Responding to increasing demands for alternative energy sources, the Engineering School plans to add a nuclear studies minor to its undergraduate program. Although the school is still in the early stages of researching which resources will be needed to offer the minor, the program is expected to be implemented in the upcoming years.
According to Barry Johnson, Engineering School associate dean for research, interest in a nuclear studies program has been steadily increasing among faculty members during the past couple years.
"Several of our faculty have been promoting the development of a minor in nuclear industry," Barry said, noting these faculty believe the subject provides an important background for Engineering students.
Barry also added that for more than 10 years he has developed a very close relationship with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which has been strongly encouraging the Engineering School to implement a nuclear studies program for students.
"The NRC have been funding my nuclear research since 1997 ... nuclear research that specifically focuses on safety and how to improve safety in reactor control systems," he said.
According to Barry, the nuclear studies minor will be a beneficial response to the growing resurgence of nuclear power.
"The NRC are expecting nearly 30 new nuclear power plants [in the upcoming years], so there is going to be a demand for engineers who understand how power plants work," Barry said, adding that the NRC has been encouraging universities to across the country to expand their programs in nuclear education.
According to Dominion Media Relations Director Jim Norvelle, "Without a doubt the United States is going to rely on nuclear energy to continue to provide 20 percent of the nation's power for the future; but to do that, we need to build more nuclear units and if we are going to build more units, we need more nuclear engineers to fill some very important jobs."
Barry also noted that the nuclear industry is looking for engineers in various fields that understand nuclear power plants.
"So it's not necessary that you graduate large numbers of nuclear engineers," Barry said. "What we are hearing from the industry is that they would love to have engineers in various disciplines who understand nuclear technology."
This is not the first time nuclear studies have been discussed at the University, Barry said, noting that the University had a nuclear program in the past, including a nuclear reactor on Grounds for research purposes.
"We had a nuclear engineering major, and we offered a bachelors, masters and Ph.D.," Barry said.
Demand for such a program dropped among students, so the University discontinued the major and decommissioned the reactor, Barry said. Despite the implementation of the new minor, the University will not be getting another reactor, Barry added.
"We don't believe that there's any need to have one," Barry said, "and it's not something we are planning to reconsider."
Barry said opportunities like a nuclear studies minor would provide students with more career options.
Norvelle noted that "certainly good jobs will be available to those motivated students."
Before the program can be launched, Barry noted, the Engineering School needs to continue developing plans for the minor.
"This is something we are considering and something we definitely want to do, but we obviously have to work through the process of finding the resources and the courses for such a program," Barry said. "We've been collaborating with the industries and showing them what courses we would offer to make sure what we are offering is what they want. Bottom line: This is definitely something we want to do"
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