Educational Programs at the
University of California at Berkeley
for Nuclear Engineering!
Professor Joonhong Ahn!
Department of Nuclear Engineering!
University of California, Berkeley!
!
International Conference Global 2011
“Toward and Over the Fukushima Daiichi Accident”
Panel III: Fostering of Personnel
8:30 – 10:30 am, December 15, 2011
Makuhari, Chiba
Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Map of Power Reactor Sites in US

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, BerkeleyUS nuclear generating capacity projected
in 1999

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Used Fuel Accumulation in US

YMR 	

capacity	

62,490 MT!
As of Dec 09!

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Yucca Mountain Repository Project is
stopped, and Blue Ribbon Commission is
discussing Future directions

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Nuclear Security & Safeguards
Issues Emerged

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Fukushima Daiichi Accident

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Internationalization

UAE, South Korea sign
nuclear deal to build plants
in the UAE, 2009!

US India Civilian Nuclear
Agreement officially signed byPresident Bush on OCT 8 2008!

Russia supports Vietnam’s nuclear
power development, 2011!

Japan-Vietnam nuclear
cooperation, 2011!

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

New Generation Nuclear Power System
Needs to be implemented in the US!

• For future nuclear power, we need tomake efforts to improve technologies,
because ….
– Safety– Security (Proliferation and Terrorism)– Radioactive Waste Disposal– Economical competitiveness– Sustainability
Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Governmental funding for fission R&D

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, BerkeleyGrowth in 2000’s

Number of Degrees in US

500
450
400
350

BS

300

MS

250

PhD

200
150
100
50
0
1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Support for Universities• Department of Energy– Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP)• Nuclear Regulatory Commission– Curricula development– Scholarship and fellowship– Faculty development

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Nuclear Energy University
Program (NEUP) by US DOE

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Programs at UC Berkeley

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

NE Faculty

PROFESSORS• Joonhong Ahn, radioactive waste management; mathematical safetyassessment of deep geologic repository; transport of radionuclides in geologic
formations• Edward C. Morse, applied plasma physics; fusion technology; microwaves• Eric B. Norman, homeland security, neutrino physics and nuclear
astrophysics (LLNL)• Per F. Peterson, heat and mass transfer; multispecies; thermal hydraulics;
nuclear reactor design and safety; radioactive waste and materials
management• Jasmina L. Vujic, advanced deterministic and stochastic numerical methods inradiation transport; biomedical application of radiation; nuclear reactor core
analysis and design
ASSISTANT PROFESSORS• Peter Hosemann, experimental nuclear material science and technology,
liquid metal corrosion, radiation effects in structural materials, characterizationof ODS alloys, low activation steels and radiation tolerant materials for use in
extreme environments
PROFESSORS in Residence• Kai Vetter, applied nuclear physics: radiation detection, biomedical research,
nuclear security (LLNL)• Ehud Greenspan, advanced reactor conception, design and analysis;
advanced nuclear fuel cycles; transmutation of nuclear waste; reactor
physics; criticality safety; boron neutron capture therapy; optimization ofradiation shields; fusion neutronics• Ka-Ngo Leung, plasma source and ion beam development for fusion; neutron
production; microelectronic fabrication; particle accelerators (LBNL)
Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

NE Faculty - Emeritus• Professors in Graduate School• Stanley G. Prussin, low-energy nuclear physics andchemistry and applications• William E. Kastenberg, risk assessment; risk
management; ethics and the development of technology;
conflict resolution (Ret. 12/31/07)• Donald R. Olander, nuclear materials; reactor fuelbehavior; hydriding of zirconium and uranium (Ret.
06/30/08)

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Student Data 2011!
• NE Majors – increase in number of undergrad (76) & grad majors(70)!
• Drop in # of freshman applications but higher acceptance rate: !
– 59 for Fall ’05!120 for Fall ’08– 83 for Fall ’06!150 for Fall ’09!

– 97 for Fall ’07!167 for Fall ’10!

!131 for Fall ‘11!

