Undergraduate Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear Engineering

Undergraduate Advisor
Robert D. Busch


Mission Statement

The B.S. programs in the Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering will provide an outstanding education that prepares students to be productive and responsible members of society, with the skills and knowledge to be successful in their professional careers or post-graduate studies. This will be accomplished by engaging students in a variety of academic, research and service activities, and fostering a learning environment that is supportive for a body of students that is diverse in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, and prior educational background.

Introduction

Nuclear engineering is an exciting, rapidly-evolving field that requires engineers with an understanding of physical processes of nuclear energy and an ability to apply concepts in new and creative ways. Nuclear engineers are primarily concerned with the control, monitoring and use of energy released in nuclear processes. Some nuclear engineers work on the design and safety aspects of environmentally sound, passively safe, proliferation resistant nuclear fission reactors. Still others are looking to future energy solutions through development and implementation of nuclear fusion systems. Others are helping in the exploration and utilization of outer space by developing long term, reliable nuclear energy sources. With the renewed concern in environmental science, nuclear engineers are working on safe disposal concepts for radioactive waste and on methods for reduction of radiation releases from industrial facilities. They also work in developing a wide variety of applications for radioisotopes such as the treatment and diagnosis of diseases; food preservation, manufacturing development, processing and quality control; and biological and mechanical process tracers. For each of these fields there are numerous opportunities for nuclear engineers in basic research, applications, operations and training. Moreover, nuclear engineers with advanced computational skills are in strong demand in the national security, medical physics and radiation processing fields.

The mission of nuclear engineering education is to give the student an excellent understanding of nuclear processes and fundamentals and provide the physical and engineering principles that lead to applications of the basic processes. The goal of our program is to provide rigorous Nuclear Engineering education and training at the Bachelor of Science level. Our undergraduate program is built on an academically strong, research-oriented faculty and a sound graduate program in Nuclear Engineering. This strong foundation is enhanced by the nearby presence of three national laboratories dealing in Nuclear Engineering research (Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories and Air Force Research Laboratory).

Graduates of the undergraduate program in Nuclear Engineering will be successfully progressing in their careers by:

  1. demonstrating technical competence in their nuclear engineering-related professional or post-baccalaureate educational endeavors,
  2. solving problems efficiently in diverse areas of nuclear engineering and other related professions and
  3. communicating effectively in both written and oral media.

The most up-to-date version of the educational objectives is available at the web site (http://www-chne.unm.edu/).

Our program emphasizes the broad knowledge and intellectual values of a liberal arts education and the fundamentals of engineering science at the lower levels and engineering design and computational tools at the upper levels. The course of study in nuclear engineering gives the student broad training in the fundamentals of mathematics, physics, chemistry and engineering, followed by professional specialty course work involving radiation interaction with matter, radiation transport, radiation detection and protection, nuclear reactor theory and safety, thermalhydraulics and nuclear systems design. Students also select technical electives that allow them to explore in-depth areas of interest in nuclear engineering. The graduate nuclear engineer will find a wide variety of career opportunities or will be well prepared to pursue advanced graduate studies.

Our goal is to produce highly motivated Nuclear Engineers who have strong verbal and written communication skills and excellent engineering training and knowledge. Graduates will have an ability to design, conduct and analyze experiments and experimental data. They will have an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility and of the background to understand societal impact and risks/benefits of engineering solutions. Our program provides an academic experience focusing on technically current material, with opportunities for interested undergraduate students to participate in nuclear engineering research projects.

We seek to graduate students capable of making decisions, analyzing alternatives and creating integrated designs that are solutions to engineering problems with economic and political constraints. To help achieve this, we have integrated design into our courses, from the sophomore through senior year. Our philosophy for design is to expose the student to a variety of design topics representative of the types of assignments they may expect in an industrial setting. We feel they should be given exposure to modern computational and design tools and that they should have experience working in groups as well as individually.

Nuclear Engineering students begin their program design experience during their sophomore year with an introduction to open-ended problems and design concepts. This experience continues throughout the program with open-ended work a part of each semester. As students move through the program, the breadth and depth of the design experience increases from a few examples in the introductory courses to a wide variety of projects associated with hardware, systems, and experiments. In their junior year, students are exposed to experimental design and participate in a series of design problems applied to nuclear and radiological systems. Economic issues of design are identified early in the sequence and are integrated throughout our upper level courses. During the senior year, students are exposed to more detailed facets of the design process and design integration. This work culminates with a capstone nuclear design course taken during the second semester of the senior year. This course involves a complete system design, integrating technical, economic, safety and environmental issues at senior year depth. Here, teamwork and careful analysis of trade-offs are essential components for a successful design.


