UNDERGRADUATES

Be at the Forefront of Global Innovation

From developing sustainable energy solutions to advancing technologies for space exploration, an NSE undergraduate degree prepares you to lead in addressing the world’s most urgent challenges. 

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See Real-World Applications

MIT Admissions

High-Impact, High-Earning Careers

Nuclear Science Engineers are among the highest-earning professionals in STEM. MIT NSE graduates are equipped to take on careers that address global challenges in clean energy, healthcare, and national security.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Fission

Fission technology advancements aim to lower costs, complement renewable sources, and expand nuclear energy applications beyond electricity, all while maintaining carbon-free power generation.

Fusion and Plasmas

The sun and stars are powered by fusion: nuclear reactions that create heavier elements from lighter ones. If this energy source can be harnessed at the human scale, it has the advantages of inexhaustible fuel resources and greatly reduced proliferation and environmental concerns.

Nuclear Security and Policy

NSE is contributing to non-proliferation goals through leadership and participation in US Nuclear Regulatory Commision and National Nuclear Security Administration programs, as well as developing new detection technologies and applications of risk assessment methodologies.

Quantum Engineering

Quantum engineering develops transformative tools based on the fundamental laws of quantum physics, with applications to secure communication, fast computation, and sensitive measurements.

Materials in Extreme Environments

Materials research is critical to the development of next-generation fast fission reactors, future fusion devices, extending the life of current LWR power reactors, and safe containment of radioactive materials.

Modeling and Simulation

Exciting new developments in multi-scale and multi-physics modeling, coupled with the rapidly advancing capabilities of high-performance computers and associated algorithmic and simulation methodologies, are making it possible to simulate nuclear systems with much higher fidelity than ever before.

Nuclear Reactions and Radiation

The discovery of new, beneficial applications of radiation science and technology include applications in medical imaging, radiation-based therapy, contraband detection and investigation of the chemical and physical properties of nano- and mesoscopic systems.

Fission

Fission technology advancements aim to lower costs, complement renewable sources, and expand nuclear energy applications beyond electricity, all while maintaining carbon-free power generation.

Fusion and Plasmas

Nuclear Security and Policy

Quantum Engineering

Quantum engineering develops transformative tools based on the fundamental laws of quantum physics, with applications to secure communication, fast computation, and sensitive measurements.

Materials in Extreme Environments

Modeling and Simulation

Nuclear Reactions and Radiation

Forge Your Path to Innovation

Traditional Course 22 Degree

Build a strong foundation for a nuclear science and engineering career

The Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Science and Engineering (Course 22) is a traditional nuclear engineering degree that prepares students for practical engineering work in the nuclear-energy industry or graduate study in related technical fields. The Course 22 degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Nuclear Science and Engineering. Course 22 Program Objectives for ABET.

Flexible 22-ENG Degree

Build the NSE degree that suits you best

The 22-ENG degree program is designed to offer flexibility within the context of nuclear science and engineering applications. This program is designed to enable students to pursue a deeper level of understanding in a specific nuclear application or interdisciplinary field within nuclear science and engineering.

Course 22 Minor

Add a bit of Nuclear to your MIT degree

Students studying in another discipline can dig deeper into advanced topics within the department or to support interdisciplinary areas of interest in nuclear science and engineering.

Undergraduate First Year

First Year Undergraduates

Explore nuclear science and engineering

First Year MIT undergraduate students with an interest in nuclear science and engineering have the opportunity to participate in NSE student activities, to do research in NSE labs, and are welcome as members of our community.

UROP

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Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

Start Solving Big Problems from Day One

The UROP offers MIT students at all levels, especially freshmen, the chance to engage in cutting-edge research alongside faculty, students, and staff. Participants can earn academic credit or receive compensation while gaining hands-on experience in various research areas within the department.

Most UROP positions in NSE do not require prior experience, making them accessible to all interested MIT undergraduates. Students are encouraged to explore the NSE research sections to understand the department’s focus areas and to review the list of open UROP positions within NSE.

Explore UROP

Featured UROP Project

Determining Design Insights of Complex Systems by Extending Simulation-Based Risk Analysis

“We are leveraging an open-source reliability and risk analysis tool known as EMRALD for evaluation of complex systems such as current and advanced nuclear reactors. The GUI software is developed for the browser using tools like javascript while the simulation engine is in C++. We are looking for a UROP to explore the use of the risk simulation approach to develop ways to produce risk insights for nuclear reactor concepts. The work will focus on how to produce risk insights in a simulation framework, how to incorporate those insight approaches into the analysis platform, and how to perform post-processing on the data that is produced by EMRALD for in-depth analysis.”

Prof. Curtis Smith

Undergraduate Overview

Can I UROP as a first year?

Yes! The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) brings NSE faculty, research staff, and students together on cutting-edge research. Get hands-on experience, for credit or pay – first-year students included – NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY unless otherwise noted.

What’s the difference between the 22 and 22-ENG degrees?

The 22 Traditional (22) degree is a more traditional nuclear program, and includes a breadth of topics related to nuclear engineering occupations. The 22 Flexible (22-ENG) degree program is intended to provide the flexibility for a more interdisciplinary degree specializing in a particular application or research area, such as fusion, quantum engineering, use of radiation in the health industry, and government policy.

Is it easy to double major in Course 22?

Many students in Course 22 double major with Physics, Mechanical Engineering and Materials. The 22-ENG degree is intended to provide an interdisciplinary education experience and is well suited for double majors.

What do I need to do now to prepare for an undergraduate nuclear science and engineering degree?

We understand that nuclear science and engineering is not typically taught at the high school level. A strong background in math and physics is recommended. You can find additional information here.

What can you do with a degree in nuclear other than operate a reactor?

Students with a nuclear science and engineering degree have a wide range of options available for employment opportunities. Some examples include next generation reactor design, fusion applications, policy, detection of nuclear materials, and environmental monitoring. Nuclear engineers are some of the top earners in the engineering areas, with median pay that surpasses most or all other engineering disciplines.