What do nuclear engineers do? They harness the strongest forces of nature to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges: expanding clean energy, diagnosing and curing diseases, traveling to distant planets, and reducing the risk of nuclear weapons. 

Our nuclear engineering curriculum will prepare you to launch your career through in-depth, application-based teaching on everything from core fundamentals to the newest technologies. Whether you’re interested in nuclear systems, fusion plasma, radiation sciences (or all three) you can select from a broad range of course offerings that meet your interests. Throughout your entire academic journey, you will be supported by our close-knit learning community of students and professors that care about your success. 

Learn more about some of the major applications of nuclear and fusion technologies:

• Generating reliable, clean energy

Nuclear energy is the largest source of clean electricity in the United States. Most nuclear engineers design, build, and operate nuclear power plants—today based on fission of uranium, but in the future, based on fusion of hydrogen. With no greenhouse gas emissions, nuclear energy is a reliable and predictable partner in decarbonizing our economy along with other sources of clean electricity, like wind, solar, and hydro. The impact of nuclear energy will only continue to grow as new technologies are deployed to remove carbon emissions from industrial processes like hydrogen production, water desalination, and steel manufacturing.

• Powering deep-space exploration

Today’s rovers on Mars are powered by nuclear power sources and tomorrow’s spacecraft will need nuclear power to transport humans far into space. Nuclear engineers build radioisotope thermal generators that provide nonstop power with no moving parts to deep-space probes and planetary vehicles, allowing missions that last for many years. Nuclear space propulsion cuts the travel time to other planets by months and surface power ensures reliable energy once the spacecraft lands. 

• Diagnosing and curing diseases

With radiation from man-made radioisotopes and particle accelerators, we can diagnose and treat cancer and other diseases. Nuclear engineers in the radiation sciences design systems to generate radioactive tracers that can be injected into patients to pinpoint tumors, stress fractures, and cardiac diseases, while others build accelerators that deliver radiation precisely to diseased tissue while avoiding sensitive organs. Talk to your academic advisor about declaring the Radiation Sciences option. Students must have, and are expected to maintain, a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

• Detecting nuclear weapons

Using advanced radiation detection systems, we can seek out explosives and nuclear weapons being smuggled in shipping containers. Nuclear engineers combine radiation detectors with machine learning and artificial intelligence to not only see objects through thick shields, but also determine the composition of the items inside. 

What You Will Learn

Our curriculum starts with an Introduction to Nuclear Engineering course designed for first-year students to learn about a variety of technical nuclear topics and also to engage with some societal challenges. Later on, the curriculum focuses on the deepest physics and math concepts in the College of Engineering to prepare our graduates for careers in a field with constantly evolving technologies based on the newest scientific discoveries. We transition from these fundamentals to more applied topics in radiation transport, thermal systems, plasma physics, materials science, imaging, and detectors, while students build skills in computational modeling and simulation. 

All of our students also take at least one course that offers hands-on experience with the UW Nuclear Reactor, a rare academic resource. Students also have the opportunity to become a licensed operator and apply for employment in the reactor laboratory. Students in the Fusion Plasma focus area will take courses in the rich UW–Madison fusion and plasma physics curriculum. Students in the Radiation Sciences option will complete their degree with graduate courses from the internationally recognized Medical Physics program. This interdisciplinary degree program overlaps with other engineering disciplines, allowing our graduates to transition into a variety of industries and careers. 

How You Will Succeed

Starting in your first year, our small class sizes will help you get to know your peers and your professors in a supportive learning community that cares about your success. Many students participate in undergraduate research across our research portfolio—one of the biggest in the College of Engineering. Our faculty collaborations with well-established companies in nuclear and fusion technology, high-tech startups, and national laboratories across the country—providing a rich professional network that helps students find internships and launch their careers.

