<p>I am considering eventually going into nuclear engineering with a masters degree and was wondering if the best background for that would be a double major in ChE and ME. I am very interested in both chemistry and physics and especially those involved with nuclear engineering. Am I right in assuming both ME and ChE are similiar to Nuclear Engineering? Also would it be better to major in plain chemistry instead? I've heard ChE is more focused on plant building than actual chemistry. Any advice?</p>
<p>I would get a degree in Nuclear Engineering. Many schools offer them.</p>
<p>Go for nuclear engineering if it’s available at your school. If it’s not, try mechanical engineering, physics, or electrical engineering. Chemical engineers’ main concern is the proper disposal of the nuclear fuel.</p>
<p>Here’s some info:</p>
<p>[Chemical</a> Engineers in Action: Innovation at Work](<a href=“http://www.chemicalengineering.org/energy/nuclear.html]Chemical”>http://www.chemicalengineering.org/energy/nuclear.html)</p>
<p>I just thought that a broader field such as ME or ChE would be finacially safer and be better in case I do plan on switching out of Nuclear Engineering</p>
<p>Oh for goodness, sake. So much brainwashing on these forums. You have obviously read all the other post on this forum concerning the nuclear vs more broad field debate. </p>
<p>If nuclear is the field you are sure you want to enter, then get the nuclear engineering degree. If, like you said, you see yourself going into a completely different area after your experience in NucE, then yes you should probably go the MechE path. </p>
<p>MechE/ChemE double major would be brutal and unnecessary. Not your best option.</p>
<p>ChemE is going to have better benefits than straight up chem. You can get Chem jobs with ChemE but not vice versa, so edge definitely to ChemE.</p>
<p>Nuclear is more similar to MechE hence why it is your best alternative.</p>
<p>ChemE is the most similar engineering major to NucE. I think MechE would be redundant.</p>
<p>In nuclear industry, don’t MechE’s deal with turbines? I checked TAMU course schedules for ChemE and Nuke and they were nowhere near similar.</p>
<p>And? MechE & NucE course schedules are nowhere near similar either.</p>
<p>@Mr Payne: you are incorrect. MechE and NE overlap on certain important areas such as thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, etc. Of course, NE and ChE overlap in several of these areas as well. I would say NE is right between MechE and ChE. However, from what I’ve researched, NE is closer in “spirit” to MechE than ChE.</p>
<p>Check these out:</p>
<p>[Kansas</a> State University Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering](<a href=“http://www.mne.ksu.edu/]Kansas”>http://www.mne.ksu.edu/)
[url=<a href=“http://www.nuce.psu.edu/]MNE[/url”>http://www.nuce.psu.edu/]MNE[/url</a>]</p>
<p>actually Mr. Payne they are similar.</p>
<p>CheE is much more focused on plant design then ME. NucE <em>is</em> plant design.</p>
<p>Designing a nuclear power plant will cross over mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil and nuclear engineering.</p>
<p>The mechanical engineer might be knowledgable of weld processes or inspection for the piping as well as the mechanical equipment that is used to move the nuclear material and operate the plant systems. Designing these systems requires an aptitude in mechanical engineering.</p>
<p>Chemical may cover overall design of the plant (according to Mr Payne) or related “stuff”</p>
<p>Electrical will cover control systems in the nuclear power plant that ensures that it can operate reliabily.</p>
<p>Civil will cover the ground and soil conditions as well as structural integrity.</p>
<p>I don’t know about a nuclear engineering program specifically, but there are many different engineering majors that have role in nuclear power plant design and operation.</p>