Program Coordinator
Bahram Nassersharif
Distinguished University Professor
Mechanical, Industrial, and Systems Engineering
Director, Nuclear Engineering Program
Nuclear power provides carbon-free electricity across the globe, fuels cutting-edge research, and drives advancements in space travel and exploration, underwater propulsion and power, medicine, industry, and beyond. With URI’s Nuclear Engineering Minor, you’ll gain hands-on skills to harness nuclear energy’s immense potential. With outstanding job prospects in nuclear energy, defense, space exploration, and more, adding this minor can be a key advantage for your career. Be part of pioneering the future with nuclear science and technology. Learn from renowned faculty—access world-class facilities, and play your part in advancing this dynamic and consequential field.
Expert faculty mentors will guide you in applying nuclear science and engineering to tackle real-world problems. And by understanding both the incredible benefits and complex challenges of nuclear technology, you’ll be prepared to make a meaningful impact.
The Undergraduate Minor in Nuclear Engineering is satisfied by completing 18 credit hours from the required and supporting courses shown below, depending on the major discipline. At least one-half of the credits must be earned at the University of Rhode Island. The best semester to start the NUE minor is the fall of your junior year. You may also start the fall of your sophomore year if you have the prerequisites for the courses. You will need to complete the Nuclear Engineering Minor (NUE) Form and have it signed by the program director, Dr. Nassersharif. You should also consult with Dr. Nassersharif to advise and plan your class schedules.
Required Courses (18 credits)
Mechanical Engineering majors:
- MCE/CHE/NUE 471: Nuclear Reactor Engineering
- MCE/CHE/NUE 472: Power Plant System Design and Safety Analysis
- MCE/CHE/NUE 473: Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Performance
- MCE/CHE/NUE 474: Space Nuclear Propulsion and Power or
MCE/CHE 476: Materials in Nuclear Applications - MCE 401: Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design I
- MCE 402: Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design II
All other engineering majors:
- MCE/CHE/NUE 471: Nuclear Reactor Engineering
- MCE/CHE/NUE 472: Power Plant System Design and Safety Analysis
- MCE/CHE/NUE 473: Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Performance
- MCE/CHE/NUE 474: Space Nuclear Propulsion and Power or
- MCE/CHE 476: Materials in Nuclear Applications
- NUE 391: Reactor Operations I
- NUE 392: Reactor Operations II
Requirements and Procedures
Prerequisites for prospective students: Enrolled at the University of Rhode Island as a matriculated student in the College of Engineering with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
Advising of students is done by the coordination of their respective advisors for their major and Dr. Nassersharif (MCE) for the Nuclear Engineering Minor.