Graduate certificate in Nuclear engineering
Overview
The renaissance of nuclear science and technology in the United States has created a need in the marketplace once again for engineers with nuclear knowledge. The University of Pittsburgh aims to meet these marketplace needs by preparing engineers through the graduate certificate in nuclear engineering.
Classes are taught by current and former nuclear engineers, including faculty with experience conducting commercial nuclear operations programs for Westinghouse and with certifications from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
objectives
The objectives of the nuclear engineering certificate are:
- To develop the advanced competencies needed by science and engineering graduates to contribute quickly and effectively to the renaissance of nuclear science and technology in the United States and abroad, and
- To create a benchmark educational program that can serve as a model throughout academia.
This program provides coursework for graduate level nuclear engineering education with a focus on nuclear operations and safety. The certificate may be combined with graduate courses in any one of the School’s seven MS degree programs (Bioengineering, Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Computer, Industrial, Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering). This focus on nuclear operations and safety not only fulfills a recognized educational need, but is also designed to take advantage of unique industrial resources in the Pittsburgh area which will greatly facilitate student learning.
The program will be sufficiently flexible to accommodate students from a wide spectrum of engineering disciplines.
Requirements
All students must successfully complete five of the following nine courses in order to earn either the graduate or postbaccalaureate certificate:
- ENGR 2101: Nuclear Core Dynamics (next offering in summer term 2008)
- The course will be held at the Westinghouse Energy Center. This course is a prerequisite for other courses in the ENGR 2102, 2103, 2104 and 2105 series.
- Prerequisites: An undergraduate course in nuclear engineering, work experience with nuclear systems, or permission of the instructor.
ENGR 2102: Nuclear Plant Dynamics and Control (next offering in fall term 2008)
Prerequisite: ENGR 2101.
- ENGR 2103: Integration of Nuclear Plant Systems with the Reactor Core (next offering in fall term 2008)
Prerequisite: ENGR 2101
ENGR 2104: Nuclear Operations Safety (initial offering summer term 2008 provided there is sufficient enrollment) - The course will be held at the Westinghouse Energy Center.
Prerequisites: An undergraduate course in nuclear engineering, work experience with nuclear systems, or permission of the instructor.
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ENGR 2105: Integrated Nuclear Power Plant Operations (to be offered in summer term 2009)
Prerequisite: ENGR 2101, 2102, 2103.
ENGR 2110: Nuclear Materials (to be offered in spring terms)
Prerequisite: An undergraduate course in material science or permission of the instructor.
ENGR 2115: Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow in Nuclear Plants (to be offered in fall terms)
Prerequisite: An undergraduate course in heat transfer and fluid flow or permission of the instructor.
ENGR 2120: Nuclear Plant Security (to be offered 2009-2010)
- ENGR 2130: Environmental Issues and Solutions for Nuclear Power (to be offered 2009-2010)
Who May Apply
- Practicing engineers currently in or aspiring to a leadership role in the nuclear industry,
- Engineering professionals who desire graduate level education in nuclear engineering with a focus on safe nuclear plant operations,
- New graduates with a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a technical discipline, and
- Professionals who manage multidisciplinary teams for project design or management in the nuclear industry.
How to Apply
At the University of Pittsburgh, any student pursuing a Master’s degree in the Swanson School of Engineering may pursue the graduate certificate in nuclear engineering as a focus track. It is also possible for individuals who wish to achieve the certificate only to apply as well. To apply, please click here.
Who to contact
If you have questions about the curriculum, please contact Larry Foulke, Director of Nuclear Programs, at
If you have questions about registration, please contact Glinda Harvey at
