Nuclear Engineering and Technology

Program information
Admission requirements

Part-time studies
Degree requirements

Program information

The Nuclear Engineering graduate programs encompass the nuclear power industry from fuel manufacture to radioactive waste disposal, and the many and varied applications of radiation in industrial and medical disciplines with a strong emphasis on health physics. Typical workplace activities include fundamental and applied research, design and development of new equipment, systems and procedures, maintenance and modifications, commissioning and decommissioning of equipment and complete facilities, operation, analysis and regulatory affairs.

The master’s programs in Nuclear Engineering are comprised of the following two fields:

Nuclear Power
Radiological and Health Physics

Graduates of a master’s level degree program in Nuclear Engineering must be competent in a wide range of disciplines that impinge on the safe and reliable operation of the many and varied systems that comprise radiological equipment, nuclear power plants and related facilities. They must understand the complex interrelationships between humans, non-human biota and the physical, chemical, economic and social components of the environment. The program provides the depth and breadth of knowledge necessary for practicing professionals in nuclear engineering.

Under the guidance of a research supervisor and a multidisciplinary team of scientific and engineering faculty, students in the Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Nuclear Engineering program have the opportunity to engage in in-depth study of particular problems that emphasize theory and/or experimentation. Students in the Master of Engineering (MEng) in Nuclear Engineering program have the opportunity to upgrade and expand their skills, as well as to develop research skills. Graduates of the program will be able to use what they have learned in a variety of applications in industry, government and academia. This program of study may be course-based or project-based.

An alternate to the regular program of study leading to the MEng in Nuclear Engineering is also available at the university. This program is administered by the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE), a Canadian-based alliance of universities, nuclear power utilities, research and regulatory agencies for the support and development of nuclear education, research and development capability in Canadian universities. UNENE was created through the partnership of five Ontario universities including McMaster University, Queen’s University, Ontario Tech University, University of Waterloo and Western University.

The UNENE MEng program was designed for the working professional, providing engineers the enhanced knowledge, tools, technology and business and management skills necessary to keep them at the forefront of their profession. Courses are offered on alternate weekends, usually over a seven-week period, versus the more typical offering of semester-based, weekly lectures delivered in three-hour sessions. Courses can also be delivered using distance education tools to accommodate those students working at sites remote from the Greater Toronto Area. Additional details on the UNENE program are available at unene.ca.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Nuclear Engineering comprises the following two fields:

Nuclear Power and Energy Applications
Radiological and Health Physics

The main objective of the PhD program is to prepare graduates for a career that includes research and/or teaching in academia or industry; leadership positions that require problem solving skills with highly specialized knowledge, often in interdisciplinary fields; and the management of finances, projects and people. Graduates of the program are expected to be able to conduct independent research. Graduates of the program will be able to work in research labs in both industry and government or as academics in universities.

The seven graduate diplomas in Nuclear Design Engineering and Nuclear Technology are based on areas of specialization within the fields of Nuclear Power, and Radiological and Health Physics. The programs have been designed to accommodate the needs of personnel working in the nuclear industry and to promote an orientation toward lifelong learning, as students may choose to complete a number of these diplomas over the course of their careers. Students in the graduate diploma programs will upgrade their knowledge and skills and position themselves for transfer and/or advancement within their industry.

Diplomas are offered in the areas of Fuel, Materials and Chemistry; Health Physics; Nuclear Design Engineering; Operation and Maintenance; Radiological Applications; Reactor Systems; and Safety, Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

The UNENE Graduate Diploma in Nuclear Engineering is offered jointly between Ontario Tech University and McMaster University. The graduate diploma will allow students to broaden their knowledge and enhance their core skills without the commitment of a full master’s degree. Only four courses are required for the graduate diploma, as opposed to the 10 required in the MEng. Courses will be offered using the same model as the UNENE MEng – four alternate weekends with the option for distance education.

Admission requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements for graduate studies , applicants must meet the following program-specific requirements.

MASc and MEng in Nuclear Engineering

Completion of a four-year honours undergraduate science or engineering degree from a Canadian university, or its equivalent from a recognized institution.
Overall academic standing of at least a B (GPA: 3.0 on a 4.3 scale), with a minimum B in the last two years (four semesters) of full-time undergraduate work or equivalent, although a B+ is preferred for MASc applicants.

Close technical contact with a faculty member is an essential part of graduate education in engineering and science. Prior to being accepted into the MASc program, applicants must find a professor who specializes in their desired area of research and who is willing to act as a supervisor. In the event that the applicant cannot find a thesis supervisor, the applicant may be considered for admission into the MEng course-based option.

MEng in Nuclear Engineering - UNENE administered program

UNENE requires an honours or four‐year degree in engineering, science or mathematics and a B average or better. UNENE also considers any relevant work or research history. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

Individuals who choose to apply for admission to the university will, once their application is approved, be registered within the Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science. The master’s degree awarded by the university will be MEng with a Nuclear Engineering designation.

PhD in Nuclear Engineering

The minimum admission requirement for the PhD program is completion of an MASc-level degree in engineering from a Canadian university or its equivalent from a recognized institution.

Prior to being accepted into the program, PhD applicants must also find a professor who specializes in their desired area of research and who is willing to act as a supervisor.

Under exceptional circumstances, MASc students may transfer directly to the PhD program after completing one academic year in the MASc program if the following conditions are met:

Completion of a full master’s program of course work (five courses worth a total of 15 credits) with at least an A average.
Strong evidence of research ability.
Approval of the direct transfer by the thesis supervisor(s) and the supervisory committee. The transfer must also be approved by the graduate program director and the Dean of Graduate Studies. The faculty will usually require up to 12 additional credits of course work in the PhD program.

See the university’s policy on transferring from a thesis-based master’s to a PhD program for additional information.

General graduate diploma requirements

To be considered for admission into any of the graduate diploma programs, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in the fields of engineering, science or mathematics with a grade point average of B-minus (GPA: 2.7 on a 4.3 scale). This is one grade below that for entry into a MEng degree program.

Individuals without an undergraduate degree and who have extensive experience relevant to the chosen field of diploma studies may be considered on a case-by-case basis. For more information, see the university’s policy on non-standard applicants .

Since graduate diploma program students are not required to prepare a thesis nor major project, applicants are not required to find a supervisor. Their program advisor would be the graduate program director of the Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science.

Students who complete any of the graduate diplomas and wish to be considered for admission to the MASc or the MEng in Nuclear Engineering may have up to six of the 12 credits counted toward their master’s degree. Students who are enrolled in the graduate diploma program and wish to switch to the MASc or MEng in Nuclear Engineering may apply for admission. If an offer of admission is granted, they may be able to transfer all of their credits from the diploma program to the master’s degree. In this case, they would not receive the graduate diploma. Students who have completed the university’s MASc or MEng in Nuclear Engineering, or an equivalent program, and who wish to enrol in the graduate diploma program may transfer up to six credits toward the diploma depending on the courses they have taken in their master’s program.

UNENE Graduate Diploma in Nuclear Engineering

Individuals who choose to apply for admission to the university will, once their application is approved, be registered within the Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science. The graduate diploma will be awarded by the university.

Part-time studies

To facilitate access to all potential students, part-time studies are permitted. In particular, engineers in industry may wish to pursue the MEng program or a graduate diploma program through part-time studies. The UNENE programs are offered on a part‐time basis only.

Degree requirements

Select a program from the list below for details on degree requirements.

Programs

Master’s

Doctoral

Nuclear Engineering, PhD

Graduate Diploma