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DEGREE Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, MS

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Master’s degree in nuclear engineering

As a master’s student in nuclear engineering and engineering physics, you’ll learn the principles of how radiation intersects with matter, as well as its applications in several areas of engineering physics. Our program has strong engineering and applied science components, with an emphasis on areas that include researching, designing, developing and deploying fission reactors; fusion engineering; plasma physics; radiation damage to materials; applied superconductivity and cryogenics; and large-scale computing in engineering science.

View department Graduate handbook

At a glance

Nuclear engineering and engineering physics department

Facts & stats
2
undergraduate ranking among public universities in nuclear engineering
2
graduate ranking among public universities in nuclear engineering
93
undergraduate students licensed to operate the UW Nuclear Reactor

Learn more about what information you need to apply.

Admissions

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.

Fall Deadline December 15
Spring Deadline September 1
Summer Deadline December 15
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Not required but may be considered if available.*
English Proficiency Test Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241.
Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) n/a
Letters of Recommendation Required 3
*

GRE scores are optional. Applicants may submit GRE scores, but are not required to do so. Applications without scores are not placed at a disadvantage.  However, received scores will be considered as part of our holistic evaluation of applications.

Applicant Considerations

Applicants to our program should have the following:

  1. Degree
    1. ​Bachelor of Science in engineering, mathematics, or physical science and an undergraduate record that indicates an ability to successfully pursue graduate study. 
    2. International applicants must have a degree comparable to a regionally accredited US bachelor’s degree. Review the Graduate School webpage to learn more about comparable degrees by country. 
  2. GPA​
    1. The minimum required GPA is 3.0/4.0 on the equivalent of the last 60 semester hours from the most recent bachelor’s degree or a completed master’s degree with a minimum of 3.0/4.0. 
  3. Faculty Advisor​
    1. Applicants who intend to complete a thesis are encouraged to seek out a faculty advisor as part of the application process. This may be done prior to, during, and/or after submission of the online application. (This is not a requirement.)
    2. To seek out a faculty advisor, review the department Research and People websites. Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, and Professors are eligible to be graduate advisors. Please do not contact Emeritus faculty, lecturers, Research Scientists, or Faculty Associates. 
    3. You are encouraged to inquire about possible funding opportunities. (See Funding tab in the right-side column on this page for funding information.)
    4. Applicants who intend to do a course-only degree may also seek out a faculty advisor and alternatively, they may be assigned a faculty advisor after admission.
  4. Recommended Preparatory Courses
    1. It is highly recommended applicants take courses that cover the same material as these UW-Madison courses before entering the program. 
    2. Applicants may be admitted without having taken these courses, however, in such cases the applicant must inform their faculty advisor who will then help them select the correct courses to include the required background for the program.
Differential Equations
MATH 319Techniques in Ordinary Differential Equations3
or MATH 320 Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
Advanced Mathematics
MATH 321Applied Mathematical Analysis 1: Vector and Complex Calculus3
Nuclear Physics
N E 305Fundamentals of Nuclear Engineering3
Materials Science, Metallurgy, or Solid-State Physics
M S & E 350Introduction to Materials Science3
or M S & E 351 Materials Science-Structure and Property Relations in Solids
Heat Transfer or Fluid Mechanics
CBE 320Introductory Transport Phenomena4
Mechanics
PHYSICS 311Mechanics3
or E M A 202 Dynamics

Application Materials

In addition to the items listed in the table above, a complete application includes the following uploaded to the online application. The submitted application and all application items are due by the deadline above. 

  1. Unofficial Transcripts (PDF)
    1. ​Most up-to-date unofficial transcript(s) from all previous higher education institutions, regardless of whether a degree was earned. Official transcripts are only requested of recommended applicants.
    2. International academic records must be in the original language accompanied by an official English translation. Review the minimum requirements link above to learn more. 
  2. Statement of Purpose: The University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School and the Department of Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics have the following guidelines for the Statement of Purpose:​
    1. Are you interested in pursuing the thesis or non-thesis pathway of this Master of Science program?
    2. Be specific about your interest and knowledge particular to this program:
      • Have you read an article by one or more faculty members?
      • Has your advisor specifically directed you to this program?
      • Do you have other ties to this program and/or school?
    3. Pick out the pertinent facts about your academic and professional interests that make you a good fit with the program and institution to which you are applying. (A statement of purpose is not a place to list everything you have done.)
    4. Describe research experiences regardless of whether they are related to your current interests. 
    5. Being self-motivated, curiosity-driven, and goal-oriented are important qualities for aspiring PhDs in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics. To provide evidence of these qualities, you may write about relevant experiences you have had. 
    6. Perseverance and the ability to overcome adversity are also important. Again, discuss relevant experiences you may have to provide evidence. 
    7. Mention extra-curricular achievements to illustrate additional dimensions of your personality. 
    8. Explain (briefly) any incongruity in your application material, such as a low semester grade. 
    9. Our page limit is two and a half pages, but there is no obligation to write a long statement.

    10. For more information from the Graduate School, please review their webpage. 

  3. Resume​
  4. Three Letters of Recommendation
    1. ​These letters are required from people who can accurately reflect on the applicant’s academics and/or work performance. It is highly recommended these letters be from faculty familiar with the applicant.
    2. Letters of recommendation are submitted electronically through the online application.
    3. See the Graduate School FAQs regarding letters of recommendation. 
  5. GRE Scores
    1. GRE scores are optional. Applicants may submit GRE scores, but are not required to do so. Applications without scores are not placed at a disadvantage.  However, received scores will be considered as part of our holistic evaluation of applications.
  6. Application Fee
    1. ​Application submission must be accompanied by the application fee. See the Graduate School FAQs regarding fees. 
    2. Fee grants are available through the conditions outlined here by the Graduate School.

