Nuclear Science and Engineering Academic Degree Programs

Graduate degrees available in Nuclear Engineering through the Nuclear Science and Engineering program include:

Master of Science, Thesis option
Master of Science, Non-thesis option
Doctor of Philosophy

In addition, students majoring in allied fields may complete a minor degree program, consisting of 12 credit hours of coursework, through the Nuclear Science and Engineering Program. Minor programs are designed to allow students in allied fields to acquire and then indicate, in a formal way, specialization in a nuclear-related area of expertise.

Nuclear Engineering Degree Options and Requirements

For both the Masters and Doctoral degrees, graduates in Nuclear Engineering are exposed to a broad systems overview of the complete nuclear fuel cycle as well as having detailed expertise in a particular component of the cycle. Breadth is assured by requiring all students to complete a rigorous set of core courses. The core consists of a 13 credit-hour course sequence. The remainder of the course and resarch work is obtained from the multiple participating departments, as approved for each student by the student's advisor and thesis committee. Requirements for each degree type are as shown below.

Master of Science, Non-thesis option: 36 total credit hours consisting of 13 hours of required core coursework, 12 credit hours of elective core coursework, 2 credit hours of seminar, and 9 credit hours of elective courses.
Master of Science, Thesis option: 36 total credit hours consisting of 13 hours of core coursework, 6 credit hours of elective core courses, 2 credit hours of seminar, and 12 credit hours of research.
Doctor of Philosophy: 72 total credit hours consisting of 13 hours of required core coursework, 9 credit hours of elective core coursework, 4 credit hours of seminar, 24 credit hours of research, and 12 credit hours of elective courses.

Required Curriculum:

As described in the Degree Options and Requirements, above, the required core classes are:

Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics (NUGN510)
Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Thermal-Hydraulics (NUGN520)
Nuclear Reactor Laboratory (NUGN580 - taught in collaboration with the USGS)
Nuclear Reactor Design (NUGN585 and NUGN586)

Additionally, students pursuing a Nuclear Engineering graduate degree must take a certain number of courses from the elective core, as described in the Degree Options and Requirements, above. The core electives consist of the following:

Radiation Detection and Measurement (PHGN504)
Nuclear Materials Science and Engineering (MTGN593)
Environmental Stewardship of Nuclear Resources (ESGN511)
Nuclear Power and Public Policy (LAIS589)

Combined Degree Program Option

CSM undergraduate students have the opportunity to begin work on a Masters degree in Nuclear Engineering while completing their Bachelor's degree. The CSM Combined Degree program provides a vehicle for students to use up to 6 credit hours of undergraduate coursework as part of their graduate curriculum.

Minor Degree Options

Minor degree programs have been established in a variety of nuclear-related areas. Students in Nuclear Engineering, as well as students in allied degree programs, may elect to complete a minor degree in addition to their regular degree requirements. Available minor degrees, and the coursework associated with these, include:

Minor in Nuclear Engineering

Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics
Nuclear Reactor Laboratory
Reactor Design
Nuclear Power and Public Policy or Environmental Stewardship of Nuclear Resources

Minor in Nuclear Materials Processing

Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics
Nuclear Materials Science and Engineering
Chemical Processing of Nuclear Materials
Environmental Stewardship of Nuclear Resources

Minor in Nuclear Detection

Nuclear Physics
Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics
Radiation Detection and Measurement
Nuclear Reactor Laboratory

Minor in Nuclear Geoscience and Geoengineering

Nuclear Physics, plus three of the following five courses
Nuclear and Isotopic Geochemistry
In-situ Mining
Uranium Mining
Uranium Geology and Geochemistry
Design of Geologic Radioactive Waste Repositories