CAREERS IN NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
Nuclear Engineering is the branch of engineering that focuses on the application of sub-atomic processes to develop new ways to enhance human life and protect our environment. The Department of Nuclear Engineering at UT offers two major areas of concentration, traditional nuclear engineering and radiological engineering.
Traditional nuclear engineering provides most of the career opportunities for nuclear engineering graduates. Nuclear fission power plants now provide twenty percent of the electricity for the United States. The percentage is even higher in several other countries ( France, Belgium, Japan, and Taiwan). Nuclear power is recognized as essential for countries competing in the modern world. Lessons learned from the first stage of nuclear plant construction and operations are now driving the development of new ultra-safe, economical power plant designs. Nuclear engineering graduates contribute to this progress through careers with electric utilities, plant manufacturers, architect- engineering firms, national laboratories and engineering service companies.
Fusion power is also being pursued in order to tap the unlimited potential of thermonuclear energy for producing electricity. This is a very difficult problem which will take many years to solve, but success will provide tremendous benefits to society. Graduate nuclear engineers contribute to this effort in research teams at national laboratories and universities.
Ionizing radiation is and always has been a natural part of our environment. However, modern technology results in high concentrations of radioactivity in certain locations. The public must be protected by containment, isolation and shielding. The branch of nuclear engineering that deals with this problem is called radiological engineering or health physics. Nuclear engineering graduates serve this need in all branches of science, industry and medicine where radioactive materials are involved.
Like most activities that enhance the quality of life, nuclear-related activities result in waste. Since nuclear waste can be hazardous for a long time, special care is required in its handling and storage. The absolute volume of nuclear waste is small, but the effort needed to deal with it properly is large. Many nuclear engineering graduates concentrate on handling, packaging, transporting and disposal of nuclear wastes.
Radiation-related techniques have been used in medicine for a long time. We are all familiar with the benefits and dangers of X-rays. New radiation-related medical systems are among the fastest growing components of the health care industry. Health care is also benefiting from a whole new class of miracle machines which involve radiation and its measurement. Examples are PET (positron emission tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Nuclear engineers will find new and challenging opportunities in this rapidly expanding field.