Nuclear Engineering

University of California, Berkeley

This is an archived copy of the 2015-16 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu.

About the Program

The Department of Nuclear Engineering offers three graduate degree programs: the Master of Engineering (MEng), the Master of Science (MS), and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Visit Department Website

Admissions

Admission to the University

Minimum Requirements for Admission

The following minimum requirements apply to all graduate programs and will be verified by the Graduate Division:

  1. A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;
  2. A grade point average of B or better (3.0);
  3. If the applicant comes from a country or political entity (e.g., Quebec) where English is not the official language, adequate proficiency in English to do graduate work, as evidenced by a TOEFL score of at least 90 on the iBT test, 570 on the paper-and-pencil test, 230 on the computer-based test, or an IELTS Band score of at least 7 (note that individual programs may set higher levels for any of these); and
  4. Sufficient undergraduate training to do graduate work in the given field.

Applicants Who Already Hold a Graduate Degree

The Graduate Council views academic degrees not as vocational training certificates but as evidence of broad training in research methods, independent study, and articulation of learning. Therefore, applicants who already have academic graduate degrees should be able to pursue new subject matter at an advanced level without need to enroll in a related or similar graduate program.

Programs may consider students for an additional academic master’s or professional master’s degree only if the additional degree is in a distinctly different field.

Applicants admitted to a doctoral program that requires a master’s degree to be earned at Berkeley as a prerequisite (even though the applicant already has a master’s degree from another institution in the same or a closely allied field of study) will be permitted to undertake the second master’s degree, despite the overlap in field.

The Graduate Division will admit students for a second doctoral degree only if they meet the following guidelines:

  1. Applicants with doctoral degrees may be admitted for an additional doctoral degree only if that degree program is in a general area of knowledge distinctly different from the field in which they earned their original degree. For example, a physics PhD could be admitted to a doctoral degree program in music or history; however, a student with a doctoral degree in mathematics would not be permitted to add a PhD in statistics.
  2. Applicants who hold the PhD degree may be admitted to a professional doctorate or professional master’s degree program if there is no duplication of training involved.

Applicants may apply only to one single degree program or one concurrent degree program per admission cycle.

Any applicant who was previously registered at Berkeley as a graduate student, no matter how briefly, must apply for readmission, not admission, even if the new application is to a different program.

Required Documents for Applications

  1. Transcripts:  Applicants may upload unofficial transcripts with your application for the departmental initial review. If the applicant is admitted, then official transcripts of all college-level work will be required. Admitted applicants must request a current transcript from every post-secondary school attended, including community colleges, summer sessions, and extension programs. Official transcripts must be in sealed envelopes as issued by the school(s) attended. 
    If you have attended Berkeley, upload your unofficial transcript with your application for the departmental initial review. If you are admitted, an official transcript with evidence of degree conferral will not be required.
  2. Letters of recommendation: Applicants may request online letters of recommendation through the online application system. Hard copies of recommendation letters must be sent directly to the program, not the Graduate Division.
  3. Evidence of English language proficiency: All applicants from countries or political entities in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency. This applies to applicants from Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East, the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, most European countries, and Quebec (Canada). However, applicants who, at the time of application, have already completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with grades of B or better at a US university may submit an official transcript from the US university to fulfill this requirement. The following courses will not fulfill this requirement: 1) courses in English as a Second Language, 2) courses conducted in a language other than English, 3) courses that will be completed after the application is submitted, and 4) courses of a non-academic nature. If applicants have previously been denied admission to Berkeley on the basis of their English language proficiency, they must submit new test scores that meet the current minimum from one of the standardized tests.

Where to Apply

Visit the Berkeley Graduate Division application page . 

Admission to the Program

Admission to the graduate program in nuclear engineering is available to qualified individuals who have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution in one of the fields of engineering or the physical sciences. For all programs, required preparation in undergraduate coursework includes mathematics through partial differential equations and advanced analysis, nuclear reactions, and thermodynamics. Admission is granted on the basis of undergraduate and graduate records (if any), statement of purpose, record of work experience and professional activities, letters of recommendation, and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if applicable.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

In order to receive the PhD in Nuclear Engineering, all students must successfully complete the following three milestones: 

  • Required coursework: major and minor requirements
  • Departmental exams: first year screening exams and the oral qualifying exam
  • Dissertation

Curriculum

Courses Required
Major Field (6 Graduate Level Nuclear Engineering Electives). A 3.5 GPA in the major is required.
One Technical Minor Field Outside Nuclear Engineering (2-3 courses; 1 course must be graduate level). A 3.0 GPA minimum is required for both minors.
One Technical Minor Field Outside or in Nuclear Engineering (2-3 courses; 1 course must be graduate level). All courses taken to fulfill the PhD course requirement must be letter-graded.