• Rise in # of graduate applications!
• Rise in # of international students!
• Further drop in % of undergrad women after severe drop in2008!
• 100% funding for graduate students - research, labs, fellowship!
• Do not have immediate employment for 100% MS/Ph.D. grads(one MS, one Ph.D. student without jobs)!
Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

UCB-NE Department Productivity!
	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  2004-­‐05	
   	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  2005-­‐06	
   	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  2006-­‐07	
   	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  2007-­‐08	
   	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  2008-­‐09	
   	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  2009-­‐10	
   	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  2010-­‐11	  Faculty	
  FTE	
  Research	
  $*	
  $/FTE*	
  

7.5	
  

7	
  

7.5	
  

6.5	
  

6	
  

6	
  

6	
  

$4,070,000	
  	
  $5,278,366	
  	
  $6,821,525	
  	
  $8,864,158	
  	
  $9,283,614	
  	
  $9,769,725	
  	
   $11,259,125	
  	
  $542,667	
  	
   $754,052	
  	
   $909,537	
  	
  $1,363,717	
  	
  $1,547,269	
  	
  $1,628,288	
  	
   $1,876,520	
  	
  Undergrads	
  

58	
  

56	
  

66	
  

62	
  

58	
  

65	
  

66	
  

Grads	
  

55	
  

56	
  

57	
  

63	
  

58	
  

65	
  

66	
  

BS	
  Degrees	
  

10	
  

8	
  

17	
  

17	
  

12	
  

13	
  

13	
  

MS	
  Degrees	
  

6	
  

8	
  

10	
  

12	
  

12	
  

13	
  

7	
  

PhD	
  Degrees	
  

4	
  

6	
  

6	
  

8	
  

8	
  

5	
  

9	
  

Total	
  Degrees	
  

20	
  

22	
  

33	
  

37	
  

32	
  

31	
  

29	
  

*includes	
  naLonal	
  lab	
  support	  Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

NE

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

80%Freshmen Admissions Take rate70%
%admitted

60%

take rate

50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Graduate Admissions

140
120

Applications

100# of UScitizens
Total Admitted

80
60
40
20
0

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Number of Students in NE Majors!
80
70
60

Undergraduates
Graduate Students

50
40
30
20
10
0

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

18
16
14
12

Number of NE Degrees
Doctoral
Masters
Bachelor

10
8
6
4
2
0

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Year (beginning fall)

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

percentage of all grads

Women & International Graduate
70
60
50

Women (including Intl.)
International (including
int'l women)

40
30
20
10
0

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Year (beginning fall semester)
Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Women in Nuclear Engineering
40
35% Undergraduate Women% Graduate Women

30
25
20
15
10
5
0

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Areas of Graduate Study
Applied Nuclear Reactions & Instrumentation!
Bionuclear and Radiological Physics!
Energy Systems and the Environment!
Ethics and the Impact of Technology on
Society!
Fission Reactor Analysis!
Fuel Cycles and Radioactive Waste!
Fusion Science and Technology!
Laser, Particle Beam, and Plasma
Technologies!
Nuclear Materials and Chemistry!
Nuclear Thermal Hydraulics!
Risk, Safety and Large-Scale Systems
Analysis!
Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

NE MS Subject Areas
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%

th
er
O

lie
d

N

uc

M
at
er
ia
ls

Re
ac
Bi
on
tio
uc
ns
/I
ns
tr
um
en
ta
tio
n

e
Cy
cl

W
as
te
/F
ue
l

em
s

sk
/S
af
et
y/
Sy
st

Ri

Ap
p

Fu
si

on
/p

la
sm
a

ph
ys
i

cs
/

io
n

Fi
s

si

on

be
am

1999-2004
2005-2010
Fall 2010

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

NE Ph.D. Subject Areas
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%

th
er
O

M
at
er
ia
ls

io
ns
/

In
st

ru
m
en
ta
tio
n

Bi
on
uc

e
W
as
t

e/
Fu
el

Cy
cl

em
s
sk
/S
af
et
y/
Sy
st

Re
ac
t

Ri

uc
N
lie
d
Ap
p

Fu
si

on
/p

la
sm
a

ph
ys
i

cs

/i

on

Fi
s

si

be
am

on

1999-2004
2005-2010
Fall 2010

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Objectives of Undergraduate
Curriculum•

