<p>Okay so this field has been talked about a lot lately. One of the most discussed part about NE is the right-out-of-college job opportunities, as there has been a very rapidly growing demand for Nuclear Engineers lately. In a few years, the demand will no doubt continue to grow. The salaries are fantastic as well, and most of the jobs would be in federal or state governments, so it is quite secure also.</p>
<p>I'd like to know what you think of it. Is it going to be difficult to try and go for it?
If I do go into this, I'll be doing it at either:
University of Wisconsin - Madison or University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.</p>
<p>Math and Physics have been my strongest subjects throughout high school (not Chemistry, though....I can manage fine and get good grades in it but I don't enjoy it as much as Math/Physics). Additionally, only 36 universities in USA offer the undergrad degree. More fascinating is the fact that the degree is not offered in any more than five universities in any other country, so job opportunities are great for working abroad as well.</p>
<p>So what is your opinion on it? Worth doing?
Will it be overly difficult as compared to other engg majors such as Comp/Elec/Chem?</p>
<p>Sorry for leeching on this thread, but I have a couple questions about nuclear engineering too; what other types of engineers find themselves doing nuclear-related work, and is nuclear engineering closely related to a more prevalent field of engineering?</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, I have a family member who’s an engineer at a nuclear plant. I’m not sure what his degree is in though. He really likes the job, but you should be aware that if there’s an outage the hours go completely crazy.</p>
<p>I am thinking about going back to school for a nuclear engineering degree. I think it could be financially rewarding.</p>
<p>from my university the graduates from the masters program in nuclear medicine/medical physics (from the dept. of nuclear engineering and science) are employed 100%, lots with jobs starting out at 115,000+</p>
<p>unfortunately there aren’t many schools that offer nuclear engineering, even less that have research reactors on-campus… (both ann Arbor and madison do)</p>
<p>(then again this is likely due that sole fact that its related to the medical field, everything related is gold)</p>
<p>Prospects for nuclear engineers certainly have changed. I can remember attending a commencement 30 years ago at a top university. People in attendance literally booed the nuclear engineering grads when they walked into the stadium. It was extremely rude, but that was a prevailing attitude at that time, just a couple of months after the Three Mile Island accident.</p>
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[QUOTE=rsala004]
from my university the graduates from the masters program in nuclear medicine/medical physics (from the dept. of nuclear engineering and science) are employed 100%, lots with jobs starting out at 115,000+</p>
<p>unfortunately there aren’t many schools that offer nuclear engineering, even less that have research reactors on-campus… (both ann Arbor and madison do)</p>
<p>(then again this is likely due that sole fact that its related to the medical field, everything related is gold)
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<p>And thats exactly why I’m feeling so pressurized to make this decision. Only about eight other countries offer Nuclear Engg degrees (in 1-2 schools, not 36 like USA). I have the choice to do it in either UW-Madison or UM-Ann Arbor…two of the top worldwide (with reactors of course).
Also, what if I decide not to go into the health side of Nuclear Engg and instead go towards stuff like reactor design, power efficiency and things like that? That also makes great money, even though it isn’t directly linked to medicine.</p>
<p>bump, personally I hate chemistry and it’s probably my worst subject with any significance towards engineering, should I still do nuclear engineering? I LOVE Physics and am good at it and I’m good at math and it’s a love hate relationship.</p>
<p>^ yeah i’m in the same situation here.
I’m not a fan of Chemistry, but really good at and love Math + Physics.
Its a question of how difficult the major is as compared to other Engg majors…</p>
<p>calcozzo: i think materials science and engineering is related to nuclear. and, although my school (UT-Austin) doesn’t offer nuclear, it does offer a “nuclear certificate” for undergrads majoring in engineering or specializing in a radiation area as physics majors. also, my school offers a graduate level program in nuclear and radiation engineering in the mechanical engineering department. </p>
<p>btw, i don’t like chemistry either and love math/physics. haha it’s interesting how so many people are in this same position.</p>
<p>I imagine an engineering physics degree would prepare one to work in nuclear engineering fairly well.</p>