2026-2027 Course Catalog
Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/engineering/nuclear-plasma-radiological-engineering-bs/radiological-engineering-radiological-medical-instrumentation-applications/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nuclear, Plasma, & Radiological Engineering with a concentration in Radiological, Medical & Instrumentation Applications
Nuclear, plasma, and radiological engineering encompasses a broad and diverse but complimentary set of engineering disciplines with a wide variety of applications. The first two years of the NPRE curriculum provides a strong foundation in sciences (physics, mathematics, and chemistry), in engineering (mechanics and thermodynamics), in computer use, and in nuclear energy systems. Most of the technical core and concentration coursework takes place in the third and fourth years of the curriculum. Students choose from among three concentrations: power, safety and the environment; plasma and fusion science and engineering; and radiological, medical and instrumentation applications. Each concentration requires students acquire a depth of understanding of the area but with flexibility to develop advanced technical expertise depending upon the student’s specific educational and professional interests. Students demonstrate proficiency in the engineering design process in a senior design capstone course.
The radiological, medical and instrumentation applications concentration encompasses the intersection of radiation technologies, medicine, and security. This area focuses on developing science and engineering techniques that utilize ionizing radiation for biomedical research and healthcare as well as nuclear safeguards and radiation detection for homeland security. Areas of scholarship and research in which students are involved include but are not limited to: biomedical imaging, radiation detection and measurement systems, emerging x-ray imaging techniques, image processing, instrumentation for emission tomography (PET and SPECT), spectroscopy, dosimetry, homeland security, nuclear safeguards, nonproliferation, radiation protection during radiation therapy, big data analytics for radiation sensor networks, health physics, advanced thermal neutron detectors, and isotope identification algorithms. Students confer with their academic advisor on a chosen course set to ensure that a strong program is achieved. Students may select technical electives in the life sciences (chemistry, biology) to apply towards pre-med requirements. Technical electives are chosen from among NPRE courses and courses outside the department in the subfields of biomolecular and biomedical engineering. The program prepares graduates for positions in industry, research laboratories, federal and regulatory agencies, as well for medical programs and further graduate study.
Current Program Educational Objectives
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nuclear, Plasma, & Radiological Engineering with a concentration in Radiological, Medical & Instrumentation Applications
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 128 hours.
Minimum Overall GPA: 2.0
Minimum Technical GPA: 2.0
TGPA is required for NPRE 200 and NPRE 247. See Technical GPA to clarify requirements.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Composition I | | 4-6 | | Advanced Composition | | 3 | | Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | | 6 | | Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by CHEM 102, PHYS 211, PHYS 212 | | | | Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by ECON 102 or ECON 103 and any other course approved as Social & Behavioral Sciiences | | | | Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | | 6-10 | | fulfilled by MATH 220 or MATH 221; and MATH 231, MATH 241, MATH 285, PHYS 211, PHYS 212; and CS 101 or CS 124 | | | | Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | | 0-15 |
Orientation and Professional Development
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | ENG 100 | Grainger Engineering Orientation Seminar (External transfer students take ENG 300.) | 1 | | NPRE 100 | Orientation to NPRE | 1 | | Total Hours | | 2 |
Introductory Economics Elective
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | ECON 102 | Microeconomic Principles | 3 | | or ECON 103 | Macroeconomic Principles | | | Total Hours | | 3 |
Foundational Mathematics and Science
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | CHEM 102 | General Chemistry I | 3 | | CHEM 103 | General Chemistry Lab I | 1 | | MATH 221 | Calculus I (MATH 220 may be substituted. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus. 4 of 5 credit hours count towards degree.) | 4 | | MATH 231 | Calculus II | 3 | | MATH 241 | Calculus III | 4 | | MATH 257 | Linear Algebra with Computational Applications | 3 | | MATH 285 | Intro Differential Equations | 3 | | PHYS 211 | University Physics: Mechanics | 4 | | PHYS 212 | University Physics: Elec & Mag | 4 | | Total Hours | | 29 |
Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering Technical Core
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | CS 101 | Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci (CS 124 may be taken instead of CS 101.) | 3 | | ECE 205 | Electrical and Electronic Circuits | 3 | | ME 200 | Thermodynamics | 3 | | ME 310 | Fundamentals of Fluid Dynamics | 4 | | or TAM 335 | Introductory Fluid Mechanics | | | NPRE 200 | Mathematics for Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering | 2 | | NPRE 247 | Modeling Nuclear Energy System | 3 | | NPRE 321 | Introduction to Plasmas and Applications | 3 | | NPRE 330 | Materials in Nuclear Engineering | 3 | | NPRE 349 | Introduction to NPRE Heat Transfer | 2 | | NPRE 441 | Radiation Protection | 4 | | NPRE 445 | Interaction of Radiation with Matter | 4 | | NPRE 449 | Nuclear Systems Engineering and Design | 3 | | NPRE 451 | NPRE Laboratory | 3 | | NPRE 455 | Neutron Diffusion & Transport | 4 | | NPRE 458 | Design in NPRE | 4 | | TAM 210 | Introduction to Statics (TAM 211 may be taken instead of TAM 210. The extra hour may be applied towards the Professional Concentration Area electives.) | 2 | | TAM 212 | Introductory Dynamics (PHYS 325 may be taken instead of TAM 212 for students pursuing the PHYS minor.) | 3 | | Total Hours | | 53 |
Professional Concentration Area
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Required Courses | | 5 | | NPRE 435 | Radiological Imaging | 3 | | NPRE 452 | Advanced Radiological Science Lab | 2 | | Technical Electives | | 12 | | From Departmentally Approved List of Technical Electives - students are to take at least 12 hours. This includes technical electives from NPRE or from other departments in the subfields Biomolecular Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. The student is to confer with their academic adviser on a chosen course set to ensure that a strong program is achieved. | | | | CHEM 104 | General Chemistry II | 3 | | CHEM 105 | General Chemistry Lab II | 1 | | CHEM 232 | Elementary Organic Chemistry I | 3 or 4 | | CHEM 233 | Elementary Organic Chem Lab I | 2 | | IB 150 | Organismal & Evolutionary Biol | 4 | | IB 151 | Organismal & Evol Biol Lab | 1 | | MCB 150 | Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life | 4 | | MCB 151 | Molec & Cellular Laboratory | 1 | | NPRE 199 | Undergraduate Open Seminar (May be repeated in separate terms to a maximum of 2 times.) | 1 | | NPRE 201 | Energy Systems | 2 or 3 | | NPRE 398 | Special Topics | 1 to 4 | | NPRE 461 | Probabilistic Risk Assessment | 3 or 4 | | NPRE 481 | Writing on Technol & Security | 3 or 4 | | NPRE 498 | Special Topics | 1 to 4 | | STAT 400 | Statistics and Probability I | 4 | | Biomolecular Engineering Electives | | | | BIOE 120 | Introduction to Bioengineering | 1 | | BIOE 414 | Biomedical Instrumentation | 3-4 | | or CHBE 472 | Techniques in Biomolecular Eng | | | CHEM 232 | Elementary Organic Chemistry I | 3 or 4 | | MCB 450 | Introductory Biochemistry | 3 | | MCB 401 | Cellular Physiology | 3 | | or BIOP 401 | Introduction to Biophysics | | | Biomedical Engineering Electives | | | | BIOE 120 | Introduction to Bioengineering | 1 | | CHEM 232 | Elementary Organic Chemistry I | 3 or 4 | | ECE 380 | Biomedical Imaging | 3 | | BIOE 414 | Biomedical Instrumentation | 3-4 | | or CHBE 472 | Techniques in Biomolecular Eng | | | BIOE 415 | Biomedical Instrumentation Lab | 2 | | ECE 480 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | 3 or 4 | | MCB 250 | Molecular Genetics | 3 | | MCB 252 | Cells, Tissues & Development | 3 | | MCB 401 | Cellular Physiology | 3 | | or BIOP 401 | Introduction to Biophysics | | | MCB 402 | Sys & Integrative Physiology | 3 | | Total Hours | | 17 |
Free Electives
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Additional course work, subject to the Grainger College of Engineering restrictions to Free Electives, so that there are at least 128 credit hours earned toward the degree. | | 11 | | Total Hours of Curriculum to Graduate | | 128 |
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nuclear, Plasma, & Radiological Engineering with a concentration in Radiological, Medical & Instrumentation Applications
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence. The curriculum sequence can also be viewed via dynamic and static curricular maps, which include prerequisite sequencing.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements. One of the SBS courses must be an introductory economics course (ECON 102 or ECON 103). NPRE 481 will satisfy a technical elective requirement in the Professional Concentration Area and the Campus General Education Advanced Composition requirement. If NPRE 481 is not selected, a separate Advanced Composition course must be taken.
