General information
The Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Nuclear Engineering program encompasses 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 program in Nuclear Engineering is 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 MASc have the opportunity to engage in in-depth study of particular problems that emphasize theory and/or experimentation.
A current list of graduate faculty is available on the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science website.
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.
- Cumulative grade point average 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.
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 through part-time studies.
Degree requirements
The objective of the MASc program is to prepare students for careers as engineers in fields that require specialized knowledge and skills. It is expected that graduates of the program will be able to work as engineers in industry, companies and government agencies with strong research and development programs or to continue their education by pursuing a PhD degree. The objective of the MASc program is achieved through a combination of course work, supervised research, a research seminar and a research thesis. Students must complete five courses for a total of 15 credits, a non-credit seminar course and a thesis worth 15 credits. Students must successfully complete NUCL 5003G twice. MASc students must defend their research thesis in front of an examining committee.
Additional requirements
Students may take no more than one third of their courses from the undergraduate courses listed or other 4000-level courses specifically approved by the graduate program director, provided the students did not take similar courses during their undergraduate degree programs.
Students must take at least half of their graduate courses from the list of NUCL 5000-level graduate courses. Courses that are not listed but offered by other faculties at the university can only be taken for credit if first approved by the graduate program director. Courses offered by other universities can only be taken for credit if approved by the graduate program director.
Courses are offered on the basis of demand with the expectation that courses will be offered at a minimum of once every two years.
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