|
|
Nuclear Engineering program
grows, ranks seventh in nation
By Luis Jiménez
Summer Reporter
An increase in the number of incoming freshman
nuclear engineering students could reflect a renewed interest in the
pursuit of nuclear engineering careers.
This year, Purdue will welcome a freshman class
of 22 nuclear engineering students — an increase of 22 from last
year. Arden Bement Jr., head of the department of nuclear engineering,
said the increase is due to renewed concerns in energy production and
to a growing interest in global warming concerns, as nuclear power generation
is an emission-free energy source.
Bement said nuclear engineering are being highly
sought by companies and federal agencies, who are often required to
fiercely compete with other companies in order to recruit knowledgeable
graduates. This has secured a 100 percent job placement for students
since 1992 and a considerable median annual earning, which according
to the Department of Labor is $71,310.
"(Job placement) is off the chart," said Bement.
"We just don't have enough graduates to satisfy the job market. Students
often receive from 50 to 100 offers from companies."
Bement said this spring the department of nuclear
engineering granted only three bachelor degrees at commencement, but
only one went out to the job market. He said the other two graduates
are hoping to continue their studies until the master's or doctoral
level because they might want to involve later in research. He said
there would be more students graduating next fall than this spring.
Although energy self-sufficiency has become a concern
in the country the few past months, especially in light of California's
energy crisis, Bement said that nuclear engineering has many other areas
students can focus on rather than nuclear power production. He said
the field has been broadening and offers other employment opportunities
for graduates beyond power generation. Nuclear engineers are specializing
in fields such as radiation science, medical radiation, fission nuclear
propulsion and plasma propulsion among others.
President Bush's national energy plan in response
to the California energy crisis, said Bement, will speed re-licensing
of reactors and licensing of new plants. He said nuclear engineers would
be needed to replace retiring engineers at existing plants.
"It's going to stimulate interest in nuclear engineering,"
said Bement regarding the ongoing energy crisis. "Funding for nuclear
research is also increasing."
He said another debated issue that is being given
a lot of attention is the management of nuclear waste. He said that
engineers will be needed to work in this area, but also the government
has been working on finding solutions to this problem. The most recent
attempt is the approval of a nuclear waste disposal plant in Nevada.
The U.S. News and World Report's most recent survey
ranked Purdue's nuclear engineering program seventh in the nation in
undergraduate research, according to Bement.
|
Renovations,
foliage help beautify campus
Dean
candidate addresses lack of leadership, needs of faculty
Nuclear
Engineering program grows, ranks seventh in nation
Economy
to have effect on corn, soy production
University
plans to construct parking facility to meet demand
Chemist
sells plastic recycling technology
Weekend
to honor John Purdue members
Tournament
raises money for research
CAMPUS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111
ext. 253
To
send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org
|
