nuclear_engineer
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Posts posted by nuclear_engineer
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Has anyone heard from UIUC Nuclear, Plasma and Radiologial Eng. yet??????
Give Becky Meline a call or email (see website). She is friendly and will be more than willing to help you out.
-UIUC NPRE alum
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I was accepted at Texas A&M with a 1230/mo. stipend. I am most interested in renting a 1br or studio, since I don't want roommates. Can I afford to do this, and live, considering the amount of my stipend? Any thoughts?
im also going to A&M in the fall with a stipend of 2k/mo and am also looking for a studio/1 br.
based on my research so far, it looks like the ones that are close to campus are around 600/month.
my preference is to be near the student rec since i like to exercise in the morning before classes so the apartments im looking at may be pricier.
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Do you mean MS?
You might want to contact them directly because I have heard from other applicants they have already heard back.
I have not received anything since this year from MIT..
Has anyone got a result?
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Where are you applying? Does anyone know about admissions/funding information from Berkeley?
I am currently applying to PhD programs at Penn State, Texas A&M and U Michigan.
From what I have heard, department funding for Berkeley is difficult to come by, not just for nuclear engineering, but for engineering as a whole.
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I've contacted departments in 5/6 universities presenting my case and asking about eligibility. The response has been a bit mixed. Most say it would not be possible, or I would have to take more than a year of pre-reqs. Some responses have been encouraging and gave me hope this was possible.
@nuclear_engineer : Your post was very helpful. Thank you. As for my undergrad background, I did take Calculus and Differential Equation courses along with some physics. Here's a list of courses :
Introduction to Computer Science
Computer Programming
Calculus and Linear Algebra
Applied Physics
Object Oriented Programming
Computational Methods
Communication Skills
Calculus II, this included Differential EquationsProbability & Statistics
Electronics
Digital Logic Design
System Analysis and Design
Data Structures
Discrete Mathematics
Visual Programming
Computer Organization & Programming
Theory of Automata
Internet based Software Development
Project Management
Database Management Systems
Operating Systems
Programming Languages
Design and Analysis of Algorithms
Introduction to Data Communication
Software Engineering
Computer Networks
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Architecture
Micro-controllers and Microprocessors
Computer Graphics & Image Processing
Robotics and CNC Machines
Industrial Automation & Control Systems
Embedded Systems Development
Digital Signal Processing
Machine Design & Mechanics of Materials
System Programming
Mobile Communications
VLSI Design
Entrepreneurship and Leadership Apart from Penn State are there any other similar programs that are more open to people from other undergrad profiles ? I'd like to know so I can be more focused when I start applying.
Thanks again.
I think you will have a very difficult time getting accepted to top tier programs such as U Michigan, MIT, Texas A&M, and UC Berkeley without a Bachelor's degree or research experience in the field. You should keep in mind that most applicants possess not only a strong academic/research background in nuclear physics, but are also adept in computational methods.
However, I know as a fact that CS undergraduate majors and non-majors in general have gotten into the MS Nuclear Engineering programs at second tier schools such as the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Penn State University (where I got my undergrad and masters degree, respectively).
In my opinion, those schools offer an excellent nuclear engineering program, and have courses specifically targeted towards non-majors entering the graduate curriculum. The professors to talk to regarding research in computational methods would be Dr. Uddin at UIUC and Dr. Ivanov at PSU. You can email them explaining your educational background and your interest in nuclear engineering, and what research they envision you participating in as a Master's student.
Also, your points of contacts are correct in that even if you are admitted into the second-tier programs, you will have to take a handful of junior/senior undergraduate level classes in order to meet the requirements for the graduate level classes. As I said before, it will be achievable but difficult!
I also think you have adequate math experience in terms of an entering graduate student. I am sure if you do research in computational methods, there will be plenty more math e.g. numerical analysis to take.
Anyway, in the mean time, I would highly suggest picking up and reading(cover to cover) either "Introduction to Nuclear Engineering" by John R. Lamarsh or "Fundamentals of Nuclear Science and Engineering" by Shultis and Faw.Those books will give you a great overview into every aspect of nuclear engineering. For computational methods in nuclear engineering, I would read "Computational Methods for Neutron Transport" by Lewis. That book will give you a very strong background on fundamental techniques for computational nuclear engineering.
In addition, I would also read a few recent papers by professors(won't make sense to you unless you read Computational Methods for Neutron Transport) before applying, so that when you do apply, you can succinctly state your research area of interest.
Alright. Good luck.
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Your CS skills can play nicely in the Nuclear Engineering field.
Much of the research today involves code development for analyzing steady-state nuclear systems i.e. Monte Carlo and deterministic type codes, and also transient nuclear systems that couple the neutronics side with the thermal-hydraulics side.