Curriculum in Nuclear Engineering

The Bachelor of Science Program in Nuclear Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone (410) 347-7700.

Hours required for graduation: 133 (6)

First Year First Semester Cr. Hrs. Lect/Lab
CHNE 101 Introduction to Chemical Engineering and Nuclear Engineering 1
CHNE 121 General Chemistry 3
CHEM 123L General Chemistry Lab 1
ENGL 101 Composition I: Exposition 3
MATH 162 Calculus I 4
    Core Humanities Elective (1)
3
           15
      Second Semester              
PHYC 160 General Physics 3
CHEM 122 General Chemistry II 3
CHEM 124L General Chemistry II Lab 1
MATH 163 Calculus II 4
ENGL 102 Composition II: Analysis and Argument 3
CS 151L Computer Programming Fundamentals for Non-Majors 3
                             17
Second Year First Semester            
CHNE 230 Principles of Radiation Protection 3
PHYC 161 General Physics 3
MATH 264 Calculus III 4
ENGL 219 Technical Writing 3
ECON 105 Introductory Macroeconomics 3
                                 16
            Second Semester            
CHNE 213 Lab Electronics for CHNEs 3
CHNE 231 Principles of Nuclear
Engineering
3
CHNE 314 Thermo & Nucl Sys 3
CHNE 372 Nucl Engr Material Science 2
PHYC 262
General Physics 3
MATH 316 Applied Ordinary Differential
Equations
3
                              17
Third Year First Semester          
CHNE 311 Introduction to Transport
Phenomena
4
CHNE 317 Chemical and Nuclear
Engineering Analysis
3
CHNE 323L Radiation Detection and
Measurement
3
CE 202 Engineering Statics 3
       Core Social/Behavioral Elective(1) 3
                                  16
           Second Semester          
CHNE 310 Neutron Diffusion 3
CHNE 312 Unit Operations 3
CHNE 313L Introduction to Laboratory Techniques
for Nuclear Engineering
3
CHNE 330 Nuclear Engineering Science 
2
       Technical Elective (2) 3
         Core Second Language Elective (1) 3
                                   17
Fourth Year (3,4) First Semester        
CHNE 410 Nuclear Reactor Theory I 3
CHNE 462 Monte Carlo Tech 3
CHNE 464 Thermal-Hydraulics of Nuclear Systems 3
CHNE 497L Introduction to Nuclear Engineering Design 3
           Core Humanities Elective (1) 3
          Tech Elective(2) 3
                                    18 
        Second Semester        
CHNE 413L Nuclear Engineering Laboratory 3
CHNE 452 Senior Seminar 1
CHNE 470 Nucl Matls & Fuel Cycle 3
CHNE 498L Nuclear Engineering Design 4
     Nuclear Engineering Tech Elective (5)
3
      Core Fine Arts Elective(1) 3
                    17

Footnotes:

  1.  Students should consult an advisor to obtain a list of acceptable courses to fulfill the Core Curriculum. These courses may be taken whenever convenient.
  2. Technical electives are chosen from approved upper-division courses in engineering, mathematics and science. The department requires that these courses be part of an approved concentration. The chairperson may allow up to 6 hours of technical electives for students taking required ROTC courses in aerospace or naval science.
  3. Students must file an application for the B.S. degree prior to the completion of 95 semester hours of applicable courses.
  4. Students are encouraged to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination during their senior year. This is the first formal step toward professional registration. 
  5. The NE Technical Elective is chosen from a list of approved upper-division nuclear engineering courses with the approval of the student's advisor.
  6. To count towards graduation credit hours, each course must be completed with a grade of C- or better. Courses used to fulfill the University of New Mexico Core Curriculum require a grade of C or better.

