Nuclear Engineering Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS)

Overview Nuclear engineering focuses on enabling the peaceful use of the atom to provide electricity, process heat and make products that utilize radiation and radioactive materials. Within the School of Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE) there are numerous opportunities for students to gain practical knowledge and experience in many areas of the field. Research, development and testing are the hallmarks of our Ph.D., M.S. and M.Eng. Programs and undergraduate students often become involved in the research activities conducted by our faculty and graduate students. At Oregon State you can experience nuclear engineering like nowhere else in the world, as our large-scale test facilities, renowned faculty, and excellent student-to-faculty ratio make the NSE a unique and rewarding experience. The program is accredited by ABET The objectives of the nuclear engineering and radiation health physics undergraduate curricula are to prepare students for careers related to the many beneficial uses of nuclear technology and energy. Nuclear engineers apply scientific principles to the research, design, and operation of a wide variety of nuclear technology applications including power generation, medicine, and radioactive waste management. Radiation health physicists study methods used to protect people and their environment from radiation hazards while enabling the beneficial uses of radiation and radioactive materials. In addition, an emphasis is provided in nuclear instrumentation, nuclear systems and materials, radiation protection, reactor analysis and nuclear power economics and, particularly, safety and regulation in nuclear operations. Program highlights We are the birthplace of NuScale Power, LLC: the modular reactor design company based in Corvallis. Many of our students intern with NuScale and find employment with them after graduation. Our Gen IV nuclear power technology has received national attention with the installation of the High Temperature Test Facility. We are one of a handful of universities with an on-site research reactor and offer opportunities for highly qualified graduate and undergraduate students to become certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission as reactor operators and to gain reactor research experience.