Skip to content. Did You Know? Nuclear engineering saves lives. A form of radiation technology called sterile insect technique SIT has not only reduced the need for pesticides in insect control, but has also successfully controlled disease vectors such as the African Tsetse fly, which transmits sleeping sickness as well as illness in cattle.
The origins of the nuclear engineering field lie in the discovery by Antoine Henri Becquerel of spontaneous radioactivity in uranium. He shared his Nobel Prize with Pierre and Marie Curie, who further explored the properties of radiation.
Engineers can prepare for the exam by reviewing the PE exam specifications, understanding scoring and reporting, studying the reference materials and supplied guide, and viewing the most up-to-date PE exam pass rates. Similar to the certification as a professional engineer, board and professional certifications are another way to advance a career in nuclear engineering.
These focus on niche areas and demonstrate that a nuclear engineer is an expert in the field, whether on a broad or narrow scope. The following are the most common types of advanced certifications. The American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine ABSNM offers certifications in the following specialties: nuclear physics and instrumentation, radiopharmaceutical science; radiation protection; and molecular imaging.
A certificate from the ABSNM validates that its holder has successfully completed the specific study and professional experience requirements, which the Board deems necessary to hold an adequate foundation in nuclear medicine science.
Candidates must pass an exam testifying to this ability and competence in the field. Several nuclear engineering schools offer graduate certificates or other certificates in the nuclear engineering field. These certifications may give nuclear engineers an edge when competing for jobs or advancements. Examples of some certificates include:.
Prospective nuclear engineers may be interested in finding out potential earnings and job growth projections for the future. Fortunately for people seeking careers in this field, nuclear engineering is relatively lucrative and secure concerning future job opportunities. According to the U. The BLS projected that nuclear engineering employment would decrease between and —an expected loss of 2, jobs nationwide. Although positions in electric power generation are projected to decline, increases in the fields of research and development in engineering and scientific, management, and technical consulting services are expected.
Lastly, professional and educational nuclear engineering organizations support students and professionals throughout their careers. They provide career and training information, professional networking opportunities, continuing education courses, and more. Now-and-future nuclear engineers may find the following agencies helpful:.
Rachel Drummond is a freelance writer, educator, and yogini from Oregon. A dedicated Ashtanga yoga practitioner What Does a Nuclear Engineer Do? Related Articles 20 Exceptional Nuclear Engineering Professors From radiological medicine and power generation to national defense and hydrogen cell creation, it is difficult to overstate the impact nuclear engineers can have on our world and lives.
Meet these exceptional professors of nuclear engineering. Select Your State - Outside of U. Here are some examples of typical admission requirements from actual nuclear engineering schools: Minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.
However, if you're set on a career in the nuclear industry, a number of institutions provide undergraduate courses in the field. To find out more, see Nuclear Institute - Universities. Courses take three years to complete full time four with a placement year , and require A-level mathematics and a physical science subject.
During the first year of the course you'll gain a general understanding of engineering. In the second year you can choose to specialise in nuclear engineering by opting for modules such as 'Nuclear Chemistry', 'Nuclear Engineering Systems' and 'Nuclear Safety'.
In the final year you'll apply your skills to an individual project. While a Masters degree isn't essential, studying for a postgraduate qualification will increase your knowledge, help you to gain industry contacts and could make you stand out from the competition when applying for jobs.
For entry onto a postgraduate course you'll generally need a or above. This is the case if you want to study the MSc Nuclear Science and Engineering programme at the University of Bristol, where your first degree needs to be in an engineering or science subject. Nuclear should play a key role for producing large amounts of clear base load energy. There are challenges associated with the development of more nuclear capacity that need to be tackled, from developing economies of scale to the development of new materials to underpin more efficient reactors.
This in combination with a shortage of nuclear experts, makes our course necessary to supplying the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers that will make these changes possible,' says Dr Nicolas Larrosa, senior lecturer in Structural Integrity and Nuclear MSc programme director at the University of Bristol.
Our graduates not only have an outstanding competitive advantage when securing roles in the industry, but also gain a range of cross-sectorial skills. The programme also includes an industry-set challenge and a major individual research project, for which the practical work takes place over the summer,' adds Nicolas. You'll be assessed through laboratory exercises, written coursework, presentations and exams. Therefore the course includes more legal, managerial, legislative and financial aspects than one might see on a more technically-focused course.
Search postgraduate courses in nuclear engineering and learn more about available postgraduate funding. The demand for talented graduates is set to increase in the coming years as the government builds new reactors such as the ones being built by EDF Energy at Hinkley Point C in Somerset and by Horizon on the Isle of Anglesey and Oldbury-on-Severn in South Gloucestershire , as well as decommissioning 17 existing sites across the UK, the most high-profile of which is Sellafield in Cumbria.
These projects are set to create thousands of jobs, so what can graduates do with a nuclear engineering degree? A variety of jobs are available, both in the nuclear and non-nuclear sectors as engineering is a highly transferable skill. Within the nuclear sector, you could build new power stations or decommission redundant facilities or get involved in project management or design.
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