Free Electives: Additional course work, subject to the Grainger College of Engineering restrictions to Free Electives, so that there are at least 128 credit hours earned toward the degree.
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| NPRE 100 | 1 |
| MATH 221 (MATH 220 may be substituted) | 4 |
| ENG 100 | 1 |
| Composition I or Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| CHEM 102 | 3 |
| CHEM 103 | 1 |
| General Education course (Choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation) | 3 |
| 17 | |
| Total Hours 17 |
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 101 (CS 124 may be substituted) | 3 |
| MATH 231 | 3 |
| PHYS 211 | 4 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) or Composition I | 4 |
| ECON 102 or 103 | 3 |
| 17 | |
| Total Hours 17 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| NPRE 200 | 2 |
| MATH 241 | 4 |
| PHYS 212 | 4 |
| TAM 210 (TAM 211 may be substituted) | 2 |
| General Education course (choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation) | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 |
| 17 | |
| Total Hours 17 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| NPRE 247 | 3 |
| MATH 285 | 3 |
| ME 200 | 3 |
| TAM 212 (PHYS 325 may be substituted) | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| NPRE 321 or 330 | 3 |
| MATH 257 | 3 |
| NPRE 445 | 4 |
| TAM 335 (ME 310 may be substituted) | 4 |
| General Education course (choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation) | 3 |
| 17 | |
| Total Hours 17 |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| NPRE 349 | 2 |
| NPRE 451 | 3 |
| NPRE 455 | 4 |
| ECE 205 | 3 |
| Technical Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| NPRE 330 or 321 | 3 |
| NPRE 435 | 3 |
| NPRE 449 | 3 |
| NPRE 452 | 2 |
| Technical Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 |
| 16 | |
| Total Hours 16 |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| NPRE 441 | 4 |
| NPRE 458 | 4 |
| Technical Elective course | 3 |
| Technical Elective course | 3 |
| 14 | |
| Total Hours 14 |
Total Hours: 128
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nuclear, Plasma, & Radiological Engineering with a concentration in Radiological, Medical & Instrumentation Applications
Learning Outcomes
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- Identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
- Advanced mathematics applied to nuclear engineering concepts.
- Transport and interaction of radiation with matter.
- Atomic and nuclear physics, quantum mechanics.
- Computational solutions.
- An ability to apply the engineering design process to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration for public health and safety, and global, cultural, social, environmental, economic, and other factors as appropriate to the discipline.
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- Develop and conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- Measure nuclear and radiation processes specifically.
- Analyze and interpret data, using engineering judgement to draw conclusions from experimental data.
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- 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.
- Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities.
- Make informed judgements.
- An ability to recognize the ongoing need to acquire new knowledge, to choose appropriate learning strategies, and to apply this knowledge.
- An ability to function effectively as a member or leader of a team that establishes goals, plans tasks, meets deadlines, and creates a collaborative and inclusive environment.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nuclear, Plasma, & Radiological Engineering with a concentration in Radiological, Medical & Instrumentation Applications
Nuclear, Plasma, & Radiological Engineering Website\ Nuclear, Plasma, & Radiological Engineering Faculty
The Grainger College of Engineering Admissions\ The Grainger College of Engineering