Additional Information
A bachelor's degree from an accredited engineering program is required
for entry-level engineering jobs.
Two years are spent on basic sciences (math, physics and chemistry), introductory
engineering and the humanities, social sciences and English. Most courses
concentrate on one branch of engineering in the final two years.
Graduate training is essential for engineering faculty positions, but not
required for the majority of entry-level engineering jobs.
A course in nuclear facilities operations at the University of California
at Berkeley enables students to learn in detail how a nuclear power plant
works.
In teams of five students, they run the full-scale simulator through startup
and emergency shutdown scenarios. Jasmina Vujic teaches the course and says
students also learn about the major operation and safety systems -- learning
how they work first-hand.
"Take all the science and math classes that you can get," says Brad Olson.
He is a project engineer with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. "You'll need
that background for whatever type of engineering you eventually choose."
Madeline A. Feltus is assistant professor of nuclear engineering at Pennsylvania
State University. She says it's important to get a college degree in nuclear
and mechanical engineering.
"But be sure to take the time during a co-operative program to go out to
the power plants during your studies. It makes the stuff in the senior year
easier. Also, it's good for the resume and job hunting."