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Graduate

Doctoral Degree Requirements

This is a summary intended for prospective students. Official degree requirements are provided to enrolling students. Current students can find their degree requirements on the NSEHub.

Summary of Degree Requirements

Coursework

Core subjects (24 units)
Field of Specialization (36 units)
Advanced Subjects (24 units)
NSE Breadth Requirement (12 units)
Unrestricted Elective (12 units)
Communication Requirement (6 units)
Professional Perspective (annual student-selected activity)

A full subject at MIT is 12 units. 6 units is a half subject.

Academic Research

Students register for thesis research every term.

Required Milestones to Continue in the Doctoral Program

By the end of the second year: Complete all core subjects and 2 of 3 field of specialization subjects + pass the oral qualifying exam

By the end of the 5th term (not including summers): pass the thesis proposal defense.

Requirements to Complete the Doctoral Degree

  • Pass/complete all criteria above
  • Complete 3rd Field of Specialization subject
  • Complete Advanced Subjects, NSE Breadth, Communication, Elective Requirements
  • Complete Professional Perspective Requirement (annually)
  • Thesis Defense
  • Final thesis submission with approvals
Coursework Requirements

Core Subjects

  • 22.101 Applied Nuclear Physics (12 units)
  • 22.102 Applications of Nuclear Science and Engineering (seminar) (3 units)
  • 22.103 Nuclear Technology and Society (9 units)

Field of Specialization

  • Nuclear Reactor Engineering: 22.211, 22.312, and one of 22.39, 22.313, or 22.315
  • Nuclear Reactor Physics: 22.211, 22.312 and one of 22.212, 22.213, or 22.251
  • Nuclear Materials: 22.71, 3.20 and one of: 22.72, 22.73, 22.74, 22.76, 3.21
  • Fusion – Plasma Physics: 22.611, 22.62, and one of 22.63, 22.612, 22.615 or 22.67
  • Fusion Engineering: 22.611, 22.62 and one of 22.211 (neutronics), 22.71 or 22.74 (materials) or 22.312 (engineering)
  • Quantum Science and Engineering: 22.51, 8.511 and one of 22.52, 8.333, or 8.421
  • Nuclear Security and Policy: 6.3702, 22.90, + one subject by petition

Advanced Subjects

Two subjects related to the doctoral thesis topic (may be subjects outside NSE)

NSE Breadth Requirement

One or more subjects offered within the NSE Department, outside the field of specialization and thesis research.

Communication Requirement

  • 22.911 Seminar in Nuclear Science and Engineering I (3 units, Fall)
  • 22.912 Seminar in Nuclear Science and Engineering II (3 units, Spring)

Professional Perspective Requirement

Students must register for 22.913 annually, in the same term as the activity. Professional Perspective activities include presenting professional talks or posters, journal article publications, professional training, entrepreneurship activities, teaching, and participation in the Communication Lab Fellows program.

Unrestricted Elective

A class of the student’s choosing.

Doctoral Milestones

Qualifying Exams

Written Qualifying Exam (must pass by the end of the second year) consists of the three core subjects and two of the field of specialization subjects. Students are required to earn a B grade average or better.

Oral Qualifying Exam (must pass by the end of the second year) consists of an examining committee who will ask questions designed to examine the student on her/his broad knowledge within the field of specialization.

Thesis Prospectus and Defense

Each candidate shall submit and defend a brief thesis prospectus. Students defend their thesis prospectus during the second year.