Requirements and Policies
Each NERS graduate student focuses on one of four areas, with the option to specialize in scientific computing or mathematics as well. Students are encouraged to design their own program of study in consultation with their graduate advisor, taking into account their specific backgrounds and professional goals.
For requirements common to all NERS Graduate Degree Programs see this PDF document. For additional requirements based on your research area, jump to your specialization.
Fission Systems and Radiation Transport | Materials & Radiation Effects | Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion | Radiation Measurements and Imaging
Checklists
- Master’s degree checklist (docx)
- Doctoral degree checklist (docx)
Academic Probation and Dismissal Policy
Fission Systems and Radiation Transport
Graduate student guide (PDF): Includes sample schedules, relevant cognates and relevant mathematics classes. Students should work with their graduate advisor to design a program of study appropriate to their background and goals.
Ph.D. Candidacy Exam
- Prior to taking the written candidacy exam, students should declare themselves to be in one of two “tracks”: “fission-transport” (“Fission-TR”) or “fission-thermal-hydraulics” (“Fission-TH”).
Fission Transport (FT): Written candidacy exam includes questions based on more advanced material from NERS 543, 551, and 561
Fission Thermal Hydraulics (TH): Written candidacy exam includes questions based on material from NERS 444 and 547
The remaining questions will be the same for all students and will test basic fission-option material from the following five NERS courses: 441, 444, 462, 551, and 561.
Mathematics Courses
Master’s or Ph.D. students are expected to continue studying mathematics at the graduate level. Many 500 and 600 level NERS courses require significant mathematical knowledge, including advanced calculus, boundary value problems, Laplace and Fourier transforms, complex variables, numerical methods, and computer programming. The following courses may be relevant.
- MATH 417, 419, 454, 471, 555, 571-572
- AOSS 555 (Spectral Methods)
- EECS 451 (Digital Signal Processing and Analysis)
- EECS 501 (Probability and Random Processes)
- EECS 502 (Stochastic Processes)
- IOE 511 (Continuous Optimization Methods)
- IOE 515 (Stochastic Processes)
Additional Cognate Courses
A number of 400 and 500 level courses offered by other departments are relevant to fission systems and radiation transport. These courses include AEROSP 523 and 623 (Computational Fluid Dynamics I and II), AOSS 532 (Radiative Transfer), and BIOMEDE 464 (Inverse Problems). Students are encouraged to review current course listings in the Michigan Engineering and Graduate School bulletins and consult with NERS faculty regarding upcoming course offerings.
Relevant NERS courses (credits)
- 421 Nuclear Engineering Materials (3)
- 425 Applications of Radiation (4)
- 441 Nuclear Reactor Theory l (4)
- 442 Nuclear Power Reactors (4)
- 444 Thermal-hydraulics for Nuclear Systems (3)
- 462 Reactor Safety Analysis (3)
- 515 Nuclear Measurements Lab (4)
- 521 Radiation Materials Science I (3)
- 524 Nuclear Fuels (3)
- 531 Nuclear Waste Management (3)
- 543 Nuclear Reactor Theory II (3)
- 544 Monte Carlo Methods (2)
- 546 Thermal Fluids for Nuclear Reactor Safety Analysis (3)
- 547 Computational Fluid Dynamics for Nuclear Appl (3)
- 551 Nuclear Reactor Kinetics (3)
- 554 Radiation Shielding Design (4)
- 561 Nuclear Core Design and Analysis I (3)
- 644 Transport Theory (3)
Materials & Radiation Effects
Graduate student guide (PDF): Includes sample schedules, relevant cognates and relevant mathematics classes. Students should work with their graduate advisor to design a program of study appropriate to their background and goals.
PhD Candidacy Exam
In the Materials option, the candidacy examination covers topics in NERS: 521, 522, 524, 622; Physics 463; MATSCIE: 532, 535, 560 and graduate level mathematics. Additional material may be included, depending on the students’ fields of research.
