Why Nuclear Engineering?

Recent concerns about CO2 emissions and other environmental impacts of fossil-fired power plants and the country's continued dependence on foreign oil has created a renewed interest in nuclear power generation and overall demand for nuclear power. And the United States isn't alone in recognizing the value of nuclear power. As energy consumption continues to grow, many countries, especially those in Asia with growing economies and increasing energy demands, are turning to nuclear power as a dependable supply for their energy needs.

Although nuclear power plants are what many people think of when it comes to nuclear engineering, there are an increasing number of nuclear engineers in a variety of fields, including medicine, manufacturing, agriculture, security and more. The U.S. Department of Energy has begun channeling funds into the nuclear industry, to support students of nuclear engineering and to furnish programs with state-of-the-art equipment.

Nuclear Engineering Today

• The nuclear engineering program at Penn State is ranked fifth in the nation
• According to estimates by the Nuclear Energy Institute, 35 percent of the workforce at the nation's more than 100 nuclear power plants will reach retirement by the end of 2012.
• Additional studies also indicate that even if the U.S. does not construct any reactors, the nation will still need to graduate hundreds of additional nuclear scientists and engineers each year to fill the gap.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

Many nuclear engineers work in private and governmental research and development laboratories. Some teach in colleges and universities. Other engineers are employed in nuclear power plants and in factories that make nuclear equipment. Still others may work primarily in design engineering or designing and developing new devices to generate nuclear power.

More career opportunities:

• Utility companies
• Government energy and defense agencies
• National laboratories
• Nuclear plant designing firms 
• Other private companies