Program Overview

Nuclear Engineering Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS)

The Bachelor of Science and Honors Bachelor of Science degrees in Nuclear Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The goals of the nuclear engineering curriculum are to prepare students for careers related to the many beneficial uses of nuclear technology and energy. Nuclear engineers apply engineering principles to the research, design, and operation of a wide variety of nuclear technology applications including power generation, medicine, and radioactive waste management.

Program Educational Objectives Nuclear Engineering

The OSU Nuclear Engineering Program effectively prepares students for careers and professional accomplishments in the nuclear engineering industry through its established Program Educational Objectives.

Major Code: 327

Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
• Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
• Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
• Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
• Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
• Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
• Apply knowledge of atomic and nuclear physics to nuclear and radiological systems and processes.
• Apply knowledge of transport and interaction of radiation with matter to nuclear and radiation processes.
• Measure nuclear and radiation processes.
• Work professionally in one or more of the nuclear or radiological fields of specialization.

Plan of Study Grid

The plan of study is outlined over four years, with specific courses and credits required each term.

First Year

• Fall:
  • CH 201: Chemistry for Engineering Majors (3 credits)
  • ENGR 100: The Oregon State Engineering Student (3 credits)
  • MTH 251: Differential Calculus (4 credits)
  • WR 121Z: Composition I (4 credits)
• Winter:
  • CH 202: Chemistry for Engineering Majors (3 credits)
  • COMM 111Z or COMM 114: Public Speaking or Argument and Critical Discourse (3-4 credits)
  • ENGR 102: Design Engineering and Problem Solving (3 credits)
  • MTH 252: Integral Calculus (4 credits)
  • HHS 231: Lifetime Fitness for Health (2 credits)
  • HHS 241: Lifetime Fitness (1 credit)
• Spring:
  • ENGR 103: Engineering Computation and Algorithmic Thinking (3 credits)
  • MTH 254: Vector Calculus I (4 credits)
  • PH 211: General Physics with Calculus (4 credits)
  • Perspectives (3 credits)

Second Year

• Fall:
  • ENGR 211: Statics (3 credits)
  • NSE 234: Nuclear and Radiation Physics I (3 credits)
  • PH 212: General Physics with Calculus (4 credits)
  • MTH 256: Applied Differential Equations (4 credits)
• Winter:
  • ENGR 213: Strength of Materials (3 credits)
  • NSE 235: Nuclear and Radiation Physics II (3 credits)
  • PH 213: General Physics with Calculus (4 credits)
  • MTH 264: Introduction to Matrix Algebra (2 credits)
  • MTH 265: Introduction to Series (2 credits)
• Spring:
  • ENGR 212: Dynamics (3 credits)
  • NSE 233: Mathematical Methods for NSE (3 credits)
  • NSE 236: Nuclear Radiation Detection and Instrumentation (4 credits)
  • ENGR 201: Electrical Fundamentals I (3 credits)
  • Perspectives (3 credits)

Third Year

• Fall:
  • ENGR 390: Engineering Economy (3 credits)
  • NSE 451: Neutronic Analysis I (3 credits)
  • NSE 311: Introduction to Thermal-Fluid Sciences (4 credits)
  • WR 227Z: Technical Writing (4 credits)
  • Perspectives (3 credits)
• Winter:
  • MATS 321: Introduction to Materials Science (4 credits)
  • NSE 312: Thermodynamics (4 credits)
  • NSE 331: Fluid Mechanics (4 credits)
  • NSE 452: Neutronic Analysis II (3 credits)
• Spring:
  • ENGR 248: Engineering Graphics and 3-D Modeling (3 credits)
  • NSE 332: Heat Transfer (4 credits)
  • NSE 457: Nuclear Reactor Laboratory (2 credits)
  • Perspectives (3 credits)
  • Biological Science Course with Lab (4 credits)

Fourth Year

• Fall:
  • NSE 407: Seminar (1 credit)
  • NSE 467: Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics (4 credits)
  • NSE 473: Nuclear Reactor Systems Analysis (3 credits)
  • NSE 481: Radiation Protection (4 credits)
  • NSE 415: Nuclear Rules and Regulations (2 credits)
• Winter:
  • NSE 407: Seminar (1 credit)
  • NSE 474: Nuclear Systems Design I (4 credits)
  • Synthesis (3 credits)
  • Difference, Power & Discrimination (3 credits)
  • Restricted Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (2 credits)
• Spring:
  • NSE 407: Seminar (1 credit)
  • NSE 435: Radiation Shielding and External Dosimetry (4 credits)
  • NSE 475: Nuclear Systems Design II (4 credits)
  • Synthesis (3 credits)
  • Restricted Elective (3 credits)

Total Credits: 181-182