A Description of Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear engineers work with radioactive materials

Nuclear engineers study nuclear processes and apply that knowledge to develop practical applications and technologies. Nuclear engineers have applied their knowledge into fields such as energy, national defense, medical diagnostics and advanced research.



Nuclear engineers are college trained, and there are many career options for those with a bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree. The field pays well for qualified graduates.

Education

Nuclear engineering requires college education in a nuclear science program. It's common for nuclear engineers to double major in a field related to their area of nuclear engineering, such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and material science and engineering.

Salary

Nuclear engineering is a highly skilled profession that pays a high salary. Starting rates for college graduates as of 2008 averaged around $55,000, master's graduates average $60,000 to $65,000 and doctorate researchers start around $80,000 a year.

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear power uses nuclear engineering.

Nuclear energy is a major field for nuclear engineers. Nuclear fission plants, which generate energy by breaking open atoms, account for 20 percent of the United States electricity. There are 103 nuclear plants in the United States and 433 total worldwide. Most existing nuclear plants are expected to renew their operating licenses past 2030, providing long term jobs.

Nuclear engineers work at plants to increase safety and reliability. A growing area is a design of the next generation of nuclear fission plants that use new cooling methods to produce energy.

Nuclear fusion is another area of promising research. Fusion energy comes from energy released when atoms are stuck together. In theory, one ounce of fusion material could provide as much energy as 300 tons of coal.

Medical Science

MRI techonlogy is developed by nuclear engineers.

Nuclear engineering plays an important role in the development of new medical devices. Nuclear technology plays a role in one third of all medical procedures performed, including diagnostic and treatments for diseases. Cancer treatments and MRI machines are technologies that have been developed as a result of nuclear engineering.

Nuclear Waste Management

Nuclear waste is the result of the use of nuclear material in fission energy, research and medicinal use. The left over material presents a health and environmental hazard, making proper disposal an important task.

Nuclear engineers handle and design safe retrieval and storage methods for nuclear waste. Issues include making sure waste does not leak out and public opposition to storing nuclear waste near homes.

References

• University of California, Berkley: Overview of Nuclear Engineering
• University of California, Berkley: Why Nuclear Engineering?