Engineering: Nuclear Engineering (ENNU)

Abstract

Nuclear and radiation engineering is the branch of engineering that encompasses the use of the energy from nuclear sources and systems. The field of nuclear and radiation engineering combines fundamental science with the most advanced technologies today. Applications include nuclear generated electricity, materials processing, medical procedures, environmental restoration and remediation, and medical and consumer product sterilization. Radiation engineering is used in manufacturing processes to modify existing materials and to develop new ones. Radiation hardened electronics are used in satellites. Radioisotopes are produced and used for materials processing, chemical processing, and wastewater treatment.

Courses and research work emphasize three areas of concentration: Nuclear Systems, Radiation Engineering, and Safety and Reliability. A student works with his or her advisor to establish an individual plan of graduate study compatible with background and goals. Areas of specialization include: nuclear safety analysis, radiation processing and manufacturing, radiation sciences, risk assessment, reliability analysis, thermal hydraulics, and computational fluid dynamics.

Admissions Information

The Program offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees and is open to qualified students holding a bachelor's degree from accredited programs in any of the engineering and science areas. In some cases, it may be necessary to require background courses to fulfill prerequisites. In addition to Graduate School admission requirements, the Department announces special degree requirements in its publications.

Application Deadlines

Fall

Spring

Domestic Applicants:
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

Domestic Applicant Deadlines

Applications must be received by February 1 (February 1 preferred) .

Applications must be received by August 1 (August 1 preferred) .

International Applicants:
Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials

IMPORTANT: International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.

Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas

February 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1

June 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1

Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants

May 1
If Domestic Deadline is after May 1

October 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials

May 15
If Domestic Deadline is after May 15

October 31
If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Application Requirements

GRE General
3 Letters of Recommendation

	Fall	Spring
Domestic Applicants: U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
Domestic Applicant Deadlines	Applications must be received by February 1 (February 1 preferred) .	Applications must be received by August 1 (August 1 preferred) .

International Applicants: Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials IMPORTANT: International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.
Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas	February 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1	June 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants	May 1 If Domestic Deadline is after May 1	October 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials	May 15 If Domestic Deadline is after May 15	October 31 If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Degree Requirements

Master of Science or Master of Engineering (M.S. or M.E.)
The M.S. degree program offers thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option requires 24 credit hours of course work plus a thesis. The non-thesis option requires 30 credit hours of course work, a written examination and a scholarly research paper. All students must complete the Program Core course requirements as well as all Graduate School requirements. In addition to an M.S. degree, the department also offers a Master of Engineering (M.E.) degree.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
To enter the Ph.D. degree program, students must complete the M.S. Program Core level courses prior to taking the Ph.D. qualifying examination. Those admitted to the Ph.D. program must complete a minimum of 18 course credits beyond the M.S. degree. All candidates must also register for a minimum of 12 credit hours of ENNU 899 - Doctoral Dissertation Research, in addition to meeting all dissertation and final oral examination requirements.

Facilities and Special Resources

Special facilities available for graduate study include a 250 KW nuclear reactor, a large scale integral thermal hydraulic facility, a large gamma source, an 8-MeV Electron Linear Accelerator, and various analyzers and detectors. In addition, there are considerable computer and graphics facilities available. The Laboratory for Polymer and Radiation Science has extensive facilities for investigating radiation effects in materials.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance in the form of teaching and research assistantships and sponsored fellowships are available to qualified students.

Contact Information

Prof. Aris Christou
2309 Chemical/Nuclear Engineering Building
University of Maryland College Park
MD 20742
Telephone: (301) 405-5208
ennugrad@deans.umd.edu

Courses: ENNU

Related Programs and Campus Units

Engineering: Professional Master of Engineering
Center for Superconductivity Research