writing at an acceptable level of proficiency.

Assessment

1. MS thesis.
2. Thesis defense (oral exam).
3. Track graduates career shortly after graduation.

Requirement

Requires 30 credits of approved graduate courses. At least 18 credits must be earned from 700-level courses, of which 15 credits must be in engineering. To complete the Non-Thesis option, students must also successfully complete the Design Project course (ME 796-Design Project in Mechanical Engineering) or pass a comprehensive written and oral exit exam before receiving their degree.

Career Possibilities

Nuclear engineers research and develop the processes, instruments, and systems used to derive benefits from nuclear energy and radiation. They design, develop, monitor, and operate nuclear plants used to generate power. They may work on the nuclear fuel cycle, the production, handling, and use of nuclear fuel and the safe disposal of waste produced by nuclear energy. Some specialize in the development of nuclear power sources; others find industrial and medical uses for radioactive materials, such as equipment to diagnose and treat medical problems.

About a half of nuclear engineers work for utility companies, and the rest in engineering consulting firms and Federal Government. More than half of all federally employed nuclear engineers are civilian employees of the Navy, and most of the rest worked for the Department of Energy. Some worked for defense manufacturers or manufacturers of nuclear power equipment.

Requirements

Plan Description

The Master of Science degree is intended to provide the student with a solid background in either applied nuclear science and engineering, with an emphasis in used fuel management, criticality, or radiation detection, or material science and engineering, with an emphasis in materials performance. The program consists of two master's degree subplans: Materials Engineering and Nuclear Engineering.

The materials engineering subplan consists of a core curriculum in material science, metallurgy, and materials performance, which is to be augmented by advanced level classes in corrosion engineering, physical metallurgy, mechanical metallurgy, mechanics of materials, and nuclear materials.

The nuclear engineering subplan consists of a core curriculum in applied nuclear science and engineering, coupled with advanced classes in the student's sub discipline. The nuclear engineering subplan has an online option.

Plan Admission Requirements

• Application Deadlines: Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.
• All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Graduate College Admission Requirements

1. Completed application in the Application Portal and non-refundable application fee.
2. Bachelor's Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
3. All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts required upon admission.

Department Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate College, an applicant for the M.S. program must complete the following requirements:

1. A written statement of purpose indicating interests and objectives in working toward a M.S. degree.
2. Two letters of recommendation using the online recommendation system. There is no specified format. Each letter should detail the potential of the applicant for success in this M.S. program.
3. The applicant must have a bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related discipline. Admitted students with non-engineering backgrounds will be required to complete a set of courses that will assure successful completion of the M.S. specialization and qualify the student to sit for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. The Graduate Program Committee or Graduate Coordinator will specify a list of required undergraduate courses that must be completed within the first year. These courses are in addition to those required for the graduate degree.
4. The GPC will examine the applicant's academic record and will make the final determination of the applicant's admissibility to the M.S. program. In general, a minimum post-baccalaureate GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale or equivalent is required for admission in addition to a GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale or equivalent in all engineering courses.

Subplan Requirements

Subplan 1: Non-Thesis

• Total Credits Required: 30
• Course Requirements:
  • Required Courses - Credits: 9
  • Electives - Credits: 18
  • Design Project - Credits: 3
• Degree Requirements:
  • Requires 30 credits of approved graduate courses. At least 18 credits must be earned from 700-level courses, and 15 credits must be in engineering.
  • Students must make satisfactory progress toward degree completion as defined below:
    • File an approved degree program before the completion of nine credits of coursework.
    • Complete at least six credits of the approved program per calendar year.
    • Maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale with no grades below C. Grades of C- or below are not acceptable.
• Graduation Requirements:
  • Successfully complete a design project.
  • Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.

Subplan 2: Thesis

• Total Credits Required: 30
• Course Requirements:
  • Required Courses - Credits: 9
  • Electives - Credits: 15
  • Thesis - Credits: 6
• Degree Requirements:
  • Requires 24 credits of approved graduate courses plus six credits of work associated with the master's level thesis, for a total of 30 credits. At least 15 credits must be earned from 700-level courses, and at least 15 credits must be in engineering. The final examination will include a defense of thesis.
  • Students must make satisfactory progress toward degree completion as defined below:
    • File an approved degree program before the completion of nine credits of coursework.
    • Complete at least six credits of the approved program per calendar year.
    • Maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale with no grades below C. Grades of C- or below are not acceptable.
• Graduation Requirements:
  • The student must submit and successfully defend their thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
  • After the thesis defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their thesis to the Graduate College for format check. Once the thesis format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest. Deadlines for thesis defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found here.
  • Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.

Subplan 3: Integrated BS-MS

• Total Credits Required: 21-27
• Course Requirements:
  • Required Courses - Credits: 9
  • Electives - Credits: 6-12
  • Thesis - Credits: 6
• Degree Requirements:
  • Total credits required depends on the total number of approved graduate-level course work taken as technical electives (with a grade of B or better) during the senior year.
  • Requires 15-21 credits of approved graduate courses plus six credits of work associated with the master's level thesis, for a total of 21-27 credits. At least 15 credits must be earned from 700-level courses, and at least 15 credits must be in engineering. The final examination will include a defense of thesis.
  • Students must make satisfactory progress toward degree completion as defined below:
    • File an approved degree program before the completion of nine credits of coursework.
    • Complete at least six credits of the approved program per calendar year.
    • Maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale with no grades below C. Grades of C- or below are not acceptable.
• Graduation Requirements:
  • The student must submit and successfully defend their thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
  • After the thesis defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their thesis to the Graduate College for format check. Once the thesis format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest. Deadlines for thesis defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found here.
  • Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.

Subplan 4: Nuclear Engineering - (Fully Online option* available)

• Total Credits Required: 30
• Course Requirements:
  • Required Courses – Credits: 21
  • Elective Courses – Credits: 6
  • Design Project – Credits: 3
• Degree Requirements:
  • This subplan is available In-Person, Blended (courses available in person and/or online), or Fully Online (Please see the Fully Online Modality Tracks in Programs section of this Catalog for more information).
  • Requires 30 credits of approved graduate courses. At least 18 credits must be earned from 700-level courses and 15 credits must be in engineering.
  • Students must make satisfactory progress toward degree completion as defined below:
    • File an approved degree program before the completion of nine credits of coursework.
    • Complete at least six credits of the approved program per calendar year.
    • Maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale with no grades below C. Grades of C- or below are not acceptable.
• Graduation Requirements:
  • Successfully complete a design project.
  • Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.