Ph.D.

The PhD in Engineering with an emphasis in Nuclear Engineering requires 48 credit hours of coursework and 18 hours of dissertation. Students take the departmental core courses (listed below) and choose additional courses to meet the 48 hour requirement in consultation with their faculty advisor.

Core courses include:

  • NE 501: Graduate Seminar (required every semester up to 3 semesters for MS students, up to 6 semesters for PhD students) (1 cr)
  • NE 525: Methods of Analysis in Chemical and Nuclear Engineering (3 cr)
  • Two of the following courses: NE 511, NE 520, NE 524, NE 564, or NE 571
  • NE 510: Nuclear Reactor Theory (required for those students who do not have the equivalent completed in Nuclear Reactor Theory) (3 cr)

Students who already possess a Master’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering may, with the permission of their faculty advisor and NE advisor, apply up to 24 hours of Master’s level coursework (taken at UNM or elsewhere) to the 48 credit hour requirements.

PhD students must pass a written Comprehensive Exam.

Approaching the conclusion of the degree, students must notify the Senior Academic Advisor prior to the beginning of their final semester. At least two weeks prior to the thesis defense, students submit an Announcement of Exam (form is located under "Examination/Grades"). The completed thesis must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies by their final deadline. The deadline is published on the Office of Graduate Studies calendar.

This is intended as a quick overview of degree requirements. Consult the UNM Catalog, our student forms page, and Graduate Studies website for more information.