to produce graduates who as practicing engineers and researchers:– 1) Apply solid knowledge of the fundamental mathematics and natural(both physical and biological) sciences that provide the foundation forengineering applications.
– 2) Demonstrate an understanding of nuclear processes, and theapplication of general natural science and engineering principles to theanalysis and design of nuclear and related systems of current and/or
future importance to society.
– 3) Have exhibited strong, independent learning, analytical and problemsolving skills, with special emphasis on design, communication, and an
ability to work in teams.
– 4) Demonstrate an understanding of the broad social, ethical, safety andenvironmental context within which nuclear engineering is practiced.
– 5) Display an awareness of the importance of, and opportunities for, lifelong learning.
Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Our graduating students
achieve nine key outcomes.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

8.
9.

The ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science andengineering to the analysis of nuclear and other systems.
The ability to identify, formulate and solve nuclear engineering problems.
The ability to design integrated systems involving nuclear and otherphysical processes.
The ability to design and perform laboratory experiments to gather data,
test theories, and solve problems.
The ability to learn and work independently, and to practice leadership andteamwork in and across disciplines.
The ability for effective oral, graphic and written communication.
A broad education necessary to understand the social, safety andenvironmental consequences of engineering decisions, and to engage
thoughtfully in public debate on technological issues.
An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
Knowledge of the importance of, and opportunities for, life-long learning.
Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Undergrad Curriculum
Freshman Year [Common First Year]
Math 1A, 1B, Calculus
Chemistry 1A (or 4A), General Chemistry
Physics 7A, Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Engin 10, Engineering Design and Analysis
Engin 7, Introduction to Applied Computing

Fall
4
4

Nuc Eng 39, Issues in Nuclear Engineering (Optional)
Reading and Composition course from List A
Reading and Composition course from List B
Sophomore Year

2
4
Fall

4
SpringMath 53-54, Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Diff. Eqns.

44

Physics 7B, 7C, Physics for Scientists and Engineers
EE 40, Introduction to Microelectronic Circuits or EE 100, Electronic
Techniquies for Engineering
Engin 45, Properties of Materials

44First and Second additional Humanities / Social Studies courses
Junior Year
Engin 115, Engineering Thermodynamics
Engin 117, Methods of Materials Analysis
Nuc Eng 101, Nuclear Reactions and Radiation
Nuc Eng 104, Radiation Detection Lab
Nuc Eng 150, Nuclear Reactor Theory

4
Fall
4
3
4

Third Additional Humanities / Social Studies course (ethics content)
Technical Electives #Senior Year
Nuc Eng 170, Nuclear Design

4

Fourth Additional Humanities / Social Studies course
Technical Electives #Spring
4
4

3
4

4
3
3
Spring

3
3

Fall

14

9
Spring3
3
9Beam and Accelerator Applications:Physics 110A/B (or EE 117), 129 A/B,
139, 142; NE 155, 180; !
Bionuclear Engineering: BioE C165;
EE 120 (EE 20N is a prerequisite forthis course), 145B; NE 107, 162; !
Fission Power Engineering: ME 106,109 (ChemE 150A may be substitutedfor ME 106 and 109); NE 120, 124,
155, 161, 167, 175; !
Fusion Power Engineering: Physics
110A/B, 142; NE 120, 180, 155; !
Homeland Security andNonproliferation: Chem 143, Physics
110A/B, 111, NE 107, 130, 155, 175; !
Materials in Nuclear Technology: MSE
102, 104, 112, 113; NE 120, 124, 155,
161; !
Nuclear Fuel Cycles and Waste
Management: ChemE 150A/B; E 120;
Energy Resources Group 151; MSE
112; NE 120, 124, 155, 161, 175; !
Radiation and Health Physics: NE 120,
155, 162, 180; Risk, Safety and !
Systems Analysis: CE 193; Chem E
150A; E 120; IEOR 166; NE 120, 124,
155, 161, 167, 175.!

