Nuclear Engineering

General information

The four-year honours Bachelor of Engineering in Nuclear Engineering program was designed to meet a worldwide need for graduates in the field of nuclear engineering. Although the primary focus of the program is nuclear power plant engineering, the curriculum is sufficiently broad-based that graduates will be well qualified for careers in many applications of nuclear technology and energy related fields.

The first two years of study provide students with a solid foundation in the fundamentals of mathematics and sciences, with Years 3 and 4 concentrating on engineering sciences and specific nuclear engineering courses.

Students who choose Nuclear Engineering and Management  take two semesters of business and management courses after successfully completing third year. The regular fourth year of the engineering program is then taken in the fifth year of the program.

Learning takes place in a variety of settings including lectures, tutorials, field visits, laboratories and via computer simulation – the most extensive computer simulation of nuclear power plants of any engineering program in Ontario.

Senior Engineering Science and Design electives may be taken from other programs in the engineering and science faculties and the Health Physics and Radiation Science program. This program includes liberal arts and complementary studies through business, social sciences and humanities. Upper-year courses in economics, ethics and law, and strategic management are also included. Students develop management, interpersonal, problem-solving, and holistic thinking skills while gaining a comprehensive knowledge of nuclear engineering science and design, as well as the latest developments in this field.

Admission requirements

Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications.

Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U) with a minimum average of 60 per cent, Advanced Functions (MHF4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Chemistry (SCH4U), and Physics (SPH4U). In addition, a combined minimum 70 per cent average in math and science courses is required, with no grade below 60 per cent. All other applicants should refer to admissions  for the requirements for their specific category of admission.

Work placement/internship opportunities

Optional work placement opportunities will be available. A 12- to 16-month optional Internship program is also available for students completing the third year of the program. Students must have a minimum CGPA of 2.3 to be eligible.

Professional designation

The undergraduate Nuclear Engineering program is designed to meet the requirements of the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board. Each graduate is eligible to apply for licensing as a professional engineer (PEng) in any province or territory in Canada.

Program details and degree requirements

To be eligible for an honours Bachelor of Engineering degree in Nuclear Engineering, students must successfully complete 144 credit hours, including all courses outlined in the following program map.

Although reasonable efforts will be made to adhere to the following program map, course requirements and term offerings may change. For the most up-to-date list of course offerings, please visit the faculty website at nuclear.ontariotechu.ca.

Year 1 (36 credit hours)

• ​Liberal Studies elective*
• COMM 1050U – Technical Communications
• MATH 1010U – Calculus I
• MATH 1850U – Linear Algebra for Engineers
• PHY 1010U – Physics I
• ENGR 3200U – Engineering Graphics and Design
• CHEM 1800U – Chemistry for Engineers
• ENGR 1200U – Introduction to Programming for Engineers
• ENVS 1000U – Environmental Science
• MATH 1020U – Calculus II
• NUCL 1530U – Radiation and Nuclear Technologies
• PHY 1020U – Physics II

Year 2 (36 credit hours)

• ELEE 2790U – Electric Circuits
• MANE 2220U – Structure and Properties of Materials
• MATH 2860U – Differential Equations for Engineers
• NUCL 2500U – Introduction to Nuclear Physics
• NUCL 2860U – Fluid Mechanics
• ESNS 2140U – Problem Solving, Modelling and Simulation
• NUCL 2010U – Thermodynamic Cycles
• NUCL 2950U – Radiation Protection
• NUCL 3820U – Nuclear Reactor Kinetics
• SSCI 1470U – Impact of Science and Technology on Society
• STAT 2800U – Statistics and Probability for Engineers

• One of:

• MATH 2070U – Numerical Methods or
• MATH 2810U – Advanced Engineering Mathematics

Year 3 (36 credit hours)

• Complementary Studies elective*
• NUCL 3740U – Scientific Instrumentation
• NUCL 3930U – Heat Transfer
• NUCL 4640U – Nuclear Plant Operation
• RADI 3570U – Environmental Effects of Radiation
• ESNS 3380U – Strength of Materials
• Liberal Studies elective*
• ENGR 3360U – Engineering Economics
• NUCL 4730U – Reactor Control
• NUCL 4610U – Corrosion for Engineers
• NUCL 4780U – Nuclear Reactor Design
• ESNS 3750U – Integrated Engineering Laboratory

Year 4 (36 credit hours)

• Engineering Science elective*
• BUSI 3700U – Strategic Management for Professionals
• NUCL 4625U – Radioactive Waste Management Design
• NUCL 4700U – Nuclear Plant Design and Simulation
• NUCL 4994U – Capstone Design I
• ESNS 4660U – Risk Analysis Methods
• Engineering Design elective*
• ENGR 4760U – Ethics, Law and Professionalism for Engineers
• NUCL 4460U – Nuclear Power Systems
• NUCL 4525U – Nuclear Plant Safety Design
• NUCL 4810U – Nuclear Fuel Cycles
• NUCL 4998U – Capstone Design II

*Electives

Engineering Science and Engineering Design electives

Engineering Science and Engineering Design electives must be approved by the dean of the Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science or a designate. Please visit nuclear.ontariotechu.ca to view the list of approved electives.

Engineering courses from other engineering programs may be allowed as engineering electives, provided the students have the prerequisites and/or greater breadth in a complementary field. These courses must be approved by the Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science.

Complementary Studies electives

The dean of the faculty or a designate must approve courses selected for the Complementary Studies elective. Courses in the arts and humanities or business typically are allowable as a complementary elective. Please visit nuclear.ontariotechu.ca to view the list of approved electives.

Liberal Studies electives

The dean of the faculty or a designate must approve courses selected for the Liberal Studies electives. Please visit nuclear.ontariotechu.ca to view the list of approved electives