Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, M.S.
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-12-15 | - |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a comprehensive curriculum in radiation interaction, engineering physics, and nuclear applications. Students can pursue a thesis or non-thesis option, with coursework in nuclear instrumentation, reactor laboratory, and health physics. Graduates are prepared for careers in research, design, operations, safety, and education in the nuclear industry.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a comprehensive program that offers instruction and research in the principles of radiation interaction with matter and their applications, as well as in several areas of engineering physics. The program places a strong emphasis on engineering and applied science components, with a focus on the research, design, development, and deployment of fission reactors; fusion engineering; plasma physics; radiation damage to materials; applied superconductivity and cryogenics; and large-scale computing in engineering science. The master's degree in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics can be pursued as a terminal degree in the fission area and in various engineering physics areas, but it is not generally recommended as a final degree in fusion research; students interested in fusion should plan to pursue the Ph.D. degree.
Outline:
The Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics program consists of coursework, research, and a thesis or non-thesis option.
Coursework:
- Required courses:
- N E 427: Nuclear Instrumentation Laboratory
- N E 428: Nuclear Reactor Laboratory or N E 526: Laboratory Course in Plasmas
- N E 408: Ionizing Radiation or N E/MED PHYS 569: Health Physics and Biological Effects
- Elective courses:
- Students must take at least 15 credits of N E courses numbered 400 or above, and the remaining credits must be in appropriate technical areas, such as engineering departments (except Engineering and Professional Development), Physics, Math, Statistics, Computer Science, Medical Physics, and Chemistry.
- Thesis option:
- Students must complete a minimum of 8 credits of N E courses numbered 400 or above, and the remaining credits must be in appropriate technical areas.
- Students must also complete a thesis that is defended orally in front of a three-member committee.
- Non-thesis option:
- Students must complete at least 15 credits of N E courses numbered 400 or above, and the remaining credits must be in appropriate technical areas.
- Students must also pass an oral examination that is administered by a three-member committee.
Assessment:
Students in the Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics program are assessed through a variety of methods, including:
- Coursework: Students are assessed on their understanding of course material through exams, quizzes, and assignments.
- Research: Students are assessed on their research skills through their thesis or non-thesis project.
- Oral examinations: Students must pass an oral examination to complete the program.
Teaching:
The Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are actively involved in research in their fields. The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Lectures: Students attend lectures that cover the fundamental principles of nuclear engineering and engineering physics.
- Tutorials: Students attend tutorials to reinforce their understanding of lecture material.
- Laboratories: Students participate in laboratory experiments to gain hands-on experience with nuclear engineering and engineering physics equipment.
- Research projects: Students conduct research projects under the supervision of a faculty member.
Careers:
Graduates of the Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are prepared for a variety of careers in the nuclear industry, including:
- Research and development: Graduates can work in research and development laboratories to develop new nuclear technologies.
- Design and engineering: Graduates can work in the design and engineering of nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities.
- Operations and maintenance: Graduates can work in the operations and maintenance of nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities.
- Safety and regulation: Graduates can work in the safety and regulation of nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities.
- Education: Graduates can teach nuclear engineering and engineering physics at universities and colleges.
Entry Requirements:
- Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, or physical science, and an undergraduate record that indicates an ability to successfully pursue graduate study.
- International applicants must have a degree comparable to a regionally accredited U.S. bachelor’s degree.
- All applicants must satisfy requirements that are set forth by the Graduate School.
- It is highly recommended that students take courses that cover the same material as these UW-Madison courses before entering the program:
- Differential equations, 3 cr
- Advanced mathematics, 3 cr
- Nuclear physics, 3 cr
- Materials science, metallurgy, or solid-state physics, 3 cr
- Heat transfer or fluid mechanics, 3 cr
- Mechanics, 3 cr
- Students may enter without having taken these courses. However, in such cases the students must inform their advisors, who will help them plan courses of study that will provide adequate background for our department's graduate curriculum.
- Provisions for admission on probation, or as an applicant for more than one master's degree (e.g., simultaneous MS degrees in two departments) are given in the Graduate School website.
- GPA: The Graduate School requires a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 basis on the equivalent of the last 60 semester hours from the most recent bachelor's degree. In special cases, students with grade point averages lower than 3.0 who meet all the general requirements of the Graduate School may be considered for admission on probation.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- Every applicant whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English must provide an English proficiency test score and meet the Graduate School minimum requirements (https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/requirements/#english-proficiency).
