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Research Opportunities
Research Facilities
About the Radiation Health Physics Program
About the Nuclear Engineering Program
About Radiochemistry
Department Financial Support
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Research Opportunities |
Current areas of research interest in Nuclear Engineering are oriented toward advanced power reactor development, thermal hydraulics, numerical methods and analysis and neutron scattering. Specific areas include nuclear reactor engineering, experimental and thermal hydraulics, nuclear power generation, reactor physics, nuclear criticality safety, radiation transport computational methods development, nuclear waste management, in-core fuel management, nuclear instrumentation, radioisotope production, radiation shielding, space nuclear power, research reactor utilization and development, and materials investigations using neutron beams.
Areas of research interest in Radiation Health Physics include environmental health physics, radioactive material transport, research reactor health physics, radiation detection methods, instrumentation development, radiation shielding, environmental monitoring and assessment, radiation dosimetry, emergency response planning, and high-and low-level waste management.
Current research in the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Health Physics covers a wide range of topics including:
- Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics
- Advanced Thermal-Hydraulic Research Laboratory
- Multi-Application Small Light Water Reactors (MASLWR) Test Facility
- Nuclear Reactor Systems Design
- Numerical Methods
- Research Reactor Operations and Management
- Radiation Instrumentation Development
- Radiochemistry
- Uncertainties in Environmental Dose Assessments
- Handford-Related Issues
- Radioecological Benchmarks
- Radiography
- Emergency Response
- Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analyses
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Research Facilities at a Glance
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1.1 MW TRIGA Mark II Pulsing Research Reactor - a water-cooled, swimming pool type of research reactor which uses uranium/zirconium hydride fuel elements in a circular grid array. The reactor is licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to operate at maximum steady state power of 1.1 MW, and can also be pulsed up to a peak power of about 3000 MW. The reactor has a variety of irradiation facilities available. We are one of only 21 universities to have a reactor.
ATHRL - Advanced Thermal Hydraulic Research Facilities. Incorporates three facilities: Advanced Plant Experiment (APEX), a three story test facility that assess the safety systems of Westinghouse’s next generation of nuclear power plants (AP600, APEX-CE, and AP1000), Air-water Test Loop for Advanced Thermal-hydraulic Studies (ATLAS), and Multi-Application Small Light Water Reactor (MASLWR), a Generation IV design concept. ATHRL offers excellent opportunities for student research and training in instrumentation, quality assurance, safety, operations, and nuclear and mechanical design.
Advanced Nuclear Instrumentation Development Laboratory - A team of about a dozen professors, graduate students, and undergraduates work on varied projects at Oregon State in support of the development of novel radiation detection systems. The Advanced Nuclear Instrumentation Development Laboratory is directed by Professor David Hamby with funding sources including the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the Department of Energy, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Projects include research and development of application-specific multi-layer phoswich detectors, customized digital signal processing electronics, customized graphical-user interface software, neural networks for enhanced beta spectroscopy, simultaneous beta and gamma spectroscopy systems, beta and gamma dosimetry measurement systems, data uncertainty utilization, and hot-particle dosimetry.
Other Labs and Facilities - Radiochemical Analytical Laboratory with radio-HPLC- and radio-LC-IS-MS/MS systems; Cobalt-60 Gamma Irradiator; Neutron Radiography Facilities; Gamma and Alpha Spectrometry Facilities; Radiological Instrument Calibration Facilities; Liquid Scintillation Counting Systems; Thermoluminescent Dosimetry Systems; large inventory of radiation detection instrumentation; student computer laboratory; student nuclear instrumentation laboratory; and wet chemistry laboratories. |
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About the Radiation Health Physics Program (RHP)
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The RHP program prepares students for professional careers in the field of radiation protection. Employment opportunities in the field include: federal, state, and local environmental protection agencies; medical care facilities; nuclear reactor sites; academia, national laboratories; and private consulting.
At the master’s degree level, we offer the research-based degree of Master of Science (MS) or the professional degree of Master of Health Physics (MHP). Our doctoral program focuses on a strong independent research component and prepares students for careers in many facets of radiation protection academia and research. The doctoral program has a requirement of three-quarters residency at OSU, and all potential doctoral students must obtain a commitment for mentoring from an active faculty member prior to being accepted into the doctoral program. We currently have active research programs in environmental health physics, radiation instrumentation development, risk analysis, radiation dosimetry, and emergency response planning. |
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About the Nuclear Engineering Program (NE)
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Nuclear engineers design, build and operate complex systems involving radiation and/or radioactive materials. Employment opportunities in the field include: nuclear utilities; reactor and nuclear fuel vendors; national laboratories; academia, federal agencies (NASA, DOE, NRC, etc.) and private consulting.
At the master’s degree level, we offer the research-based degree of Master of Science (MS) or the professional degree of Master of Engineering (MEng). Our doctoral program focuses on a strong independent research component and prepares students for careers in many facets of nuclear science research and development. We currently have active research programs in thermal fluidics, design of advanced reactors, nuclear reactor safety, nuclear reactor physics, computational methods for radiation transport, nuclear techniques for materials characterizations, radiation instrumentation development, nuclear fuel materials, radioisotope power sources, non-proliferation technologies and medical radioisotope production.
For our graduate courses and their descriptions, please click here. |
Current areas of research interest in Nuclear Engineering are oriented toward advanced power reactor development, thermal hydraulics and numerical methods and analysis. |
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About Radiochemistry
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Radiochemistry is an interdisciplinary applied science that explores both the radioactive and chemical characteristics of elements and compounds to address technical needs in many areas, including nuclear material science, waste treatment and disposal, environmental and biomedical applications, etc.
Radiochemistry is a research program option available to graduate students in Nuclear Engineering or Radiation Health Physics. If you are interested in learning more about OSU's Radiochemistry Program, please click here. |
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Department Financial Support
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The department offers a limited number of Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Research Assistantships (RA) for applicants. We do our best to provide TA/RA funding for those students requesting support.
Funding Deadline and Requirements
-- Application materials must include the following:
- Two online applications (OSU and Department)
- Transcripts from all schools attended after high school
- Statement of Purpose
- Three recommendations (preferably academic and/or professional)
- Standardized Test Scores (GRE(General Test) and TOEFL)
-- Applicants who wish to receive early funding consideration must have all application materials submitted by February 15th.
-- TA/RA positions will be offered first to applicants who have met the February 15th deadline.
NOTE: February 15th is the early funding deadline. Applicants can still apply for Fall Term admission until August 15th.
Currently, there are multiple graduate research
assistant positions in the area of thermal hydraulics. Both Ph.D.
and M.S. students are encouraged to apply.
The Department also maintains a current list of fellowship and scholarship opportunities.
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