Departmental Exams

Screening Exam

Students must pass a written screening exam during the first year in graduate study. This exam which is based on undergraduate thermodynamics, nuclear materials, heat transfer and fluid mechanics, nuclear physics, neutronics, radiaoactive waste management and fusion theory. Four of the seven areas must be passed in order the pass the exam. There are two chances to pass.

Oral Exam

After completion of the coursework for the PhD the student takes the oral exam. The content of the exam is usually a presentation of the student's research and questions relating the coursework in the outside minor. The exam committee is composed of four faculty members (normally three from the department and a non-departmental faculty member who represents an outside minor).

PhD Dissertation

A dissertation on a subject chosen by the candidate, bearing on the principal subject of the student's major study and demonstrating the candidate's ability to carry out independent investigation, must be completed and receive the approval of the dissertation committee and the dean of the Graduate Division. The committee consists of three members, including the instructor in charge of the dissertation and one member outside the candidate's department.

Master's Degree Requirements (MS)

Master's students must choose between two degree plan options: Plan I or Plan II. Plan I requires at least 20 semester units of upper division and graduate courses, plus a thesis. At least 8 of these units must be in 200 series courses in the student's major subject. Plan II requires at least 24 semester units of upper division and graduate courses, followed by a comprehensive final examination administered by the department. At least 12 units must be in graduate courses in the student's major subject. In Nuclear Engineering, the examination takes the form of a project and presentation. An overall GPA of 3.0 is required at the time of graduation.

Curriculum

Courses Required
Thesis: Approved study list of Nuclear Engineering Electives (8 graduate courses minimum) 20
Project Plan: Approved study list of Nuclear Engineering Electives (12 graduate courses minimum)24

Both MS Plan I and Plan II are subject to the following:

i) Units for 298 (seminar) courses are not counted towards the degree.

ii) A study plan approved by the major field adviser is required each semester.

iii) A maximum of 4 units of coursework from approved non-academic institutions or 4 units from another academic institution can be used, provided course was taken while in graduate standing and meets departmental approval.

iv) Units for graduate courses taken as an undergraduate are allowed if the units were in excess of units required to satisfy the BS degree requirements.

Other Requirements

Plan I: Thesis (Requires thesis committee composed of three faculty.)

Plan II: Completion of a project culminating in a written report and an oral presentation before a committee of three faculty members or two faculty members and one approved non-university person. Approval by the professor in charge of the research project and the chair of the graduate advisers is required.

All students must take at least two letter-grade NE courses during the first year as a graduate student.

Master's Degree Requirements (MEng)

Master of Engineering (MEng)

In collaboration with other departments in the College of Engineering, Nuclear Engineering offers a one-year professional master's degree. The accelerated program is designed to develop professional engineering leaders who understand the technical, environmental, economic, and social issues involved in the design and operation of nuclear engineering devices, systems, and organizations. Prospective students will be engineers, typically with industrial experience, who aspire to substantially advance in their careers and ultimately to lead large, complex organizations, including governments.

Curriculum

Courses Required
ENGIN 295Communications for Engineering Leaders1
ENGIN 271Engineering Leadership I3
ENGIN 272Engineering Leadership II3
ENGIN 296MAMaster of Engineering Capstone Project2
ENGIN 296MBMaster of Engineering Capstone Project3
Nuclear Engineering Electives per concentration offerings: Fission Power Engineering; Power Plant Construction Management; Nuclear Fuel Cycles & Waste Management; Materials in Nuclear Technology; Risk, Safety & Systems Analysis; Beam & Accelerator Applications; Fusion Power Engineering; Homeland Security & Nonproliferation; Radiation & Health Physics

Courses

Nuclear Engineering

NUC ENG 200M Introduction to Nuclear Engineering 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017
Overview of the elements of nuclear technology in use today for the production of energy and other radiation applications. Emphasis is on nuclear fission as an energy source, with a study of the basic physics of the nuclear fission process followed by detailed discussions of issues related to the control, radioactivity management, thermal energy management, fuel production, and spent fuel management. A discussion of the various reactor types in use around the world will include analysis of safety and nuclear proliferation issues surrounding the various technologies. Case studies of some reactor accidents and other nuclear-related incidents will be included.

NUC ENG 201 Nuclear Reactions and Interactions of Radiation with Matter 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014
Interaction of gamma rays, neutrons, and charged particles with matter; nuclear structure and radioactive decay; cross sections and energetics of nuclear reactions; nuclear fission and the fission products; fission and fusion reactions as energy sources.