Nuclear Engineering Laboratories

The nuclear engineering laboratories are equipped with an AGN-201M nuclear training reactor; a hot-cell facility with remote manipulators; a graphite pile; several solid state detectors for alpha, beta and gamma radiation; computer based data acquisition, analysis and control systems; and supporting radiation measurements systems. In addition to the well-equipped laboratories on campus, the advanced reactors and radiation equipment of Sandia National Laboratories, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Air Force Research Laboratory are utilized for instruction and research.


Computer Facilities

Computers provide the basic computational tool for today’s modern engineer. The department maintains a computer pod equipped with PC computers. Additional computers are available in the many University of New Mexico computer pods maintained by the University of New Mexico’s Information Technology Services. Freshman engineering students are introduced to the many computer facilities and programming. Numerical analysis is an important part of each year’s instruction in engineering, and by the senior year students make extensive use of sophisticated neutron transport and thermalhydraulics production codes. In addition to these technical software packages, students also gain experience with mathematical packages such as spreadsheets and symbolic manipulation software.


Honors Program

Eligible freshmen and upperclassmen in the Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering are urged to enroll in the Honors Program. Chemical and nuclear engineering students may graduate with General Honors (honors in general studies), with Departmental Honors or both. Information is available from departmental advisors and the University Honors Center.


Cooperative Education

Nuclear engineering students may participate in the cooperative education program. Excellent opportunities exist throughout the country for undergraduate students. For further information, refer to Section III: Cooperative Education Program in this catalog, or contact the Director of Career Services.


Courses

CHNE 101. Introduction to Chemical Engineering and Nuclear Engineering. (1)



CHNE 213. Laboratory Electronics for Chemical and Nuclear Engineers. (3)



CHNE 230. Principles of Radiation Protection. (3)



CHNE 231. Principles of Nuclear Engineering. (3)



CHNE 251. Chemical Process Calculations I. (3)



CHNE 253. Chemical Process Calculations II. (3)



CHNE 302. Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics. (4)



CHNE 310. Neutron Diffusion Theory. (3)



CHNE 311. Introduction to Transport Phenomena. (4)



CHNE 312. Unit Operations. (3)



CHNE 313L. Introduction to Laboratory Techniques for Nuclear Engineering. (3)



CHNE 314. Thermodynamics and Nuclear Systems. (3)



CHNE 317. Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis. (3)



CHNE 318L. Chemical Engineering Laboratory I. (1)



CHNE 319L. Chemical Engineering Laboratory II. (1)



CHNE 321. Mass Transfer. (3)



CHNE **323L. Radiation Detection and Measurement. (3)



CHNE *330. Nuclear Engineering Science. (2)



CHNE 361. Biomolecular Engineering. (3)



CHNE 371. Introduction to Materials Engineering. (3)



CHNE 372. Nuclear Materials Engineering. (2)



CHNE 403 / 503. Heterogeneous Catalysis Seminar. (2 to a maximum of 20 Δ)



CHNE 404 / 504. Nanomaterials Seminar. (2 to a maximum of 20 Δ)



CHNE 405 . High Performance Engines. (3)



CHNE 406 / 506. Bioengineering Seminar. (2 to a maximum of 20 Δ)



CHNE *410. Nuclear Reactor Theory I. (3)



CHNE *413L. Nuclear Engineering Laboratory. (3)



CHNE 418L. Chemical Engineering Laboratory III. (1)



CHNE 419L. Chemical Engineering Laboratory IV. (2)



CHNE 432. Introduction to Medical Physics. (3)



CHNE 436 / 536. Biomedical Technology. (3)



CHNE 439 / 539. Radioactive Waste Management. (3)



CHNE 449 . Seminar in Hazardous Waste Management. (1, no limit Δ)



CHNE 451 / 452. Senior Seminar. (1, 1)



CHNE 454. Process Dynamics and Control. (3)



CHNE **461. Chemical Reactor Engineering. (3)



CHNE 462. Monte Carlo Techniques for Nuclear Systems. (3)



CHNE 464 / 564. Thermal-Hydraulics of Nuclear Systems. (3)



CHNE *466. Nuclear Environmental Safety Analysis. (3)



CHNE 468 / 568 . Introduction to Space Nuclear Power. (3)



CHNE 470. Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Materials. (3)



CHNE *475. Polymer Science and Engineering. (3)



CHNE *476. Nuclear Chemical Engineering. (3)



CHNE 477 / 577. Electrochemical Engineering. (3)



