The M.S. in Nuclear Engineering Sciences prepares students for advanced technical careers in academia, national laboratories, and industry. The program is housed within the Department of Materials Science & Engineering, which offers students the opportunity to conduct research under the supervision of faculty. Students may pursue either a Thesis or Non-Thesis option.
Expand the sections below to review M.S. program requirements and advising information.
Students must complete:
- 30 total credit hours
- Core nuclear engineering courses
- A project (Non-Thesis) or thesis (Thesis)
- Formation of a supervisory committee
- Approval of final work by their advisor or committee
Up to 9 transfer credits from another graduate program may be applied with approval from the Graduate School or Program Coordinator. The maximum time limit to complete the degree is 7 years.
- Total Credits: 30 semester credit hours
- Graded Coursework: Minimum 24 graded (A–E) lecture or lab credits
- Prefix: engineering, science, math, or statistics
- At least 18 graded credits numbered 5000+
- Up to 6 credits may be non-ENU courses numbered 3000+
- ENU 4999 or below not permitted
- ENU 6905, 6910, 6936, and 6971 do not count toward the 24 graded credits
- ENU Requirement: At least 12 graded ENU 5000+ credits
- Required Core Courses:
- ENU 6051 – Radiation Interaction Basics and Applications I (3 credits)
- ENU 5615C – Nuclear Radiation Detection and Instrumentation (4 credits)
Option A: Non-Thesis
Supervisory Committee:
- Advisor only, with graduate faculty status in nuclear engineering
- Must be appointed by the end of the second semester or after 12 credits
M.S. Project:
- Written report supervised by the advisor
- Expected effort: ~300 hours
- Recommended length: ≥15 pages
- If no mentor is identified, the Graduate Program Coordinator approves and evaluates the project
Research Credits:
- Up to 6 credits may include ENU 6905 (Individual Work), ENU 6910 (Supervised Research), or ENU 6936 (Special Projects)
- ENU 6971, 7979, and 7980 not permitted
Option B: Thesis
Supervisory Committee:
- Chair with nuclear graduate faculty status
- At least one additional nuclear graduate faculty member
- One external graduate faculty member (not in nuclear)
- Committee must be appointed via the Appointment of Supervisory Committee Form
Research Credits:
- Up to 6 credits may include ENU 6905, ENU 6910, or ENU 6971
- ENU 6936, 7979, and 7980 not permitted
Thesis and Final Examination:
- Written thesis following Graduate School formatting
- Oral defense administered by the supervisory committee
- Advisor must approve the exam attempt
- All committee members must attend the defense
| SCH (Semester Credits Hours) Requirements | Master (Thesis) | Master (Non-thesis) | Doctor of Philosophy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total SCH | 30 | 30 | 90 |
| NE Core Requirements | 7 | 7 | 16-17 |
| Graded 5000+ Credits | ≥18 | ≥18 | N/A |
| ENU Graded 5000+ Credits | ≥12 | ≥12 | ≥15 |
| Professional Development | N/A | N/A | 6 |
| Research/Special Project | ≤6 | ≤6 | Variable |
| Supervisory committee members (minimum number) | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Qualifying Exam | None | None | Yes |
| Final Exam | Oral Defense and Written Thesis | Written | Oral Defense and Written Thesis |
| Time limit for completing degree | 7 Years | 7 Years | 5 Years |
For questions about degree requirements, coursework, or milestones, contact:
NE Graduate Coordinator
Yong Yang, , Associate Professor
Email: Email NE Graduate Coordinator
Advisisng Office
Allyson Beatty, Academic Advisor II
Tahara Franklin, Academic Advisor III
Nabby Rivera, Academic Assistant II
Email: Email Advising Team