What is Nuclear Engineering?

Nuclear engineering is one of the broadest engineering professions, integrating facets of many of the other engineering disciplines with its own in order to harness the power and diversity of radiation processes. Nuclear engineers are essential to the design and operation of advanced power sources based on nuclear fission, such as nuclear power plants, ocean vessels or even spacecraft.

Eventually, nuclear engineers will be essential in harnessing fusion based power sources for similar purposes. Nuclear engineers, however, are not limited only to the production of fission based power, but are also key to developing numerous advances in nuclear medicine, safe and productive food supplies, radioisotope power sources, and a plethora of industrial applications in modern commerce.

Currently, there are more than 100 nuclear power plants operating in the United States, producing roughly 22% of our nation's electricity. These plants, and the technology they are built upon, are paramount in meeting new environmental standards and reducing the emission of carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas.
Worldwide, nuclear energy is one of the fastest growing energy options. Nuclear power plants produce 17% of all electricity in the world -- more than all of the electricity produced from all sources in 1960!

Nuclear reactors are also used for the propulsion of submarines and aircraft carriers. Reactors or isotopes generated by reactors have powered all deep space missions. An active area of research here at A&M is in the design of advanced nuclear power systems, especially for space power and propulsion.

Radioisotopes are produced in fission reactors and are widely used in industry and research. Many radioisotopes are used in medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The medical use of radioisotopes and X-rays saves hundreds of thousands of lives throughout the world every year.