NUC ENG 204 Advanced Concepts in Radiation Detection and Measurements 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2013, Fall 2011
Advanced concepts in the detection of ionizing radiation relevant for basic and applied sciences, nuclear non-proliferation, and homeland security. Concepts of signal generation and processing with advantages and drawbacks of a range of detection technologies. Laboratory comprises experiments to compare conventional analog and advanced digital signal processing, information generation and processing, position-sensitive detection, tracking, and imaging modalities.

NUC ENG 220 Irradiation Effects in Nuclear Materials 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Physical aspects and computer simulation of radiation damage in metals. Void swelling and irradiation creep. Mechanical analysis of structures under irradiation. Sputtering, blistering, and hydrogen behavior in fusion reactor materials.

NUC ENG 221 Corrosion in Nuclear Power Systems 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2014, Spring 2011
Structural metals in nuclear power plants; properties and fabrication of Zircaloy; aqueous corrosion of reactor components; structural integrity of reactor components under combined mechanical loading, neutron irradiation, and chemical environment.

NUC ENG 224 Safety Assessment for Geological Disposal of Radioactive Wastes 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2014, Spring 2013, Spring 2012
Multi-barrier concept; groundwater hydrology, mathematical modeling of mass transport in heterogeneous media, source term for far-field model; near-field chemical environment, radionuclide release from waste solids, modeling of radionuclide transport in the near field, effect of temperature on repository performance, effect of water flow, effect of geochemical conditions, effect of engineered barrier alteration; overall performance assessment, performance index, uncertainty associated with assessment, regulation and standards.

NUC ENG 225 The Nuclear Fuel Cycle 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2013
This course is intended for graduate students interested in acquiring a foundation in nuclear fuel cycle with topics ranging from nuclear-fuel reprocessing to waste treatment and final disposal. The emphasis is on the relationship between nuclear-power utilization and its environmental impacts. The goal is for graduate engineering students to gain sufficient understanding in how nuclear-power utilization affects the environment, so that they are better prepared to design an advanced system that would result in minimized environmental impact. The lectures will consist of two parts. The first half includes mathematical models for individual processes in a fuel cycle, such as nuclear fuel reprocessing, waste solidification, repository performance, and nuclear transmutation in a nuclear reactor. In the second half, these individual models are integrated, which enables students to evaluate environmental impact of a fuel cycle.

NUC ENG 230 Analytical Methods for Non-Proliferation 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Use of nuclear measurement techniques to detect clandestine movement and/or possession of nuclear materials by third parties. Nuclear detection, forensics, signatures, and active passive interrogation methodologies will be explored. Techniques currently deployed for arms control and treaty verification will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on common elements of detection technology from the viewpoint of resolution of threat signatures from false positives due to naturally occurring radioactive material. Laboratory will involve experiments conducted in the Nucleonics Laboratory featuring passive and active neutron signals, gamma ray detection, fission neutron multiplicity, and U and Pu isotopic identification and age determination. Students should be familiar with alpha, beta, gamma, and neutron radiation and basic concepts of nuclear fission.

NUC ENG 250 Nuclear Reactor Theory 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2015, Fall 2013
Fission characteristics; neutron chain reactions, neutron transport and diffusion theory; reactor kinetics; multigroup methods, fast and thermal spectrum calculations, inhomogeneous reactor design, effects of poisons and fuel depletion.

NUC ENG 255 Numerical Simulation in Radiation Transport 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
Computational methods used to analyze nuclear reactor systems described by various differential, integral, and integro-differential equations. Numerical methods include finite difference, finite elements, discrete ordinates, and Monte Carlo. Examples from neutron and photon transport, heat transfer, and thermal hydraulics. An overview of optimization techniques for solving the resulting discrete equations on vector and parallel computer systems.

NUC ENG 260 Thermal Aspects of Nuclear Reactors 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2014, Fall 2012
Fluid dynamics and heat transfer; thermal and hydraulic analysis of nuclear reactors; two-phase flow and boiling; compressible flow; stress analysis; energy conversion methods.

NUC ENG 262 Radiobiology 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017
Radiobiology is concerned with the action of ionizing radiation on biological tissues and living organisms. It combines two disciplines: radiation physics and biology. Radiobiology combines our understanding of ionizing radiation and molecular biology, and is a required knowledge for health physicists, radiation biologists and medical physicists. This course will provide such knowledge for a diverse group of students with need in either disciplines. This course represents one of the requisites for the Joint UC Berkeley-UC San Francisco Medical Physics Certificate Program.