Two-Year Dual Masters with Materials Science and Engineering
Graduate students who seek a career primarily in materials research and development will need adequate background in both materials science and nuclear engineering and radiological sciences. It is assumed that most students will subsequently seek a Ph.D. degree. For these students, a dual master’s degree in NERS and MATSCIE is recommended.
Double Degree Rules:
(a) The rules of the Graduate School for dual degrees permit a reduction of the credit hours by one-sixth of the sum of the credit hours required by the two master’s programs. Hence a minimum of 50 credit hours is required for the present dual degree program.
(b) NERS requirements: Refer to NERS graduation requirements.
(c) MATSCIE requirements: At least 20 course credit hours in MATSCIE (500 level courses and above – no research) and 10 credit hours (home department).
Prerequisites:
(a) In NERS, same as for any master’s candidates.
(b) In MATSCIE
MATSCIE 350 (4) or equivalent
MATSCIE 330 (3) or equivalent
MATSCIE 470 (3) or equivalent
Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion
Graduate student guide (PDF): Includes sample schedules, relevant cognates and relevant mathematics classes. Students should work with their graduate advisor to design a program of study appropriate to their background and goals.
PhD Candidacy
Required courses:
- NERS 471 Introduction to Plasmas
- NERS 515 Nuclear Measurements Laboratory
- NERS 571 Intermediate Plasma Physics I
- NERS 572 Intermediate Plasma Physics II
- NERS 575 Plasma Generation and Diagnostics Lab
The written candidacy exam in the plasmas and fusion area covers plasma courses through the 500 level.
Radiation Measurements and Imaging
Graduate student guide (PDF): Includes sample schedules, relevant cognates and relevant mathematics classes. Students should work with their graduate advisor to design a program of study appropriate to their background and goals.
Other Master’s Degree Option Requirements
In addition to the department’s general requirements, the Measurements option recommends the following specific courses:
- NERS 515 Nuclear Measurements Lab
- NERS 518 Advanced Radiation Measurements and Imaging
- NERS 441/543 or NERS 551 Nuclear Reactor Theory I / II or Nuclear Reactor Kinetics
- NERS 535 Detection Techniques for Nuclear Nonproliferation
- NERS 590 Nuclear Safeguards (odd-numbered years)
Electives
- EECS 501 or equivalent, Probability and Random Processes
- EECS 423 Solid-State Device Laboratory
- EECS 451 Digital Signal Processing & Analysis
- EECS 458 BioMed Instrumentation & Design
- EECS 564 Estimation, Filtering, and Detection
Graduate Courses in Radiological Health Option
- NERS 484 Radiological Health Engineering Fundamentals
- NERS 584
Radiation Biology
- NERS 531 or NERS 585 Nuclear Waste Management or Transportation of Radioactive Materials
- EHS 550 Introduction to Occupational and Environmental Health
- NERS 554 Radiation Shielding
- NERS 544 Monte Carlo Methods
- NERS 425 Application of Radiation (lab)
- NERS 481 Engin. Princ. of Rad. Imaging
- NERS 580 Comp Proj. Rad. Imaging
Elective Recommendations
- EECS 516 Medical Imaging Systems
- NERS 579 Physics of Diagnostic Radiology
- NERS 586 Applied Radiation Measurements Lab
- NERS 555 Radiological Physics and Dosimetry
- NERS 581 Radiation Therapy Physics
- NERS 583 Radiological Dose Assessment and Response
Ph.D. Candidacy Exam
In the Nuclear Measurements option the written examination covers topics in:
- Basic atomic and nuclear physics
- Interaction of radiation with matter
- Basic electrical circuits
- Radiation detection and measurement
- Probability, counting statistics, and uncertainty analysis
- Digital methods and general computer architectures
Although the material on the written examination is primarily drawn from topics covered in courses such as NERS 425, 481, 515, 518, and 535, a fundamental understanding of radiation physics, mathematics, quantum mechanics, and electrical engineering has been found to be essential in successfully tackling this exam. Students intending to perform research in the radiological health engineering or medical physics areas may request a written exam focused in this topic.
Garnette Roberts
Senior Graduate Program Coordinator
Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences
garnette@umich.edu
(734) 615-8810
1916 Cooley Building