2002-2003 Edition
Texas A&M University Undergraduate CatalogTexas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog
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Curriculum in Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear engineering deals with the application and utilization of energy from nuclear sources. To supply qualified engineers, the Department of Nuclear Engineering offers curricula leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering and in Radiological Health Engineering (see ). Both degrees are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The Texas A&M Radiological Health Engineering degree is the only one which is ABET accredited in the United States. The present and increasing demand for nuclear and radiological health engineers assures Texas A&M graduates will have a challenging and rewarding career.

The use of nuclear energy for the production of electrical power is a mature industry. Nuclear engineers work on all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle and for many different types of employers such as government and private labs, regulatory agencies, reactor vendors, utilities and architect engineers. In addition, nuclear energy for space applications is a rapidly expanding field. Radioisotope technology in industry and medicine requires a large number of well-trained radiological health engineers.

Most of the facilities used in the M.S. and Ph.D. programs are also used in the undergraduate degree programs. These facilities make the Department of Nuclear Engineering one of the best equipped in the United States. Texas A&M is now the only university in the United States with two research reactors on its campus.

The nuclear engineering baccalaureate degree programs stress engineering science fundamentals and mathematics. However, a considerable number of elective hours is available in the curriculum to permit students to broaden their education as desired.

(See Freshman Year1)
Sophomore Year
First Semester
(Th-Pr)
Cr
Second Semester
(Th-Pr)
Cr
ENGR 211 Conserv. Prin. of Engr. Mech.

(2-2)

3

 

CPSC 203 Intro. to Computing

(3-0)

3
ENGR 212 Conserv. Prin. in Thermal Sci.

(2-2)

3

 

ENGR 214 Conserv. Principles in Continuum Mechanics

(2-2)

3
MATH 251 Engineering Mathematics III

(3-0)

3

 

ENGR 215 Prin. of Electrical Engr.

(2-2)

3
NUEN 201 Intro. to Nuc. Engr. I

(3-0)

3

 

MATH 308 Differential Equations

(3-0)

3
Elective 2

 

3

 

NUEN 202 Intro. to Nuc. Engr. II

(3-0)

3
 

 

15

 

 

 

15
 
Junior Year
ENGL 301 Technical Writing 4

 

 

 

INEN 302 Econ. Analysis of Engr. Proj.

(2-0)

2
or

 

 

 

MATH 417 Numerical Analysis I

(3-3)

4
COMM 203 Public Speaking 3

(3-0)

3

 

MEEN 344 Fluid Mechanics

(3-0)

3
ENGR 213 Prin. of Materials Engr.

(2-2)

3

 

NUEN 402 Nuc. Detection and Isotopes

(2-3)

3
MATH 311 Topics in Appl. Mathematics I

(3-0)

3

 

NUEN 404 Nuclear Reactor Analysis

(3-0)

3
NUEN 401 Nuclear Reactor Theory

(3-0)

3

 

Elective 2

 

3
NUEN 409 Radiological Safety

(3-0)

3

 

 

 

18
 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 
Senior Year
MEEN 461 Heat Transfer

(3-0)

3

 

ENGR 482 Ethics and Engineering

(2-2)

3
NUEN 405 Nuc. Engineering Experiments

(2-3)

3

 

NUEN 410 Design of Nuclear Reactors

(4-0)

4
NUEN 406 Nuc. Engr. Sys. and Design

(2-0)

2

 

NUEN 481 Seminar

(1-0)

1
NUEN 430 Comp. Appl. in Nuc. Engr.

(2-0)

2

 

Technical electives 3

 

6
Technical elective 3

 

3

 

Elective 2

 

3
Elective 2

 

3

 

 

 

17
 

 

16

 

 

 

 

NOTES:
1. NUEN 101 is also required during the first semester of the freshman year.

2. To be selected from the University Core Curriculum. Of the 18 hours shown as University Core Curriculum electives, 3 must be from visual and performing arts, 3 from social and behavioral sciences, 6 from U.S. history, 6 from POLS 206 and 207, and 6 from international and cultural diversity. The international and cultural diversity requirement may be met by courses satisfying the visual and performing arts, social and behavioral sciences, and the political science and history requirements if they are also on the approved list of international and cultural diversity courses. In addition, ENGR 482/ PHIL 482 must be taken.

3. As approved by departmental advisor.

4. ENGL 210 is an acceptable substitute.

The overriding objective of the program is to prepare students for success in their professional endeavors following the baccalaureate degree. These endeavors may include direct employment in the private or public sector; graduate studies in engineering or science; professional studies in medicine, business, law or public administration; service in the military; or entrepreneurial activities. To achieve this objective, four principal educational objectives are identified. Texas A&M's Nuclear Engineering graduates are:

  1. Well prepared to address current and future technical challenges in their areas of specialization.
    Graduates are prepared in the foundation subjects of mathematics, physics and chemistry, as well as engineering science and nuclear engineering/radiological health engineering. Graduates have the demonstrated ability to analyze data and phenomena, solve engineering problems, synthesize information and design engineering systems. Graduates are able to utilize recent developments in the field and approaches that have technical merit. Graduates work effectively as members of teams and have refined communication skills.
  1. Understand professionalism and professional ethics.
    Graduates have an understanding of the choices and challenges that they face as part of their careers and the implications of their decisions within an ethical framework.
  1. Have a broad cultural background and appreciation of international perspectives.
    Graduates understand and appreciate the issues facing society in local, global, historical, social, economical and political contexts.
  1. Accept responsibility for their continuing education as life-long learners.
    Graduates recognize the need for learning throughout life and accept their responsibilities for life-long learning.