What is Nuclear Engineering?

Nuclear engineering applies nuclear processes, such as splitting the atom's nucleus (called fission), and nuclear radiation, such as alpha, beta, gamma, neutrons and positrons. These applications range from nuclear power, which provides 20 percent of the country's electricity, to nuclear medicine, which provides diagnostic and therapeutic treatment to one of every three hospital patients. Overall, nuclear engineering and radiological health engineering activities contribute more than $400 billion to the U.S. economy each year.

What do Nuclear Engineers do?

  • Construct and operate nuclear power plants
  • Design, construct and operate advanced nuclear power plants
  • Investigate and optimize advanced nuclear fuel cycles
  • Design, construct and operate fusion reactors
  • Analyze and prepare for long-term energy security for the U.S. and the world
  • Design, construct and operate advanced power systems for the U.S. naval fleet
  • Design and construct power systems for space exploration and propulsion

Where do Nuclear Engineers work?

  • Electrical power companies
  • Reactor manufacturers
  • Architect-engineering firms
  • Consulting firms
  • National laboratories
  • Federal government
  • Hospital and medical research centers
  • Industry
  • Government agencies

Why study Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M?

Texas A&M's undergraduate program in nuclear engineering enjoys a solid reputation as one of the oldest, largest, and best equipped in the United States. In the Department of Nuclear Engineering, undergraduates use the laboratories and facilities other programs reserve for graduate students.

Our fully ABET accredited degree program in nuclear engineering stresses broad fundamental education in mathematics, science and engineering. Mechanics, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics are also part of the nuclear engineering curriculum.

The curriculum provides a balanced education in virtually all aspects of nuclear engineering principles and practice, from atomic and nuclear theory to reactor design.

Many of the students who complete undergraduate degrees in nuclear engineering go on to pursue advanced degrees in the department's graduate programs, including specialties in health physics and nuclear engineering.