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Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering

The Master of Science (MS) curriculum in Nuclear Engineering is designed to develop new understanding through research and creativity. This degree is designed to be taken as a thesis option offering five specializations in power engineering, nonproliferation, nuclear materials, computational methods, and health physics.

Four core courses define a core body of knowledge and are foundational for all students enrolled in the program – radiation interactions and shielding, radiation detection and measurements, reactor theory and reactor experimentation.

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Overview

nuclear engineering researchers working in a lab

The Department of Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University is considered to be one of the best programs nationwide among peer institutions and is involved in research across multiple areas of study.

Visit our website to view a full list of research areas

Sample Degree Plans

DISCLAIMER: These are sample degree plans and may be modified with department approval.

Course Name	Credits
NUEN 601 - Nuclear Reactor Theory	3 hrs
NUEN 604 - Radiation Interaction and Shielding	3 hrs
NUEN 605 - Radiation Detection and Materials Measurement ¹	3 hrs
NUEN 606 - Reactor Analysis and Experimentation ²	4 hrs
NUEN 610 - Nuclear System Design (Capstone Course)	4 hrs
NUEN 623 - Nuclear Engineering Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow ³	3 hrs
NUEN 624 - Nuclear Thermal Hydraulics and Stress Analysis	3 hrs
NUEN 681 - Seminar	2 hrs
NUEN 691- Research Electives and Research	5 hrs
Total Credit Hours	30 hrs

Notes:

Or equivalent NUEN 689 course.
Instrumentation prerequisite for NUEN 606 can be met by a 2 hour NUEN 685 or other appropriate course(s).
With advisor approval, students with sufficient background in heat transfer and fluid flow may substitute an elective.
MATH course chosen by student's committee.

DISCLAIMER: These are sample degree plans and may be modified with department approval.

Course Name	Credits
NUEN 604 - Radiation Interactions and Shielding	3 hrs
NUEN 605 - Radiation Detection and Materials Measurement	3 hrs
NUEN 650 - Nonproliferation and Arms Control	3 hrs
NUEN 601 - Nuclear Reactor Theory	3 hrs
NUEN 606 - Nuclear Reactor Analysis and Experimentation	4 hrs
NUEN 651 - Nuclear Fuel Cycles and Materials Safeguards	3 hrs
NUEN 610 - Design of Nuclear Reactors (Capstone Course)	4 hrs
NUEN 681 - Seminar	2 hrs
NUEN 691- Technical Electives and Research	5 hrs
Total Credit Hours	30 hrs

Notes:

Students select electives from a set of relevant elective courses, some being provided by faculty in other Texas A&M departments:
- NUEN 630 - Monte Carlo Methods for Particle Transport
- NUEN 657 - Emergency Response Dose Assessment
- NUEN 451 - Nuclear Security Systems Design
- CHEM 681 - Radiochemistry & Nuclear Forensics (Chemistry Department)
- MATH 664 - Inverse Problems in Nuclear Forensics (Math Department)
- INTA 617 - Deterrence and Coercion (Bush School)
- INTA 620 - International Security (Bush School)
- INTA 652 - The Role of Intelligence in Security Affairs (Bush School)
- INTA 669 - Nuclear Terrorism Threat Assessment and Analysis (Bush School)
These electives are designed to enrich students' educations by focusing their attention on issues that are key to the field; these electives also bring some diversity to the students' degree program.

In addition, the master of science degree requires completion of a master's thesis.

DISCLAIMER: These are sample degree plans and may be modified with department approval.

Course Name	Credits
NUEN 601 - Nuclear Reactor Theory	3 hrs
NUEN 604 - Radiation Interaction and Shielding	3 hrs
NUEN 605 - Rad. Detection and Nucl. Mat. Measurement	3 hrs
NUEN 606 - Reactor Analysis and Experimentation	4 hrs
NUEN 661 - Nuclear Fuel Performance	3 hrs
NUEN 662 - Nuclear Materials Under Extreme Conditions	3 hrs
NUEN 681 - Seminar	2 hrs
NUEN 691 - Research	5 hrs
MSEN 601 - Fund. Materials Science and Engineering	4 hrs
Total Credit Hours	30 hrs

Notes:

MATH course chosen by student's committee.

DISCLAIMER: These are sample degree plans and may be modified with department approval.

Course Name	Credits
NUEN 601 - Nuclear Reactor Theory	3 hrs
NUEN 604 - Radiation Interaction and Shielding	3 hrs
NUEN 605 - Radiation Detection and Materials Measurement ¹	3 hrs
NUEN 606 - Reactor Analysis and Experimentation ²	2 hrs
MATH 609 - Numerical Analysis	5 hrs
NUEN 681 - Seminar (required)	2 hrs
NUEN 691 - Research	2 hrs
Two Computational elective courses to be determined with your major professor	6 hrs
Total Credit Hours	32 hrs

DISCLAIMER: These are sample degree plans and may be modified with department approval.

Course Name	Credits
NUEN 601 - Nuclear Reactor Theory	3 hrs
NUEN 604 - Radiation Interaction and Shielding	3 hrs
NUEN 605 - Radiation Detection and Materials Measurement ¹	3 hrs
NUEN 606 - Reactor Analysis and Experimentation ²	4 hrs
NUEN 612 - Radiological Safety and Hazards Evaluation	3 hrs
NUEN 681 - Seminar	2 hrs
Electives*	9 hrs
NUEN 691 - Research Electives and Research	3 hrs
Total Credit Hours	30 hrs

Notes:

Electives should be selected with the advice and consent of the student’s degree committee and should be math, science or engineering graduate courses that are appropriate for the student’s research and career goals.
Thirty hours is the typical number of hours for a nuclear engineering degree.

Graduate Requirements

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Application Portal

Nuclear Engineering Graduate Admissions

Master of Engineering in Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear Security Certificate

Tuition Calculator

To calculate cost, select Graduate, select the semester you’ll start, select Residency, choose “Engineering” from the drop-down menu, select Program and slide “Hours” to how many you’ll take each semester. Your total cost is Tuition and Required Fees.

Graduate Program

We are delighted you are considering pursuing graduate studies in Nuclear Engineering. Applying to graduate school is an important step toward your future – and we’re here to help.

Prospective Students

Our faculty and staff are committed to helping students navigate the graduate school admissions process. We look forward to helping you confirm why Nuclear Engineering is the right fit for you to complete your graduate degree.

Graduate Funding Opportunities

We have many funding opportunities for our graduate students so that the vast majority can receive some form of financial assistance.

Degree Highlights

$13.1M research expenditures By U.S. News and World Report | Fiscal Year 2023

30 total credit hour minimum

Heather Haliburton Janke

Assistant Director of Graduate Programs

Office: AIEN M202B
Phone: 979-458-2072
Email: hjanke@tamu.edu