College of Engineering

Richard M. Wabrek, Interim Dean
Professors Campo, Naidu, Neill, Robinson, Smedley, Stephens, Wilson
Associate Professors Moore, Stuffle
Assistant Professors Leung, Mc Whirter, Rao, Sadid
Adjunct Faculty Imel, Larson, Lineberry, O'Brien, Pumphrey, Smart
Adjunct Faculty Caffrey, Sisson

Doctor of Philosophy in Nuclear Science and Engineering

The doctoral program administered by Idaho State University is tailored to the individual needs and background of the student. The detailed program of study for each Ph.D. student is formulated in consultation with an advisory committee which takes into consideration the objectives and preparation of the candidate. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is granted for proven ability and scholarly attainment and must include recognized ability for independent investigation. Since it is a research degree, it is not granted solely on the completion of a certain number of credits, and therefore, there are no fixed credit requirements for the degree. Credits for the dissertation and the research on which it is based shall comprise a substantial portion of the program and will involve original and/or creative work.

Requirements

Graduate School and College of Engineering requirements for admission include submission of application form and fee, transcripts, and results of GRE and TOEFL examinations. Approval by the College of Engineering and Graduate School depends on undergraduate and graduate GPA and GRE and TOEFL scores (for foreign students) as well as other considerations, as appropriate.

An advisory committee consisting of Idaho State University graduate faculty with the majority from the College of Engineering will be established for each student upon entry into the program. This committee will guide the student in establishing a program of course work and laboratory study based upon the results of the qualifying examination and personal interview. The program will ensure the student has adequate knowledge in each of the following areas as they apply to Nuclear Science and Engineering. These areas constitute the basic core curriculum associated with the degree.

  1. Nuclear Science including among other aspects, reactor core design, fuel management, interaction of radiation with matter, etc.
  2. Waste management and environmental concerns.
  3. Heat transfer and fluid flow including two phase flow.
  4. Kinetics and control systems.
  5. Safety and regulations.
The qualifying examination normally taken during the first year will cover all of the above areas as well as the background material in physics, mathematics and engineering needed as a foundation in these areas. The program of study required by the advisory committee to remove deficiencies found in the qualifying examination may be completed by taking formal course work offered by Idaho State University or another qualified institution, or it may be completed by self study or experience. If completed by the latter two means, that portion of the qualifying examination indicating deficiencies must be repeated.

Rather than requiring competence in a foreign language, the advisory committee will require the candidate to prepare a special paper which will consist of a literature search and research proposal. The topic covered should be distinctly different from the proposed doctoral dissertation research topic. The paper will be evaluated by the advisory committee prior to the general examination (which will be devoted to the proposed dissertation topic).

The program will normally require the equivalent of three years of full-time study beyond the master's degree, including research and preparation of the dissertation. The research and preparation of the dissertation must be done under the close supervision of the advisory committee to ensure that the equivalent of one full year of work for the degree is performed under Idaho State University graduate faculty.