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Questions about Nuclear Engineering and/or Material Science and Engineering?

  • I know that you choose something that you enjoy doing and have talent and capable intelligence of. So throughout my whole high school career (I'm going to be a senior this fall), I've gotten the list down to two majors. Nuclear and materials. I've always been really interested in nuclear energy and the engineering behind it. However, recently I've looked more in material science and engineering and it also seems very intresting, and it is a broad major which I like. However, I can't decide between the two. I'm going to be applying to colleges soon, and want to have a set decision. So some questions I've been wondering are: Is it risky to major in nuclear science, such as the job openings and locations? If I do material science and engineering as an undergrad, would it make sense if I did nuclear engineering in grad school? Or would one degree not help out the other? Also, if there are any material engineers or nuclear engineers reading this -- what is your work environment like? Do you enjoy your job, why/why not?

  • Answer:

    Logan is correct. President Obama and Congress have not acted on nuclear, so there will likely be few new jobs in USA nuclear before 2020 and perhaps long after. Some countries will be building nuclear plants, so you can go there if you like the adventure, but your future wife may be very unhappy. I like the thorium fast breeder reactor that uses a blanket of spent fuel rods, but the experts seem far from agreed on what the best nuclear reactor designs are. Material science does not seem very glamorous, but there should be job openings very long term and in most of the cities of the world. Even better, new nuclear designs will need people good at material science. Perhaps you can find a good materials science college where you can do a minor in something nuclear. Anything nuclear will get you an advantage applying for material science jobs related to nuclear. Neil

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Hello Lola, You pretty well have it pegged. In nuclear science, you will probably make more money if you land a job. "They" will want you to live where "they" are, you have fewer choices. With the material science you have more choices of where to live, and more job opportunities,, but you may make less. There are plastics, building, petroleum, Navel,and many other choices and also nuclear. They are not so different. The core subjects are about the same for the first two years, and may give you more time for research your career. The second year you may want more electives.

Logan is correct. President Obama and Congress have not acted on nuclear, so there will likely be few new jobs in USA nuclear before 2020 and perhaps long after. Some countries will be building nuclear plants, so you can go there if you like the adventure, but your future wife may be very unhappy. I like the thorium fast breeder reactor that uses a blanket of spent fuel rods, but the experts seem far from agreed on what the best nuclear reactor designs are. Material science does not seem very glamorous, but there should be job openings very long term and in most of the cities of the world. Even better, new nuclear designs will need people good at material science. Perhaps you can find a good materials science college where you can do a minor in something nuclear. Anything nuclear will get you an advantage applying for material science jobs related to nuclear. Neil

Hello Lola, You pretty well have it pegged. In nuclear science, you will probably make more money if you land a job. "They" will want you to live where "they" are, you have fewer choices. With the material science you have more choices of where to live, and more job opportunities,, but you may make less. There are plastics, building, petroleum, Navel,and many other choices and also nuclear. They are not so different. The core subjects are about the same for the first two years, and may give you more time for research your career. The second year you may want more electives.

Logan A

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