Today nuclear engineering is a dynamic and expanding field, and today's nuclear engineers contribute across a myriad of nuclear applications that improve human heath and welfare. At U.C. Berkeley, nuclear engineers are leading in research that will enable long-term sustainable and economic production of nuclear energy from fission and fusion; provide for responsible recycle and disposal of nuclear wastes; develop advanced, radiation tolerant materials for high-temperature applications; assure security by detecting illicit transfers of nuclear materials; and advance applications of nuclear methods for medical imaging and therapy.

Today nuclear energy provides over 70% of all non-fossil electricity generation in the United States, and U.S. utilities are moving forward with license applications to build some 30 new, Generation III+ advanced light water reactors to further expand this contribution. Work is underway to develop advanced fuel cycle and Generation IV reactor technologies that can consume nuclear wastes while providing economic and secure supplies of electricity, low-carbon transportation fuels, and desalinated water. New approaches for geologic disposal of residual nuclear wastes are being considered, and Berkeley is active in studying how different options can be coupled to advanced, sustainable fuel cycles.

Students studying in nuclear engineering become true multi-disciplinary specialists, and many undergraduates choose to pursue joint major degrees with mechanical, materials science, chemical, or electrical engineering. Those who graduate today enter an expanding job market in industry, national laboratories, government and academia, where one can work on problems that will have large impact on our future environment, security, health and safety. » read more