What degree is needed to be a Nuclear Engineer?
Nuclear engineers must have the proper education and training to succeed in this platform. If you want to become a nuclear engineer you will have to involve in electrical and chemical engineering. You will need to have a good understanding of physics, chemistry, etc. So, what degree is needed to be a Nuclear Engineer?
Quick Takeaways
1. Safety engineers
- You will need to complete the bachelor’s degree, then a master’s degree, and try getting state licensure to become a nuclear engineer.
- You will need to get practical experience in the field and finally become a professional engineer.
- There are 5 types of nuclear engineers-
2. Petroleum engineers
3. Civil engineers
4. Chemical engineers
5. Aerospace Engineers
However, you must read till the end so that you do not miss any important facts related to Nuclear engineering.
What is Nuclear engineering?
Nuclear engineering is a branch of engineering that includes electrical engineering and chemical engineering topics and theories. It deals with combing and breaking down nuclei, harnessing the resulting energy for a variety of purposes. They must have deep knowledge and understanding of nuclear physics, chemistry, and radioactive materials and their uses.
Nuclear engineers must have the proper education and training to succeed in this platform. They need to have a solid base of mathematics, science, observational skills, problem-solving, and collaboration. Also must be aware of how the substances they work with affect humans and the environment. Proper degree, experience, and licensing are essential. The detailed 6 steps to becoming a nuclear engineer are below.
How to become a nuclear engineer in 6 steps? – What degree is needed to be a Nuclear Engineer?
Entry-level positions in nuclear engineering require at least a BS in nuclear engineering.
Step 1: Study chemistry, physics, and math in high school.
To prepare for a bachelor’s in the nuclear engineering program, high school students should take calculus during their junior or senior year mainly geometry and algebra. Chemistry and physics are the most important fields in nuclear engineering.
Step 2: Earn a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering.
To qualify for entry-level positions, students must earn a bachelor of science in nuclear engineering. Most bachelor’s programs require at least 120 credits. About half of those credits are usually general education courses. The remaining credits are dedicated to major requirements.
Step 3: Consider a master’s degree in nuclear engineering.
Increasingly, employers, particularly government agencies and affiliated organizations, require candidates to hold a master’s degree to access entry-level nuclear engineer jobs.
Step 4: Get state licensure.
Although nuclear engineers do not necessarily need professional credentials to find work, most states require professionals who offer services to the public to be licensed as professional engineers (PE) and hold appropriate security clearances. The process to obtain state licensure varies, so confirm requirements with your local licensing board.
Step 5: Gain practical experience in the field.
Nuclear engineers must accrue at least four years of relevant work experience under the guidance of a licensed engineer to qualify to take the PE examination. Entry-level nuclear engineering jobs often begin with a training period that can last from three weeks to six months.
Step 6: Become a professional engineer in nuclear engineering.
Nuclear engineers must obtain a PE license. They can sit for the relevant Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. Professional engineers must renew their licenses every two years. To renew, candidates must complete 30 hours of continuing education during each two-year cycle.
What do Nuclear engineers do?
- Nuclear engineering involves harnessing the energy created from subatomic reactions.
- Nuclear engineers maintain power plants, design weapon systems, and develop medicine.
- It is about developing nuclear equipment such as radiation shielding, reactor cores, and the instrumentation needed to operate the nuclear equipment.
- Many nuclear engineers work in the energy industry, overseeing the construction, maintenance, and safety procedures of power plants, as well as coordinating the proper disposal of nuclear waste.
- These professionals can also find employment with the federal government — especially the armed forces — designing weapons and transportation systems powered by nuclear technology. Nuclear engineers work with powerful elements that provide power to much of the world also if not properly controlled it’s dangerous to humanity.
Types of nuclear engineers:
Nuclear Engineering provides numerous career opportunities. We have mentioned the major alternative options for nuclear engineering careers below.
1. Safety engineers:
Safety engineers inspect facilities, machinery, and safety equipment to identify and correct potential hazards. Safety engineers must have a bachelor’s degree, typically in environmental health and safety, or in an engineering discipline. Safety is an important aspect of each profession. A safety engineer career is one of the important aspects of Nuclear Engineering.
2. Petroleum engineers:
Petroleum engineers help find oil and gas for the country’s energy needs. Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface. Petroleum engineers also find new ways to extract oil and gas from older wells. Petroleum Engineering is one of the major sub-disciplines of a Nuclear Engineering career.
3. Civil engineers:
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering and uses the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health.
4. Chemical engineers:
Chemical engineers develop and design chemical manufacturing processes. They apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems that involve the production of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. Candidates can opt for a career as a chemical engineer as it is a major alternative option for a Nuclear Engineering career.
5. Aerospace Engineers:
Aerospace engineers evaluate designs to see that the products meet engineering principles. The design primarily aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. They also create and test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design.
What skills are required to become a nuclear engineer?
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving ability
- mathematical skills
- Managerial skills
- Delegation skills
- conceptual skills
- decision-making skills
Scope of Nuclear engineering in India and abroad:
Nuclear Engineering is all about the production and application of nuclear energy and the uses of radiation and radioactive materials. The Nuclear Engineering job outlook is quite good. Most Nuclear Engineers design, construct and operate nuclear power plants, which generate electric power. There is a huge scope of Nuclear Engineering in India as well as in foreign countries.
Jobs for Nuclear Engineers are only available in India is not true, but across the world jobs for Nuclear Engineers exist. We can say that the future of Nuclear Engineering is quite bright. Students taking Nuclear Engineering courses can also work in various other fields related to the Nuclear career. Students can also choose to become Physicists. Physicists conduct research into areas such as the exploration of space, celestial object development, medical technology, scientific laws, and theories of energy creation.
What are Nuclear Engineers’ salaries?
Nuclear system engineer (per month)
- Average salary Rs 40,000
- Junior-level salary Rs 30,000
- Senior-level salary Rs 1,50,000
Radiation engineer(per month)
- Average salary Rs 40,000
- Junior-level salary Rs 30,000
- Senior-level salary Rs 1,20,000
Atomic process engineer
- Average salary Rs 83,000
- Junior-level salary Rs 60,000
- Senior-level salary Rs 1,08,280
What are the top colleges for Nuclear Engineering in India?
Aspiring candidates who want to establish a career as a Nuclear Engineer are required to complete a B.Tech. or B.E. in Nuclear Science and Technology or Nuclear Engineering. We have mentioned below top Nuclear Engineer colleges that offer academic programs to support candidates to opt for Nuclear Engineering as a career. Top Nuclear Engineering Colleges
- IIT Bombay
- IIT Madras
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata
- IIT Kanpur
- OPJS University