NUC ENG 265 Design Analysis of Nuclear Reactors 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2013
Principles and techniques of economic analysis to determine capital and operating costs; fuel management and fuel cycle optimization; thermal limits on reactor performance, thermal converters, and fast breeders; control and transient problems; reactor safety and licensing; release of radioactivity from reactors and fuel processing plants.

NUC ENG 267 Risk-Informed Design for Advanced Nuclear Systems 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
Project-based class for design and licensing of nuclear facilities,including advanced reactors. Elements of a project proposal. Regulatory framework and use of deterministic and probabilistic licensing criteria. Siting criteria. External and internal events. Identification and analysis of design basis and beyond design basis
events. Communication with regulators and stakeholders. Ability to work in and contribute to a design team.

NUC ENG 275 Principles and Methods of Risk Analysis 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2013, Fall 2011
Principles and methodological approaches for the quantification of technological risk and risk-based decision making.

NUC ENG 280 Fusion Reactor Engineering 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Engineering and design of fusion systems. Introduction to controlled thermonuclear fusion as an energy economy, from the standpoint of the physics and technology involved. Case studies of fusion reactor design. Engineering principles of support technology for fusion systems.

NUC ENG 281 Fully Ionized Plasmas 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2014, Spring 2011
Introduction to warm and hot magnetized plasmas. Single particle motion in electric and magnetic fields. Collective particle oscillations, waves and instabilities. Magnetohydrodynamic equilibria, stability and transport. Magnetically confined plasmas for controlled fusion. Space plasmas.

NUC ENG C282 Charged Particle Sources and Beam Technology 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2015, Fall 2013, Fall 2011
Topics in this course will include the latest technology of various types of ion and electron sources, extraction and formation of charge particle beams, computer simulation of beam propagation, diagnostics of ion sources and beams, and the applications of beams in fusion, synchrotron light source, neutron generation, microelectronics, lithography, and medical therapy. This is a general accelerator technology and engineering course that will be of interest to graduate students in physics, electrical engineering, and nuclear engineering.

NUC ENG C285 Nuclear Security: The Nexus Between Policy and Technology 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
The course will review the origins and evolution of nuclear energy, how it has been applied for both peaceful and military purposes, and the current and prospective challenges it presents. The purpose of the course is to educate students on the policy roots and technological foundations of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons so they are positioned to make original contributions to the field in their scholarly and professional careers.

NUC ENG 290A Special Topics in Applied Nuclear Physics 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2016, Fall 2014
Special topics in applied nuclear physics. Topics may include applied nuclear reactions and instrumentation, bionuclear and radiological physics, and subsurface nuclear technology, among other possibilities. Course content may vary from semester to semester depending upon the instructor.

NUC ENG 290B Special Topics in Nuclear Materials and Chemistry 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2013
Special topics in nuclear materials and chemistry. Topics may include advanced nuclear materials and corrosion. Course content may vary from semester to semester depending upon the instructor.

NUC ENG 290C Special Topics in Nuclear Energy 3 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2002 10 Week Session
Special topics in nuclear energy. Topics may include fission reactor analysis and engineering, nuclear thermal hydraulics, and risk, safety and large-scale systems analysis. Course content may vary from semester to semester depending on the instructor.

NUC ENG 290D Special Topics in Nuclear Non-Proliferation 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Summer 2007 3 Week Session
Special topics in nuclear non-proliferation. Topics may include homeland security and nuclear policy, and nuclear fuel cycle and waster management. Course content may vary from semester to semester depending on the instructor.

NUC ENG 290E Special Topics in Environmental Aspects of Nuclear Energy 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
Special topics in environmental aspects of nuclear energy. Lectures on special topics of interest in environmental impacts of nuclear power utilizations, including severe accidents. The course content may vary from semester to semester, and will be announced at the beginning of each semester.

NUC ENG 290F Special Topics in Fusion and Plasma Physics 3 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2007 10 Week Session, Summer 2007 3 Week Session
Special topics in fusion and plasma physics. Topics may include laser, particle bean and plasma technologies, fusion science and technology, and accelerators. Course content may vary
from semester to semester depending upon the instructor.

NUC ENG 295 Nuclear Engineering Colloquium 0.0 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Presentations on current topics of interest in nuclear technology by experts from government, industry and universities. Open to the campus community.

NUC ENG 298 Group Research Seminars 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Seminars in current research topics in nuclear engineering: Section 1 - Fusion; Section 2 - Nuclear Waste Management; Section 3 - Nuclear Thermal Hydraulics; Section 4 - Nuclear Chemistry; Section 6 - Nuclear Materials; Section 7 - Fusion reaction design; Section 8 - Nuclear Instrumentation.