How to Get in

Admission to the College as a First-Year Student

Students applying to UW–Madison need to indicate an engineering major as their first choice in order to be considered for direct admission to the College of Engineering. Direct admission means that students get to start their college career in the engineering program of their choice and have access to engineering-specific resources and facilities. Students who are directly admitted need to meet progression requirements at the end of the first year to guarantee advancement in that program.

Current UW-Madison Students (Cross-Campus Transfer to Engineering)

Off-Campus Transfer to Engineering

With careful planning, students at other accredited institutions can transfer coursework that will apply toward engineering degree requirements at UW–Madison. Off-campus transfer applicants are considered for direct admission to the College of Engineering by applying to the Office of Admissions with an engineering major listed as their first choice. Those who are admitted to their intended engineering program must meet progression requirements at the point of transfer or within their first two semesters at UW–Madison to guarantee advancement in that program. Transfer admission to the College of Engineering is selective. A minimum of 30 credits in residence in the College of Engineering is required after transferring, and all students must meet all requirements for their engineering major. 

The College of Engineering has dual degree transfer agreements with select four-year UW System campuses and a transfer agreement with Madison College. Eligible students in COE's transfer agreements automatically meet progression at the point of transfer.

Off-campus transfer students are encouraged to discuss their interests, academic background, and admission options with the Transfer & Academic Program Manager in the College of Engineering: ugtransfer@engr.wisc.edu.

Second Bachelor's Degree

The College of Engineering does not accept second undergraduate degree applications. Second degree students might explore the Biological Systems Engineering program at UW–Madison, an undergraduate engineering degree elsewhere, or a graduate program in the College of Engineering.

Radiation Sciences Declaration

Talk to your academic advisor about declaring the Radiation Sciences option. Students must have and are expected to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

University Requirements

All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later. 

Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.

Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements

University General Education Requirements

Requirements	Detail
Civics & Perspectives	3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework.
Communication & Literacy	6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement
Humanities & Arts	6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework.
Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning	6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement
Natural Science & Wellness	Complete both: 6 credits of Natural Science & Wellness or Natural Science & Wellness + Laboratory coursework. one course must be in Natural Science & Wellness + Laboratory coursework.
Social & Behavioral Science	3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework.
Total Credits	30 credits.

For more information see the policy.

University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements

All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.

University General Education Requirements

Requirements	Detail
Total Degree	120 degree credits.
Residency	Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and: is offered by UW-Madison and completed on the UW-Madison campus or at an approved off-site location, or is offered by UW-Madison in an online or distance format, or is completed during participation in a UW-Madison study abroad/study away program.
Quality of Work	Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program.
Math	Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: placing above MATH 96, successfully completing MATH 96 at UW-Madison, or transferring the equivalent of MATH 96 or a more advanced mathematics course from another institution (content such as MATH 112, 114, 211, 221, 222, 234).
English Language	If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by: earning credit for ESL 118 at UW-Madison, or achieving a qualifying MSN-ESLAT placement test score.
Language	Complete one: 2 high school units of a single language other than English, or one course with the second semester Language designation.
Major Declaration	Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major.

College of Engineering Degree Granting Programs’ Common Requirements 

The College of Engineering departments collaborated and adopted a common set of guidelines in their degree granting program (major) requirements. Engineering departments incorporate specific coursework within their curricula to meet these guidelines. Students should refer to specific coursework detailed below the Summary of Requirements.

College of Engineering Degree Granting Programs’ Common Requirements 

University General Education Requirements

Requirements	Detail
Communication	All College of Engineering majors require two levels of communication coursework: Engineering Communication 1: one course with the Communication A designation or satisfaction of Communication A based on eligible UW Placement Score. Engineering Communication 2: each major specifies one course (e.g. INTEREGR 397) which also carries the Communication B designation.
Quantitative Reasoning	All College of Engineering majors require a math sequence that incorporates two levels of quantitative reasoning.
Humanities or Literature	All College of Engineering majors require a minimum of 6 credits with the Humanities or Literature breadth designations. See major Liberal Studies Electives Requirement below.
Social Sciences	All College of Engineering majors require a minimum of 3 credits with the Social Sciences breadth designation. See major Liberal Studies Electives Requirement below.
Natural Sciences	All College of Engineering majors require specific coursework that incorporates a minimum of 6 credits with the Biological, Natural, or Physical Science breadth designations.
Ethnic Studies	All College of Engineering majors require at least one course of at least 3 credits with the Ethnic Studies designation. This course may also be used to satisfy the Social Sciences or Humanities or Literature requirement.