Reentry Admissions

Review the Graduate School requirements for previously enrolled students. Contact the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics Graduate Student Services (see Contact Box for link) with questions. 

Currently Enrolled Graduate Student Admissions

Students currently enrolled as graduate students at UW-Madison wishing to apply to this degree programs should contact the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics Graduate Student Services (see Contact Box for link) to inquire about the process and deadlines. 

Questions

Contact the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics Graduate Student Services (see Contact Box for link).

Tuition

Tuition and segregated fee rates are always listed per semester (not for Fall and Spring combined).

View tuition rates

Funding

Graduate School Resources

The Bursar’s Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

Admission and funding are separate decisions. Not all admitted students are offered support. International applicants must secure a research assistantship, teaching assistantship, fellowship, or independent funding before admission is final. The funding for research assistantships comes from faculty research grants. Each professor decides on his or her own research assistantship offers. Funded students are expected to maintain full-time enrollment.  See the program website for additional information on current research activities.

Additional Resources

International Student Services Funding and Scholarships

For information regarding International Student Funding and Scholarships, visit the International Student Services website.

In the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, we strive to design and deploy unique world-class experimental and computational capabilities to translate novel discoveries into transformative technologies. Having a broad range of laboratory facilities and collaborative centers at the right scale for energy and mechanics research is a hallmark of the department. The technologies we develop can solve challenges in energy, health, space, security and many other areas.

View our research

Minimum graduate school requirements

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Curricular Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement 30 credits
Minimum Residence Credit Requirement 16 credits
Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework from nuclear engineering, math, physics, chemistry, computer science, or any other engineering department except E P D. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244.
Overall Graduate GPA Requirement 3.00 GPA required.
Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203.
Other Grade Requirements Grades of D received in any course will not be counted as satisfying degree requirements. These grades will, however, be counted in the graduate GPA. Pass/fail grades are not counted toward degree requirements. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required.
Assessments and Examinations Students who complete the thesis pathway must successfully write a thesis and defend it orally in front of a three-member committee (at least two must be members of the UW-Madison Graduate Faculty).
Language Requirements No language requirements.

Required Courses

Unless specified, all courses must be numbered 400 or above in appropriate technical areas. Appropriate technical areas are: Engineering departments (except Engineering and Professional Development), Physics, Math, Statistics, Computer Science, Medical Physics, and Chemistry. Other courses may be deemed appropriate by a student’s faculty advisor.

Nuclear Engineering Course Requirement 1
The following courses are co-requisites. These courses or those with similar material content, must be taken prior to, or during, the course of study. Students who have taken courses with a similar material content to the co-requisites listed below, must contact the NEEP Associate Chair of Graduate Studies for approval of the specific course(s).
N E 427Nuclear Instrumentation Laboratory2
N E 428Nuclear Reactor Laboratory2-3
or N E 526 Laboratory Course in Plasmas
N E 408Ionizing Radiation3-4
or N E/​MED PHYS  569 Health Physics and Biological Effects
Pathways 2
Students will select and complete either the thesis pathway or the non-thesis pathway (see pathways below).

Thesis Pathway2

Nuclear Engineering (N E) Technical Course Requirement 1
Complete minimum 8 credits N E technical courses numbered 400 or above 38
Advanced Technical Course Requirement 1
Complete minimum 9 credits technical courses numbered 500 or above9
Remaining Credits
Complete additional appropriate technical electives, research credits, independent study credits, and/or seminar credits as approved by faculty advisor.
Research Credits
Maximum of 12 credits permitted to count toward degree requirement0-12
N E 790
Master’s Research and Thesis
Independent Study Credits
Only one course (maximum 3 credits) of independent study, such as the following, is allowed.0-3
N E 699
Advanced Independent Study
Seminar Credits
Maximum 3 credits of seminar is permitted.0-3

Non-Thesis Pathway2

Note N E 790 Master’s Research and Thesis may not be used to satisfy non-thesis pathway requirements.

Nuclear Engineering Technical Course Requirement 1
Complete minimum 15 credits N E technical courses numbered 400 or above 315
Advanced Technical Course Requirement 1
Complete minimum 12 credits technical courses numbered 500 or above12
Remaining Credits
Complete additional appropriate technical electives, independent study credits, and/or seminar credits as approved by faculty advisor.
Independent Study Credits
Only one course (maximum 3 credits) of independent study, such as the following, is allowed.0-3
N E 699
Advanced Independent Study
Seminar Credits
Maximum 3 credits of seminar is permitted.0-3

Footnotes

1

Courses used to satisfy the following three degree requirements may overlap: Nuclear Engineering (N E) Technical Course Requirement, Advanced Technical Course Requirement, and Nuclear Engineering Course Requirement. 

2

These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.

3

Courses in Engineering Physics (E P) or Engineering Mechanics (E M A) do not satisfy requirement.

Graduate Student Services
neepgradadmission@engr.wisc.edu
3182 Mechanical Engineering
1513 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706

Adrien Couet, Associate Chair for Graduate Studies
couet@wisc.edu

View the Graduate Guide for program-specific information on policies, rules and regulations.
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