Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering

Onstead College of Science and Engineering

ACU’s Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering prepares students to take on pioneering leadership roles in the growing field of nuclear energy. With access to the first NRC-approved molten salt research reactor, master’s and Ph.D. students participate directly in groundbreaking research that solves real-world problems related to energy, water and medicine.

students conducting research in the next lab.
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Master’s Programs

We offer two master’s degrees in Nuclear Science and Engineering.

  • The master of science (M.S.) is ideal for students aspiring to doctoral studies, careers in academic research or specialized industry R&D roles.
  • The master of engineering (M.Eng.) is designed for professionals seeking to enter or advance rapidly into leadership roles within industry, utilities, regulatory bodies and engineering firms in the nuclear sector.

Ph.D. Program

Students who want to go even further in their research in nuclear science can pursue a Ph.D. in Nuclear Science and Engineering. Graduates are equipped to solve complex challenges in the fields of clean energy, national security, radiation safety and advanced reactor design.

Impactful Research Through the NEXT Lab

next lab image.

Nuclear science and engineering students have hands-on research opportunities through ACU’s molten salt research reactor program. The NEXT Lab on ACU’s campus is home to the first-ever liquid salt reactor licensed by the NRC.

Through access to this state-of-the-art facility, students can conduct research in a variety of areas, including: 

  • Advanced reactor design
  • Reactor physics
  • Molten salt reactor technology
  • Nuclear materials
  • Radiation transport and shielding
  • Computational modeling
  • Nuclear data and uncertainty analysis
  • Nuclear security and nonproliferation
  • Reactor licensing and regulatory science
  • Thermal hydraulics
  • Radiation detection and measurement