Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Safeguards Science and Technology

Eligibility & Mission

The objective of offering the Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Safeguards is to provide graduate students and professional, non-degree-seeking, students in various engineering disciplines with an opportunity to develop unique skills and expertise that will enhance their performance in jobs requiring knowledge of nuclear material protection, control and accountability.

Certificate Requirements

The graduate certificate program serves degree-seeking graduate students and also functions as a stand-alone graduate certificate program for professional, non-degree-seeking students. Both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students will be required to take four specific classes (12 credit hours) involving nuclear science, policy and safeguards.

Counting Credits

As permitted by the University Policy regarding Graduate Certificate offerings, a maximum of 6 credit hours may be counted for both degree course credit within their department and the Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Safeguards. However, total credit hours needed to complete their degrees need not exceed departmental or Graduate School requirements.

Plan of Study

Four specific classes, comprising 12 hours of course credit, are required for a student to receive this graduate certificate in nuclear safeguards:

NE 7001: Topics in Nuclear Engineering: Nuclear Safeguards Science and Technology (Same as ECE 7001)

This course provides an overview of nuclear materials management and safeguards, including physical protection systems, material accounting and control, monitoring and regulatory issues.

NE 7331: Nonproliferation Issues for Weapons of Mass Destruction

Nonproliferation and impact on technology and world events.

NE 7303: Radiation Safety

Types and origins of radiation; radiation detection and measurement; radiation interactions; shielding; dose calculations; federal, state and local regulations; and procedures for safe uses of radiation. Laboratory experiments in radiation measurements and protection.

NE 7391: Nuclear Radiation Detection

Principles and application of radiation detectors and analyzers: ionization, Geiger-Muller, proportional, liquid and solid scintillation, semiconductor, pulse height analyzers, coincidence circuits, data reduction, tracer applications, activation analysis. Lectures, laboratory.