NUC ENG 299 Individual Research 1 - 12 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Investigation of advanced nuclear engineering problems.

NUC ENG N299 Individual Research 1 - 6 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Summer 2016 8 Week Session, Summer 2015 8 Week Session
Investigation of advanced nuclear engineering problems.

NUC ENG 375 Teaching Techniques in Nuclear Engineering 1 - 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
This course is designed to acquaint new teaching assistants with the nature of graduate student instruction in courses in the department of Nuclear Engineering. Discussion, practice, and review of issues relevant to the teaching of nuclear engineering. Effective teaching methods will be introduced by experienced GSIs and faculty.

NUC ENG 602 Individual Study for Doctoral Students 1 - 8 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Individual study in consultation with the major field adviser, intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare themselves for the various examinations required of candidates for the Ph.D.

Faculty and Instructors

Faculty

Joonhong Ahn, Professor. Radioactive waste management, mathematical safety assessment of deep geologic repository, transport of radionuclides in geologic formations, environmental impact of severe accidents.
Research Profile

Lee A. Bernstein, Adjunct Professor.

Massimiliano Fratoni, Assistant Professor. Nuclear reactor design, fuel cycle analysis, fusion reactors.
Research Profile

Peter Hosemann, Associate Professor. Microscopy, nanomaterials, Nuclear materials, material science, radiation damage, corrosion in liquid metals, materials development, materials under extremes, nuclear applications, ion beam microscopy, nanoscale mechanical testing.
Research Profile

Daniel M. Kammen, Professor. Public policy, nuclear engineering, energy, resources, risk analysis as applied to global warming, methodological studies of forecasting, hazard assessment, renewable energy technologies, environmental resource management.
Research Profile

Digby D. Macdonald, Professor in Residence.

Edward C. Morse, Professor. Applied plasma physics: fusion technology: microwaves, experimental investigation of RF plasma heating, experimental studies of compact toroids spectral method for magnetohydrodynamic stability.
Research Profile

Per F. Peterson, Professor. Nuclear engineering, heat and mass transfer, reactor thermal hydraulics, nuclear reactor design, radioactive waste, nuclear materials management.
Research Profile

Rachel Slaybaugh, Assistant Professor. Computational methods, high performance computing, neutron transport.
Research Profile

Karl A. Van Bibber, Professor. Experimental nuclear physics, Particle Astrophysics, Accelerator Technology and Neutron Sources.
Research Profile

Kai Vetter, Professor in Residence.

Jasmina L. Vujic, Professor. Nuclear engineering, numerical methods in reactor physics, neutron and photon transport, reactor core design and analysis, shielding, radiation protection, biomedical application of radiation, optimization techniques for vector, parallel computers.
Research Profile

Lecturers

Ralph E. Berger, Lecturer.

Alan Michael Bolind, Lecturer.

Emeritus Faculty

T. Kenneth Fowler, Professor Emeritus. Plasma physics, nuclear engineering, magnetic fusion, confinement and stability of plasmas for thermonuclear fusion, fusion reactor design, spehromak compact toroid plasma confinement configuration.
Research Profile

Lawrence M. Grossman, Professor Emeritus. Nuclear engineering, reactor physics, numerical approximation methods in neutron diffusion, transport theory, control and optimization theory in nuclear reactor engineering.
Research Profile

Selig N. Kaplan, Professor Emeritus. Radiation reactions, interaction of radiation of matter, detection and measurement of ionizing radiation.
Research Profile

William E. Kastenberg, Professor Emeritus. Risk management, risk assessment, nuclear reactor safety, ethical issues in emerging technologies.
Research Profile

Eric B. Norman, Professor Emeritus. Nuclear astrophysics, experimental nuclear physics, homeland security, neutrinos.
Research Profile

Donald R. Olander, Professor Emeritus. Nuclear engineering, nuclear materials: reactor fuel behavior, hydriding of zirconium and uranium, high-temperature kinetic and thermodynamic behavior of nuclear reactor fuels, performance of degraded nuclear fuels.
Research Profile

Contact Information

Department of Nuclear Engineering

4153 Etcheverry Hall

Phone: 510-642-5010

Visit Department Website

Department Chair

Karl van Bibber, PhD

Phone: 510-542-3477

karl.van.bibber@nuc.berkeley.edu

Graduate Student Affairs Officer

Kirsten Wimple Hall

4149 Etcheverry Hall

Phone: 510-642-5760

admissions@nuc.berkeley.edu

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