2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/engineering/nuclear-plasma-radiological-engineering-bs/plasma-fusion-science-engineering/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nuclear, Plasma, & Radiological Engineering with a concentration in Plasma & Fusion Science & Engineering

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 plasma and fusion science and engineering concentration focuses on plasma processing for a myriad of applications including semiconductor production and on harnessing the power of nuclear fusion. Areas of scholarship and research in which students are involved include but are not limited to:  plasma physics and fusion, plasma material interactions, plasma modeling, plasma code development, atmospheric plasma, extreme ultraviolet lithography and physical vapor deposition, plasma processing of semiconductors, fusion materials, plasma nanosynthesis, plasma sources and processing, and plasma manufacturing.  Exploration of the plasma science and fusion areas involves both computational and experimental approaches. Students are exposed to modeling and simulation and numerical analysis and computational methods as well as to hands on experiments in a physical laboratory setting. Students confer with their academic advisor on a chosen course set to ensure that a strong program is achieved. Technical electives are chosen from among NPRE courses and courses outside the department in the subfields of physical science, electrical engineering, and electronic materials. The program prepares graduates for positions in semiconductor industry, research laboratories and federal and regulatory agencies as well for further graduate study.

Current Program Educational Objectives

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nuclear, Plasma, & Radiological Engineering with a concentration in Plasma & Fusion Science & Engineering

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 Sciences | | | | 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 | | 8 | | NPRE 421 | Plasma and Fusion Science | 3 | | NPRE 423 | Plasma Laboratory | 2 | | NPRE 429 | Plasma Engineering | 3 | | Technical Electives | | 9 | | From Departmentally Approved List of Technical Electives - students are to take at least 9 hours. This includes technical electives from NPRE or from other departments in the subfields Physical Science, Electrical Engineering, or Electronic Materials. The student is to confer with their academic adviser on a chosen course set to ensure that a strong program is achieved. | | | | ES 470 | Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Sources | 3 | | 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 | | Physical Science Electives | | | | CHEM 104 | General Chemistry II | 3 | | CHEM 105 | General Chemistry Lab II | 1 | | PHYS 435 | Electromagnetic Fields I | 3 | | PHYS 436 | Electromagnetic Fields II | 3 | | PHYS 460 | Condensed Matter Physics | 4 | | Electrical Engineering Electives | | | | ECE 329 | Fields and Waves I | 3 | | ECE 340 | Semiconductor Electronics | 3 | | ECE 441 | Physcs & Modeling Semicond Dev | 3 | | ECE 444 | IC Device Theory & Fabrication | 4 | | Electronic Materials Electives | | | | MSE 304 | Electronic Properties of Matls | 3 | | MSE 403 | Synthesis of Materials | 3 | | MSE 460 | Electronic Materials I | 3 | | MSE 461 | Electronic Materials II | 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 Plasma & Fusion Science & Engineering

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.

Total Hours: 128

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nuclear, Plasma, & Radiological Engineering with a concentration in Plasma & Fusion Science & Engineering

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