I'm Trying to Prepare for Nuclear Engineering

[TheNE]

Greetings, Everyone!

My name is Daniel, and I just signed up for PF today! I felt it looked really cool, and that I would be wise to collaborate with peer engineers, and seek advice from them! I am preparing to graduate from Crowder College (In Neosho, MO), a 2yr school, with a degree in Pre-Engineering. My school has their "Pre-Engineering" program set up with Missouri S&T (Formerly UMR), to prepare local students seeking an engineering degree from Missouri S&T (and now UARK- Fayetteville). This is my last semester and I am graduating in less than 2 weeks! (sooo stoked by the way) I have all summer to prepare for my upcoming studies at Missouri S&T in Nuclear Engineering, and would like to take advantage of this time I have. I am enrolled in 15 hours this coming semester, and they are as follows:

NUC ENG 105 - Intro Nuclear Eng (2 Credits)
with:Lucas Tucker

NUC ENG 205 - Fund/Nuclear Engineering (3 Credits)
with:Ayodeji Babatunde Alajo

NUC ENG 206 - Reactor Operations I (1 Credit)
with:William Bonzer

NUC ENG 221 - Reactor Fluid Mechanics (3 Credits)
with:Gary Mueller

PHYSICS 107 - Intro To Modern Physics (3 Credits)
with:John Story

STAT 213 - Applied Engineering Stat (3 Credits)
with:n/a (undetermined staff member)

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If any of you have attended Missouri S&T (or UMR under the same professors), I would really appreciate any "pointers" you could send my way. Other than that, what should I prepare my self for exactly? I have Calcus 1 - 3 experience, Differential Equations, Physics 1 - 2, Statics (I am currently performing poorly in that class), Chemistry 1 - 2, Intro to C++ (A small taste of C++), and Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting (Novice level drafting in AutoCAD). What "foundations" should I build ahead of time? I understand that "Rolla" has a notorious reputation for being a tough school (is it revered as such amongst you guys?) and want to make the transition from a small community college to it as easy as possible. Thank you VERY much for the advice, and I look forward to the day that I actually become a Nuclear Engineer!

 

[TonyG]

Greetings Daniel,

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation and enrollment in a prestigious engineering program! It sounds like you have a strong foundation in math, science, and engineering already, which will definitely be beneficial in your upcoming studies. As a nuclear engineer myself, I can offer some advice for preparing for your program and making the transition to a larger university.

First and foremost, I would recommend brushing up on your calculus skills, as it is a fundamental tool for most engineering disciplines. Additionally, familiarizing yourself with basic principles of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics would also be beneficial, as these are important concepts in nuclear engineering. You may also want to review basic principles of nuclear physics, such as radioactive decay and fission, to give yourself a head start in your introductory nuclear engineering course.

In terms of the transition to a larger university, I would suggest reaching out to current students or alumni from Missouri S&T to get a better understanding of the program and any tips they may have. You can also try to get in touch with your future professors and ask for any recommended readings or study materials that you can start reviewing over the summer. This will give you a better idea of what to expect and help you hit the ground running when classes start.

Lastly, don't be intimidated by the reputation of Missouri S&T. Yes, it is a challenging program, but with hard work and dedication, you can succeed. Remember to take advantage of resources such as tutoring, study groups, and office hours to help you with any difficult concepts. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions and seek help when needed. Your professors and peers are there to support you and help you succeed.

Best of luck in your studies and future career as a nuclear engineer!