Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering

The Master of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering (M.S.N.E.) has both thesis and non-thesis options. In addition, students have the option of adding a concentration in Nuclear Enterprise Management (NEM). Depending upon the track chosen, the M.S.N.E. requires completion of 30 or 36 credit hours. No more than six semester hours at the 4000 level can be counted toward the degree requirement.

The MS NE degree (non-NEM) has the following minimum course credit-hour requirements.

The required courses for this degree are:

• NRE 6101 Transport Fundamentals
• NRE 6756 Radiation Physics

MS NE students are also required to take one of the following:

• NRE 6102 Plasma Physics
• NRE 6201 Reactor Physics
• NRE 6301 Reactor Engineering
• NRE 6757 Radiation Detection

Students in the non-thesis option are required to take:

• NRE 6401 Advanced Nuclear Engineering Design (required for the non-thesis option)

A summary table is shown below:

NRE6102 (Plasma Physics), NRE6201 (Reactor Physics), and NRE6756 (Radiation Physics) each assume some pre-requisite knowledge; If you are starting nuclear engineering with a background in another engineering or physics related discipline, the following are recommended:

• Students who have not had an undergraduate course covering the material in NRE4610 (Introduction to Fusion) are advised to take that course prior to taking NRE6102
• Students who have not had an undergraduate course covering the material in NRE4204 (Nuclear Reactor Physics) are advised to take that course as a make-up prior to taking NRE6201;
• Students who have not had an undergraduate course covering the material in NRE 3301 (Radiation Physics) are advised to take that course as a make-up prior to taking NRE6756.
• Knowledge of mathematics at or above the level found in advanced engineering mathematics courses is required.  This includes but is not limited to familiarity with: 1) solutions of PDE boundary value problems by separation of variables and eigenfunction expansion, 2) Fourier and LaPlace transforms, and 3) orthogonal polynomial expansions.  Knowledge of vectors, tensors and complex analysis is desirable.  MATH 4581 or the equivalent is recommended.

The MS NE degree with Nuclear Enterprise Management (NEM) Option has the following degree requirements.

¹ NEM Concentration must take NRE6103 or NRE/ME6758 as math requirement

² Math Substitute – NRE6103 or NRE/ME 6758
 

The NEM Option has the following core and elective courses.

Courses from the School of Mathematics as well as ISyE 6401, ISyE 6739, and NRE 6103 fulfill the mathematics requirement for the standard track; the NEM requirement allows only NRE6103 or NRE/ME6758 to fulfill the math requirement.

Any course in which you don't receive a C or higher, or any course taken for a non-letter grade (except the thesis, transfer credit, or advanced standing) do not meet these course requirements. All courses must be at the 4000 level and above. No more than six semester hours at the 4000 level can be counted toward the degree requirements.

The items listed below cannot be used to meet the course requirements for the M.S.N.E. degree:

• Any course in which you do not receive a grade of C or higher;
• Any course taken for a non-letter grade (except thesis, transfer credit, or advanced standing); and
• Any course required for the B.S.N.E. degree;
• CETL course work

Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering

The doctoral degree in NE requires 42 semester hours of course work (on a letter-grade basis) beyond the bachelor's degree or its equivalent. The doctoral degree in NE also allows for a specialization in Nuclear Enterprise Management.  Required course work for the Medical Physics option of the NE degree is 52 hours beyond the bachelor's degree or its equivalent. A total of 36 semester hours must be at the 6000 level or above. Up to six semester hours may be at the 4000 level. Any courses required for the B.S.N.R.E do not meet these respective course requirements. Course grades must be C or higher to satisfy PhD degree requirements. Also, CETL classes do not meet these respective course requirements.

Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear Engineering with Nuclear Enterprise Management specialization

¹ Required course per the NEM Concentration
 

Completion of Teaching Practicum in Absentia for Woodruff School Students

ME/NRE 7757 Teaching Practicum is required for Ph.D. students within the Woodruff School. This course includes lectures and the students must complete education related activities that may include course development and the delivery of lectures. A number of Ph.D. students within the Woodruff School complete their graduate studies at locations outside of Atlanta. Many students conduct research in collaboration with national laboratories and utilize national laboratory facilities for their research. Programs such as the ORNL GO! Program support on-site graduate students through the completion of their degree. Many medical physics graduate students take advantage of courses offered over distance learning while working in hospitals and clinics across the country. It is desired to create a path for such students to complete the teaching practicum if they are not on-campus the semester that they take the course.

1. ME/NRE 7757 Teach Practicum lectures will be recorded for viewing by students in absentia.
2. Students wishing to conduct their teaching practicum in absentia must develop a plan to complete the teaching practicum with their research advisor. Teaching activities conducted in absentia must be on par with course development and conducting lectures on-campus at Georgia Institute of Technology.
   1. The teaching practicum plan must be approved by the NRE/MP Chair or the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.
   2. The teaching practicum plan must include:
      1. Description of course developments and lectures that will be conducted including topic, venue, and outline.
      2. Schedule for completion.
      3. If teaching activities are not conducted at Georgia Institute of Technology, a feedback mechanism is required providing an evaluation of the student’s work. Feedback would need to come from an engineering or scientific faculty member at a university or an engineering or scientific professional with a Ph.D. in a related discipline to the topic discussed. If no peer feedback is available, then a video of the lecture or other evidence of the work may be sent to the student’s advisor at Georgia Institute of Technology.
      4. Lectures or the development of course modules may be conducted for Georgia Institute of Technology courses in absentia via recording or other technical means. If this option is pursued, it must be coordinated with an on-campus faculty member.
3. Suitable lecture venues may include:
   1. Lectures at a university in an undergraduate or graduate level engineering or scientific course.
   2. Professional level seminars on an engineering or scientific topic.
   3. Teaching lectures as part of a professional level course to engineering and scientific professionals.