Nuclear Engineering is that part of the engineering concerned with breaking down atomic nuclei (fission) or combining atomic nuclei (fusion). In nuclear fission, nuclear engineering particularly includes the design, interaction, and maintenance of systems and components like nuclear reactors, power plants, or weapons. Nuclear Engineering includes chemical engineering and electrical engineering as well.

Nuclear Engineers generally work in the nuclear power industry or for national laboratories. Current research in the industry is geared towards producing economical and proliferation-resistant reactor designs with passive safety measures. Some Government labs provide research in the same areas as private industry and other areas such as nuclear fuels and nuclear fuel cycles, advanced reactor designs, and nuclear weapon design and maintenance. Employment in Nuclear Engineering is expected to grow about nine percent to the year 2022 as needed to replace retiring nuclear engineers and provide maintenance.

Academic programs offered by the colleges and universities in nuclear engineering focus on all areas of nuclear energy, i.e., research, development, and application. Coursework in nuclear engineering includes fissile material and fission systems, interactions and maintenance of nuclear fission systems, nuclear reactors, nuclear power plants, nuclear war weapons, nuclear fusion, medical applications, etc. The B.Tech in Nuclear Science and Engineering is one of the many courses provided in nuclear engineering.

Nuclear engineering is a branch of engineering that involves studying sub-atomic physics or the science involving the breakdown of atomic nuclei comprising a sub-discipline of nuclear physics. Nuclear Engineering & Technology makes a prominent career option at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels among all engineering disciplines. Nuclear engineers find work opportunities as engineers and researchers in research and development organizations, Nuclear power plants, and Nuclear reactors. In academics, nuclear engineering professionals find employment as lecturers or professors and actively contribute to nuclear research. Opportunities are unlimited for nuclear engineering enthusiasts. 

Nuclear Engineering Universities

Given below is the list of Top-ranked Universities in the field of Nuclear Engineering: 

• MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private University situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Incorporated in 1861, it admitted its first student after four years, i.e., in 1865. MIT marked the foundation of a unique kind of independent educational teaching institution. It did so by coupling the teaching and research with the focus on solving real-world problems. It has 30 departments across five schools with more than 1,067 Faculty members. It is one of the top-ranked universities for Nuclear Engineering.

• UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY

Founded in 1868, the University of California, Berkeley is a public university. It is considered one of the top-tier universities in the US. The campus size is spread to a remarkable 1,232 acres. The university follows a semester-based calendar. A large crowd of students seeks admission here each year. It is considered a great option for pursuing Nuclear Engineering.

• NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY 

North Carolina State University is a public research university situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was established in 1887 and is a part of the University of North Carolina system. It is considered as the largest university in the Carolinas. With an academic staff of about 2,336, it has 36,304 currently enrolled in it. It is ranked high in the field of Nuclear Engineering.

• UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

The University of Pennsylvania is a private research university situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and established in 1740, one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the US declaration of independence. With the academic staff comprising about 5000 persons, it has a significant population of around 22,432. It was founded by Benjamin Franklin, who advocated an educational program that trained leaders in commerce, government, and public services. It is considered a great option for pursuing Nuclear Engineering.

• UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

The University of Florida is a public research university located in Gainesville, Florida. Founded in 1853, it is a senior member of the State University System of Florida. With an academic staff of about 8,231, it has 56,567 currently enrolled in it. It holds a huge campus of 2,000 acres. It is considered as a great option for pursuing Nuclear Engineering.

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