Nuclear Engineering, BS Curriculum

The nuclear engineering curriculum emphasizes nuclear power and is appropriate for students seeking careers in the nuclear power industry.

There is also a Radiation Sciences option available for students interested in medical and other non-power applications.

This curriculum applies to students admitted to the degree program this Guide academic year. Curricular requirements for students admitted in previous semesters are available in the Archive section of Guide.

Summary of Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Mathematics and Statistics		22
Science		13
Engineering Science		27
Nuclear Engineering Core		23
Nuclear Engineering Focus Area		15
Technical Electives		2
Introduction to Engineering		3
Communication Skills		8
Liberal Studies Elective		16
Total Credits		129

Mathematics and Statistics

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
MATH 221	Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1	5
MATH 222	Calculus and Analytic Geometry 2	4
MATH 234	Calculus--Functions of Several Variables	4
MATH 320	Linear Algebra and Differential Equations	3
MATH 321	Applied Mathematical Analysis 1: Vector and Complex Calculus	3
STAT 324	Introduction to Statistics for Science and Engineering	3
Total Credits		22

Science

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Choose from the following courses:		5-9
CHEM 109	Advanced General Chemistry
or
CHEM 103 & CHEM 104	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II
PHYSICS 202	General Physics	5
or PHYSICS 208	General Physics
PHYSICS 241	Introduction to Modern Physics	3
or PHYSICS 205	Modern Physics for Engineers
Total Credits		13-17

Engineering Science

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
E M A 201	Statics	3
E M A 202	Dynamics	3
E M A 303	Mechanics of Materials	3
E P 271	Engineering Problem Solving I	3-4
or COMP SCI 220	Data Science Programming I
M S & E 350	Introduction to Materials Science	3
M E 231	Geometric Modeling for Design and Manufacturing	3
M E 361	Thermodynamics	3
E C E 376	Electrical and Electronic Circuits 1	3
Choose one of the following courses:		3
E M A/​E P  471	Intermediate Problem Solving for Engineers
or COMP SCI 412	Introduction to Numerical Methods
or E P 476	Introduction to Scientific Computing for Engineering Physics
Total Credits		27-28

¹

PHYSICS 321 Electric Circuits and Electronics is an acceptable substitute for E C E 376 Electrical and Electronic Circuits.

Nuclear Engineering Core

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
N E 305	Fundamentals of Nuclear Engineering	3
N E 405	Nuclear Reactor Theory	3
N E 408	Ionizing Radiation	3
N E 412	Nuclear Reactor Design	5
N E/​M S & E  423	Nuclear Engineering Materials	3
N E 424	Nuclear Materials Laboratory	1
N E 427	Nuclear Instrumentation Laboratory	2
N E 571	Economic and Environmental Aspects of Nuclear Energy	3
Total Credits		23

Nuclear Engineering Focus Areas

Choose one of the following two focus areas.