CHNE *485. Fusion Technology. (3)



CHNE 486 / 586. Statistical Design of Experiments for Semiconductor Manufacturing. (3)



CHNE 491 – 492. Undergraduate Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



CHNE 493L. Chemical Engineering Design. (3)



CHNE 494L. Advanced Chemical Engineering Design. (3)



CHNE 495 – 496. Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Honors Problems I and II. (1-6, 1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



CHNE *497L. Introduction to Nuclear Engineering Design. (3)



CHMS 498L. Nuclear Engineering Design. (4)



CHNE 499. Selected Topics. (1-3, no limit Δ)



CHNE 501. Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Seminar. (1, no limit Δ)



CHNE 502. Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Research Methods Seminar. (1)



CHNE 503 - 403. Heterogeneous Catalysis Seminar. (2 to a maximum of 20 Δ)



CHNE 504 / 404. Nanomaterials Seminar. (2 to a maximum of 20 Δ)



CHNE 506 / 406. Bioengineering Seminar. (2 to a maximum of 20 Δ)



CHNE 507 . Surface and Material Engineering. (2 to a maximum of 20 Δ)



CHNE 508 . Nuclear Engineering Seminar. (2 to a maximum of 20 Δ)



CHNE 511. Nuclear Reactor Theory II. (3)



CHNE 512. Characterization Methods for Nanostructures. (3)



CHNE 513L. Nuclear Engineering Laboratory II. (1 to a maximum of 4 Δ)



CHNE 515. Special Topics. (1-3, no limit Δ)



NONE 516. Medical Imaging I-X-ray Physics. (3)



CHNE 518. Synthesis of Nanostructures. (3)



CHNE 519. Medical Imaging II - MR, Ultrasound and Nuclear Medicine Physics. (3)



CHNE 519L. Medical Imaging Laboratory II - MR, Ultrasound and Nuclear Imaging Physics. (1)



CHNE 520. Radiation Interactions and Transport. (3)



CHNE 521. Advanced Transport Phenomena I. (3)



CHNE 522L. Fundamentals of Nanofluidics. (3)



CHNE 523L. Environmental Measurements Laboratory. (1 to a maximum of 4 Δ)



CHNE 524. Interaction of Radiation with Matter. (3)



CHNE 525. Methods of Analysis in Chemical and Nuclear Engineering. (3)



CHNE 526. Advanced Analysis in Chemical and Nuclear Engineering. (3)



CHNE 527. Radiation Biology for Engineers and Scientists. (3)



CHNE 528. External Radiation Dosimetry. (3)



CHNE 529. Internal Radiation Dosimetry. (3)



CHNE 530. Surface and Interfacial Phenomena. (3)



CHNE 531. Nanoscale Quantum Structure Growth and Device Applications. (3)



CHNE 536 / 436. Biomedical Technology. (3)



CHNE 539 / 439. Radioactive Waste Management . (3)



CHNE 540. Radiation Oncology Physics. (3)



CHNE 541L. Radiation Oncology Physics Laboratory. (3)



CHNE 542. Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics. (3)



CHNE 546. Charged Particle Beams and High Power Microwaves [Charged Particle Beams.] . (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



CHNE 550. Social and Ethical Issues in Nanotechnology. (1-3, [3])



CHNE 551 – 552. Problems. (1-3, 1-3 each semester Δ)



CHNE 560. Nuclear Reactor Kinetics and Control. (3)



CHNE 561. Kinetics of Chemical Processes. (3)



CHNE 563. Advanced Radiation Shielding. (3)



CHNE 564 / 464. Thermal-Hydraulics of Nuclear Systems. (3)



CHNE 568 / 468. Introduction to Space Nuclear Power. (3)



CHNE 575. Selected Topics in Material Science. (1-3, no limit Δ)



CHNE 576. Selected Topics in Aerosol Science. (3 to a maximum of 6 hours Δ)



CHNE 577 / 477. Electrochemical Engineering. (3)



CHNE 582. Inertial Confinement Fusion. (3)



CHNE 586 / 486. Statistical Design of Experiments for Semiconductor Manufacturing. (3)



CHNE 591. Practicum. (6)



CHNE 599. Master’s Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)



CHNE 610. Advanced Nuclear Reactor Theory. (3)



CHNE 699. Dissertation. (3-12, no limit Δ)



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