Undergraduate

Overview

The Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences (NERS) is home to 21 faculty members and averages 160 students with enrollment on the rise. Our ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Engineering program provides students with skills and tools necessary for industrial, medical, governmental and environmental applications of nuclear processes and radiation.

Because of its breadth and flexibility, our undergraduate program in Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences should be considered by several different groups of students:

• Those who wish to obtain a BSE degree and then seek employment in challenging and a socially relevant field such as energy, medicine or national security
• Those preparing for graduate study in nuclear engineering or related fields
• Those who are seeking very broad technical backgrounds and who hope to make their careers in research and development, particularly after further study at the graduate level.

The tight community within the department provides our students endless opportunities to excel in a cooperative atmosphere. One such opportunity is research, either for pay or academic credit. We believe that engaging in research as an undergraduate student is a very important part of the Michigan experience, and many of our third- and fourth-year undergraduate students are actively involved and have co-authored papers in scientific journals.

Our students also take advantage of the quality and diversity of programs at Michigan to broaden their horizons and explore other fields of study. NERS is joined by ten other top-ten departments in Michigan, and the University of Michigan boasts highly-ranked schools in Natural Resources, Public Health, Medicine, Law and Business.

Students are encouraged to explore course sequences or collaborative programs in these other areas. Alternatively, with a solid background in math, science and engineering principles, students often consider these complementary fields for future graduate or professional study.

Career Pathways

Most NERS graduates who join the workforce after earning BSE degrees find employment in industry, government or health care.

Others earn MS or PhD degrees, not only in nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, but in a variety of disciplines such as medicine, law and health physics. The strong math and physics background of nuclear and radiological engineers ensures that they are well prepared for graduate programs in diverse fields.

Many of our alumni go on to assume leadership roles, building on their strong backgrounds in fundamental engineering analysis, teamwork and communication skills. Learn more about NERS career opportunities.