Nuclear Systems Focus Area

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Nuclear Systems Engineering Core
Complete the following courses:		9-11 credits
CBE 320	Introductory Transport Phenomena	4
or
M E 363 & M E 364	Fluid Dynamics and Elementary Heat Transfer
N E 411	Nuclear Reactor Engineering	3
N E 428	Nuclear Reactor Laboratory	2
Nuclear Systems Engineering Electives
Choose from the following courses:		6 credits
N E 234	Principles and Practice of Nuclear Reactor Operations	4
N E/​M S & E  433	Principles of Corrosion	3
N E 505	Nuclear Reactor Analysis	3
N E/​MED PHYS  506	Monte Carlo Radiation Transport	3
M E/​N E  520	Two-Phase Flow and Heat Transfer	3
N E/​E C E/​PHYSICS  525	Introduction to Plasmas	3
N E/​E C E/​PHYSICS  527	Plasma Confinement and Heating	3
N E/​E C E  528	Plasma Processing and Technology	3
N E 536	Feasibility of Fusion Power Plants based on Controlled Nuclear Fusion	3
N E 541	Radiation Damage in Metals	3
N E 545	Materials Degradation in Advanced Nuclear Reactor Environments	3
N E 550	Advanced Nuclear Power Engineering	3
N E 555	Nuclear Reactor Dynamics	3
N E/​M E  565	Power Plant Technology	3
N E/​MED PHYS  569	Health Physics and Biological Effects	3-4
N E/​I SY E  574	Methods for Probabilistic Risk Analysis of Nuclear Power Plants	3
N E 602	Special Topics in Reactor Engineering	3

Students are encouraged to access the online N E future course offering grid to plan their future course schedules and to confirm the offering of a course in the table. 

Fusion Plasma Focus Area

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Fusion Plasma Core
Complete the following courses:		12 credits
PHYSICS 322	Electromagnetic Fields	3
N E/​E C E/​PHYSICS  525	Introduction to Plasmas	3
N E 526	Laboratory Course in Plasmas	3
Complete one of the following courses		3
N E/​E C E/​PHYSICS  527	Plasma Confinement and Heating
N E 536	Feasibility of Fusion Power Plants based on Controlled Nuclear Fusion
Fusion Plasma Engineering Electives
Choose from the following courses:		3 credits
N E 411	Nuclear Reactor Engineering	3
N E/​M S & E  433	Principles of Corrosion	3
N E/​MED PHYS  506	Monte Carlo Radiation Transport	3
N E/​E C E/​PHYSICS  527	Plasma Confinement and Heating	3
N E/​E C E  528	Plasma Processing and Technology	3
N E 536	Feasibility of Fusion Power Plants based on Controlled Nuclear Fusion	3
N E 541	Radiation Damage in Metals	3
N E 545	Materials Degradation in Advanced Nuclear Reactor Environments	3
N E/​M E  565	Power Plant Technology	3
N E/​I SY E  574	Methods for Probabilistic Risk Analysis of Nuclear Power Plants	3
N E 602	Special Topics in Reactor Engineering	3

Technical Electives

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Choose from the following courses:		2 credits
N E 1	Cooperative Education Program
N E 699	Advanced Independent Study
Courses numbered 300+ in the CoE except for E P D/INTEREGR
Courses numbered 300+ in MATH, PHYSICS, COMP SCI, STAT (except STAT 301), ASTRON, MED PHYS, and CHEM departments
Students may also propose any class that they feel will benefit their education path with pre-requisite of two physics or calculus classes. For these courses the advisor will review the request and if approved, recommend a DARS substitution.

Introduction to Engineering

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
N E 231	Introduction to Nuclear Engineering	3
Total Credits		3

Communication Skills

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Engr Comm 1
Choose from the following courses:
INTEREGR 156	Introduction to Writing, Speaking, and Ethics for Engineers	3
or ENGL 100	Introduction to College Composition
or LSC 100	Science and Storytelling
or COM ARTS 100	Introduction to Speech Composition
or ESL 118	Academic Writing II
Presentations Course
INTEREGR 275	Technical Presentations	2
Engr Comm 2
INTEREGR 397	Engineering Communication	3
Total Credits		8

Liberal Studies Electives

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Complete liberal studies electives according to CoE Requirements		16
Total Credits		16

For information on credit load, adding or dropping courses, course substitutions, pass/fail, auditing courses, dean's honor list, repeating courses, probation, and graduation, see the College of Engineering Official Regulations.