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

ABET Requirements and NE Courses
CourseNE Program Outcomes
1
2
3
4
5
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X X
X
X
X
X X
X X X
X
X X
X X X
X

Math 1A, 1B, 53, 54
Chemistry 1A
Physics 7A, 7B, 7C
EE 40 (or 100)Engin 45
Engin 7
Engin 117
Engin 115
Nuc Eng 101
Nuc Eng 150
Nuc Eng 104
Nuc Eng 170
Technical Electives including courses
required for selected area ofX
specialization #Ethics course requirement
Humanities and Social Science Electives

X

6

7

8

9

X
X

X

X

X

X

X

X
X

X

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Courses Offered
NE
24
39
101
104
107
120
124
130
150
155
161
162
167
170
175
180
198
199

Undergraduate Level
Freshman Seminar
1
Issues in Nuclear Science and2Engineering
Nuclear Reactions and Radiation
4
Radiation Detection and Nuclear
3
Instrumentation Laboratory
Introduction to Imaging
3
Nuclear Materials
4
Radioactive Waste Management
3
Analytical Methods for Non
3
Proliferation
Introduction to Nuclear Reactor
4
TheoryIntroduction to Numerical
3
Simulations in Radiation Transport
Nuclear Power Engineering
3
Radiation Biophysics and3
Dosimetry
Nuclear Reactor Safety
3
Nuclear Design
3
Methods of Risk Analysis
3Introduction to Controlled Fusion
3
Group Studies for Advanced
1-4
Undergraduates
Supervised Independent Study
1-4

Graduate Level
Nuclear Reactions and Interactions of
4NormanRadiation with Matter
220 Irradiation Effects in Nuclear Materials
3
Hoseman221
Corrosion in Nuclear Power Systems
3
Hoseman224
Safety Assessment for Geological
3
Ahn
Disposal of Radioactive Wastes
225
Nuclear Fuel Cycle
3
Ahn
230
Analytical Methods for Non3
Morse
Proliferation
250
Nuclear Reactor Theory
4
Vujic
255 Numerical Methods of Reactor Analysis 3
Vujic
260
Thermal Aspects of Nuclear Reactors
4Peterson265
Design Analysis of Nuclear Reactors
3Greenspan
267
Nuclear Reactor Safety
3Peterson
275 Principles and Methods of Risk Analysis 4Peterson
280
Fusion Reactor Engineering
3
Morse
281
Fully Ionized Plasmas
3
Morse
282
Ion Source and Beam Technology
3
Leung
282L Ion Source and Beam Technology Lab
1
Leung
290G
Scientific and Regulatory Basis for3
Ahn
Environmental Protection in Nuclear
Fuel Cycle
295
Nuclear Engineering Colloquium
0298Group Research Seminar
1
299
Individual Research
1-10
201

PetersonNormanVetter
VetterHoseman
Ahn
Morse
Vujic

Peterson
Vujic
PetersonPetersonPeterson
Morse

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Professional Master of Engineering
Degree (NEW in 2011)• The objective is to develop professional engineering
leaders who understand the technical, environmental,
economic, and social issues involved in the design andoperation of nuclear engineering devices, systems, andorganizations.
• Prospective students are engineers, typically withindustrial experience, who aspire to substantiallyadvance in their careers and ultimately to lead large,
complex organizations, including governments.

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

M.Eng. Curriculum
Breadth	  (7	
  units)
Integrative	
  capstone	  (5	  units)

Technical	
  depth	  (12	
  units)

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Summary
•

•

•

•

After decades of negative feedback and declines, the nuclear
industry, federal government policies, and university enrollment
turned around.
We now need to develop innovative solutions for complicated,coupled problems of energy resources, environmental impact
reduction, nuclear security and safety, and economics, especially inpost-Fukushima situation.
To respond to such needs and situation, university needs to develop
educational programs with innovative approaches. Crossdisciplinary training is critical in the energy field. The nuclear energy
power sector should be more integrated into energy planning andevaluation across a wide range of energy technologies and systems.
Nuclear Engineering programs at UC Berkeley have been
continuously revised to meet such needs both at undergraduate andgraduate levels.
Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley