Isn't nuclear engineering the hardest engineering branch?

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Hi,
I have been told over and over electrical engineering is the hardest engineering major. However everyone says how organic chemistry is one of the hardest undergraduate courses. My uncle has taken both nuclear/ and organic chem and said nuclear chem is much much harder then organic chemistry. So if nuclear chemistry is that hard wouldn't that make nuclear engineering the hardest engineering major? Do people often say electrical engineering is the hardest because they don't consider nuclear due to the low amount of people studying it?</p>

<p>Anyone here taking nuclear engineering? Tips/advice? I'm considering this major more then I have any another. I really want to build nuclear spacecraft.</p>

2

<p>if you are really want to major in nuclear engineering why do you care if it's difficult or how people perceive the major?</p>

3

<p>because I'm not exactly the brightest kid. And I don't know a lot about nuclear engineering. Like which courses in it are the most difficult and how it compares to other engineering branches. I need a general idea how hard it is....</p>

4

<p>Really? I've heard ChemE is the hardest by far.</p>

5

<p>Well, I'd recommend visiting college sites and looking up the classes for nuclear engineering, and see what it looks like. Naturally, apply to engineering colleges, and the ones that accept you should have nuclear engineering programs that you can succeed in, especially since it interests you.</p>

<p>I've heard a lot that ChemE is the hardest major, but I wouldn't say by far. At my school, ChemE is said to be the hardest major, but we don't offer nuclear, so I can't offer a comparison on that.</p>

6

<p>Actually, CS is the hardest major ;) hahaha</p>

7

<p>
[quote]
I have been told over and over electrical engineering is the hardest engineering major. However everyone says how organic chemistry is one of the hardest undergraduate courses. My uncle has taken both nuclear/ and organic chem and said nuclear chem is much much harder then organic chemistry. So if nuclear chemistry is that hard wouldn't that make nuclear engineering the hardest engineering major?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The logical train of thought doesn't work out for the simple reason that many nuclear engineering students never have to take a specific course on nuclear chem.</p>

<p>For example, the Nuclear Engineering program at Berkeley does not require a Nuclear Chemistry class (which would be Chemistry 143).</p>

<p><a href="http://www.nuc.berkeley.edu/undergraduate/options/gennuceng.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.nuc.berkeley.edu/undergraduate/options/gennuceng.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Similarly, the NucEng program at MIT does not require a Nuc Chemistry class.</p>

<p><a href="http://web.mit.edu/nse/education/undergraduate/degrequirements.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://web.mit.edu/nse/education/undergraduate/degrequirements.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

8

<p>Today, a EE professor at my university told me that quantum mechanics is harder than any EE course and since nuclear physics uses quite a bit of quantum mechanics, I would think that nuclear engineering is harder than EE. I'm sure it really depends on who you are and how you think though.</p>

9

<p>In most programs, Nuclear Engineering doesn't have to deal exclusively with quantum physics or mechanics. That is usually the work of Nuclear Physicists or Particle Physicists and yes--that is very hard work. I'm not saying that Nuclear Engineers might have to deal with it but just because chemists study orbitals, doesn't mean ChemE's do as well. </p>

<p>Nuclear Engineering classes usually have deal with shielding, waste management, reactor engineering, reactor theory and others.</p>

<p>Nuclear Engineering varies by the institution--some programs have heavy ChemE /radiochemistry applications while others have Health Physics or Power Systems/EE operations. </p>

<p>Like with all majors, NukE depends on the school but if I had to put it somewhere in difficulty, I'd say near EE/ChemE.</p>

10

<p>One thing to consider is employment opportunities for the degree.</p>

<p>Nuclear engineering has kinda taken a hit since the accidents with limited interest. However, with global warming and talk of energy independence, nuclear power plants are beginning a resurgence and we'll need nuclear engineers to fill those jobs.</p>

11

<p>
[quote]
Nuclear engineering has kinda taken a hit since the accidents with limited interest

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I certainly agree. However, when it comes to employment, what matters is not the total number of jobs, but rather the total number of jobs relative to the number of qualified people trying to get those jobs. The accidents decreased the number of jobs, but also greatly decreased the number of people studying nuclear engineering, and hence those who actually stuck with it did OK (not great, but OK). </p>

<p>Now, as you mentioned, things are picking up with an increase in potential orders of new plants. Hence, those who stuck with it are probably going to do quite well.</p>

12

<p>I think there is a nuclear renissance brewing. Its not going to replace oil/fossil fuels/etc but it is going to account for a much larger percentage in the next decade. Or it certainly seems that way.</p>

<p>back to the OP, nuclear engineering depsrtments are generally smaller so you get a lot more personal attention.</p>

13

<p>Nuclear engineering does provide many job offers. Ever since the TMI-II incident, in the late 70's, 80's, 90's and early 2000, almost no one studied nuclear engineering.
Now, all the nuclear engineers from the 70's would have to retire. So, many nuclear engineers are needed since all 103 reactors are operating. In addition, jobs other than working in power plants are increasing rapidly.
You will have no problem whatsoever getting a job after receiving a nuclear engineering degree (Even if its not related to nuclear engineering).</p>

<p>Btw drumnrun4luv, I strongly believe that with significant amount of funding, nuclear energy CAN replace oil/fossil fuels for electricity. Ofcourse, this is not going to happen any time soon.</p>

<p>Back to the question. I personally think that nuclear engineering is an extremely challenging major because other than extensive math, physics, quantum mechanics, this field is still developing very rapidly.</p>

<p>I would like to say that nuclear engineering is a mix of other engineering fields. Lots of fluid/thermo dynamics, heat transfer, computing classes (MANY), material science, economics, and much more. This makes the major that much more fun :).</p>

<p>However, I would not say that this major is the most difficult major, although it could be for some people. I personally think that any engineering major can become infinitely hard. I would also disagree that ChemE is harder than NucE. They both are FREAKIN hard and require lots of effort, so its really stupid to argue about saying that one is harder than the other.</p>

<p>Back to the OP... You usually start the "real" nuclear engineering courses during your 7th semester. Before that, you will take lots of math, physics courses, some MechE, ComS, Material Science courses. So you have lots of time to change to other engineering departments if you don't feel that nuclear engineering is for you.</p>

<p>However, I would REALLY hope you like nuclear engineering and become a benefit to our world :).</p>

14

<p>


</p>

<p>I agree. The biggest hurdle is changing public perception on the safety of nuclear power. It would be by far the most economical option, and with currently available technology. </p>

<p>We need you nuclear engineers to develop cold fusion and put us ChemE's in the oil business out to pasture...LOL.</p>

15

<p>In fact, all engineers will be in great demand. It's an exciting time for us. A lot of baby boomers will be retiring and the job demand will far exceed supply.</p>

<p>Study what you enjoy.</p>