At Penn State, they have a introduction to Nuclear Engineering course which is targeted towards non-majors beginning their graduate study in Nuclear Engineering. I am sure that a similar type of course exists for all other academic institutions offering Nuclear Engineering as a Master's option.
Aside from the Nuclear Engineering background, you also need a relatively strong mathematics skill base in order to solve problems related to neutron transport or most reactor analysis problems in general.
Anyway, in my opinion the jump from CS to Nuclear Engineering will not be a easy one since you lack a lot of the physics background. However, if you take the introduction courses for grad students and study the undergraduate physics concepts on your own time, I am sure it is achievable.
Hope that helped.
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I am EXACTLY the same way. I struggle with feeling anxious about social interactions on a daily basis.
I rarely talk to my coworkers or peers I don't know well unless they start the conversation. It's even bad to the point where I feel uncomfortable saying Hi to someone when I pass them by in the hall! I absolutely DREAD calling people, and much prefer communication via email where I can perfect my message. I swear there is some mental block between what I am thinking and what comes out of my mouth!
But what I have learned is that sometimes you just have to go for it. For example, a couple months ago I had to ask my manager and a couple of professors from my old schools for recommendations. I just took deep breaths, gathered my thoughts and went for it each time, whether it was in person or on the phone.
The hardest meeting for me was with a distinguished professor at a school I am applying for to ask about potential research projects! I was sweating bullets through out the whole meeting, but managed to keep a nice coherent conversation going.
Anyway, I don't think this is something that can be easily overcome, but I think if you just keep going at it, it will get better with time!
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FYI, nuclear PE test is only offered once a year in October
Ah, you're right. I just realized I am past the deadline anyway to take it in April. Oh well...
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I recently completed my M.ENG degree (Nuclear Eng.) from Penn State with funding from my company.
An M.ENG degree is a non-research degree. You basically take approx. 30 hours of coursework and possibly a professional paper i.e. a mini self-guided project.
I would highly recommend you to go into industry and seek company reimbursement if you are going after an M.ENG.
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I graduated with my BS (Nuclear Engineering) in 2008, then racked up 3 years of industry experience in addition to a Master's degree.
Now I qualify to take the PE Nuclear Engineering Exam.
My question is will obtaining a PE license boost my chances of getting into a Nuclear Engineering PhD program?
I figure if I have to study for the candidacy exam, I might as well take the PE which covers more or less the same material (but less theoretical, of course).
Thanks!
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What are my chances for the schools I am applying to as a Nuclear Engineer? (I am very nervous!)
Undergrad Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Major(s): Nuclear Engineering
GPA in Major: 3.85
Overall GPA: 3.50
Length of Degree: Finished in 4 years (graduated 2008)
Position in Class: Near top
Type of Student: Domestic / Male / Asian
GRE Scores:
Q: 800
V: 640
W: 4.0
Research Experience: 2 years of undergraduate research in related field resulting in 2 publications as co-author, 1 summer research position with National Science Foundation
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's List, NSF scholar, a handful of industry awards for nuclear engineers, Alpha Nu Sigma member
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 3 years of industry experience (2008 to present) at a national lab in related field
Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Completed M.ENG in Nuclear Engineering from Penn State University (GPA: 3.97) at the same time I was in industry, performed research for the M.ENG degree at Rennsselaer Polytechnic Institute, completed FE exam (planning on taking PE in April, also for nuclear engineering)
Applying for PhD at:
University of Michigan - Nuclear Engineering - pending
Texas A&M - Nuclear Engineering - pending
Penn State University - Nuclear Engineering - pending
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What are my chances for the schools I am applying to as a Nuclear Engineer? (I am very nervous!)
Undergrad Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Major(s): Nuclear Engineering
GPA in Major: 3.85
Overall GPA: 3.50
Length of Degree: Finished in 4 years (graduated 2008)
Position in Class: Near top
Type of Student: Domestic / Male / Asian
GRE Scores:
Q: 800
V: 640
W: 4.0
Research Experience: 2 years of undergraduate research in related field resulting in 2 publications as co-author, 1 summer research position with National Science Foundation
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's List, NSF scholar, a handful of industry awards for nuclear engineers, Alpha Nu Sigma member
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 3 years of industry experience (2008 to present) at a national lab
Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Completed M.ENG in Nuclear Engineering from Penn State University at the same time I was in industry, performed research for the M.ENG degree at Rennsselaer Polytechnic Institute, completed FE exam (planning on taking PE in April, also for nuclear engineering)
Applying for [ MS ] or [ PhD ] at:
University of Michigan - Nuclear Engineering - pending
Texas A&M - Nuclear Engineering - pending
Penn State University - Nuclear Engineering - pending
College Station, TX
in City Guide
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I also looked at those two complexes.
I decided to go with Treehouse Apartments which is ~0.25 miles from the student rec center (a very important deciding factor for me!).
I heard bad things about college view but that may be an isolated incident.