Named Option

Talk to your academic advisor about declaring the Radiation Sciences option. Students must have and are expected to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Honors in Undergraduate Research Program

Qualified undergraduates may earn an Honor in Research designation on their transcript and diploma by completing 8 credits of undergraduate honors research N E 489 Honors in Research, including a senior thesis. Further information is available in the department office.

Learning Outcomes

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Four-Year Plan

Sample Four-Year Plan

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
CHEM 1091	5	E M A 201	3
MATH 221	5	MATH 222	4
Engr Comm 1	3	M E 231	3
Liberal Studies Elective	3	M S & E 350	3
		N E 231	3
	16		16
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
MATH 234	4	MATH 320	3
PHYSICS 202	5	PHYSICS 241 or 205	3
E M A 2022	3	M E 361	3
STAT 3243	3	E M A 3032	3
INTEREGR 275	2	N E 424	1
		Liberal Studies Elective	3
	17		16
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
N E 305	3	N E 405	3
MATH 321	3	N E 408	3
E P 271	3	CBE 320 or PHYSICS 322NS, FP	3
Technical Elective	2	E P/​E M A  471	3
Liberal Studies Elective	4	E C E 3764	3
	15		15
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
N E 411 or 525NS, FP	3	N E 412	5
N E 427	2	N E 428 or 526NS, FP	3
N E/​M S & E  423	3	N E 571	3
Nuclear Engineering ElectiveNS, FP	3	Nuclear Engineering ElectiveNS, FP	3
Liberal Studies Elective	3	Liberal Studies Elective	3
INTEREGR 397	3
	17		17
Total Credits 129

¹

It is recommended that students take CHEM 109 Advanced General Chemistry for 5 credits. However, depending on their high school chemistry experience, students may substitute CHEM 103 General Chemistry I and CHEM 104 General Chemistry II for a total of 9 credits. 

²

After completing E M A 201 Statics, students may take E M A 202 Dynamics and E M A 303 Mechanics of Materials in either order or concurrently.

³

STAT 311 Introduction to Theory and Methods of Mathematical Statistics I or STAT 424 Statistical Experimental Design are acceptable substitutes.

⁴

PHYSICS 321 Electric Circuits and Electronics is an acceptable substitute for E C E 376 Electrical and Electronic Circuits.

NS

Students who choose the Nuclear Systems Focus Area are required to complete CBE 320, N E 411, N E 428 and two Nuclear Systems Electives. 

FP

Students who choose the Fusion Plasma Focus Area are required to complete PHYSICS 322,N E/​E C E/​PHYSICS  525,N E 526, either N E/​E C E/​PHYSICS  527or N E 536 and one Fusion Plasma Elective. 

Advising and Careers

Advising

Engineering Career Services

Accreditation

Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Nuclear, Radiological, and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Program Educational Objectives for the Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering 

We recognize that our graduates will choose to use the knowledge and skills that they have acquired during their undergraduate years to pursue a wide variety of career and life goals, and we encourage this diversity of paths. We anticipate graduates will begin their careers in fields that utilize their knowledge, education and training in the interaction of radiation with matter as it applies to power generation, health and medical physics, security and safeguards and other engineering fields.  

Whatever path our graduates choose to pursue, our educational objectives for the nuclear engineering program are to allow them to: 

1. Exhibit strong performance and continuous development in problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, and communication, initially applied to nuclear engineering, and demonstrating an unwavering commitment to excellence.
2. Demonstrate continuing commitment to, and interest in, their training and education, as well as those of others.
3. Transition seamlessly into a professional environment and make continuing, well-informed career choices. 
4.  Contribute to their communities. 

Note: Undergraduate Student Outcomes, number of degrees conferred, and enrollment data are made publicly available at the Nuclear Engineering Undergraduate Program website. (In this Guide, the program's Student Outcomes are available through the "Learning Outcomes" tab.)