NE B.S. vs. NE and CHEM E joint major

[ne1]

Hi,

I’m a transfer student to UC Berkeley (fall 12), coming from a community college. I am transferring as a nuclear engineering major, but I can choose to do a joint major program in chemical and nuclear engineering (core courses are taken from both majors). The reason I’m considering the joint major is that many people tell me that jobs/opportunities are rare for nuclear engineers, and having a background in chem E would open more opportunities for me.


The NE major and joint major both have these courses: 1. Nuclear Reactions and Radiation. 2. Radiation Detection and Nuclear Instrumentation Lab. 3. Nuclear Reactor Theory. 4. Nuclear Design. 5. Nuclear Power Engineering. 6. Radioactive waste management.


The Joint major would put these Chem E courses: 1. Chemical Kinetics and Reaction Engineering. 2. Transport (mass) and Separation Processes. 3. Dynamics and Control of Chem processes. 4. Chemical E Lab. 5. Physical Chem.

In place of theses NE courses: 1. Nuclear Materials. 2. Intro to Numerical simulations in Radiation Transport. 3. Intro to imaging. 4. Intro to controlled fusion. 5. Analytical Methods for non-Proliferation. 6. Nuclear Reactor Safety.

What do you think? What would be the advantages/opportunities of choosing either option?
Thanks a lot

 

[Astronuc]

I'd recommend taking Nuclear Materials. and if one wants to do core design or other analytical work, then I'd recommend Intro to Numerical simulations in Radiation Transport. Irradiation effects on materials are an important area of research, particularly with respect to lengthening service time in-core and within the primary system.

 

[raining Pete]

As a fellow transfer student, I can understand how daunting it can be to make a decision like this. It sounds like you have done your research and are considering all your options carefully, which is great.

In terms of the joint major, I think it's a smart move to consider expanding your skill set and opening up more opportunities for yourself. It's true that nuclear engineering may have limited job prospects, so having a background in chemical engineering could definitely give you an edge in the job market. Plus, the courses you listed for the joint major sound like they would complement your NE courses well and provide a well-rounded education in both fields.

However, if you have a strong passion for nuclear engineering and see yourself pursuing a career specifically in that field, then sticking with the NE major may be the better choice. It's important to follow your interests and strengths, as that will ultimately lead you to a fulfilling career.

Another advantage of the joint major is that it may give you a wider range of job opportunities and the ability to work in different industries. Chemical engineering is a broad field with applications in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and environmental engineering. This could provide more options for you in terms of job prospects and potential career paths.

On the other hand, the NE major may offer more specialized courses that could make you stand out in the job market for nuclear engineering positions. It also may provide more opportunities for research and internships in the nuclear industry.

Overall, I think both options have their advantages and it ultimately depends on your interests and career goals. I would recommend talking to advisors and professionals in both fields to get a better understanding of the job market and potential career paths for each option. Good luck with your decision!