Nuclear Engineering, Health Physics and Physics
Professors: Dan Dale, Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar, Tony Forest, Dustin McNulty, Chad Pope, Steven Shropshire
Associate Professor: Amir Ali, Daniel LaBrier, Eddie Tatar
Research Professor: Richard Schultz
Lecturers: Kirsten Bernabee, Anna Hoskins
Emeriti: Thomas Gesell, George Imel, Jay Kunze, Barry Parker
| Ph.D. in Applied Physics | Degree | Ph.D. |
| Ph.D. in Nuclear Science and Engineering | Degree | Ph.D. |
| Ph.D. in Engineering and Applied Science (Physics) | Degree | Ph.D. |
| Ph.D. in Engineering and Applied Science (Computational Physics) | Degree | Ph.D. |
| M.S. in Health Physics | Degree | M.S. |
| M.S. in Nuclear Science and Engineering | Degree | M.S. |
| M.S. in Physics | Degree | M.S. |
| Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Safeguards and Security | Certificate | Certificate |
Doctor of Philosophy in Nuclear Science and Engineering
This program combines the atomic nuclear aspects of engineering and science. Research areas range from the more traditional nuclear engineering disciplines (reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, and reactor design) to cross-discipline topics in the fields of health physics, radiation detection and measurement, nuclear fuels, materials development, nuclear fuel cycle systems studies, and radioactive waste management.
Goals
- Prepare graduates to conduct and disseminate independent scholarly research.
- Prepare graduates for careers in academia or industry.
Objectives
- Increase the knowledge of graduates in their specialized field: chemistry, engineering (all disciplines), geosciences, mathematics, and physics.
- Enhance the ability of graduates to contribute to their chosen field.
- Enhance effective written and oral communication skills of graduates.
Master of Science in Nuclear Science and Engineering
The master’s degree program in Nuclear Science and Engineering prepares the student for advanced placement in the nuclear industry in commercial, research, or development areas. It provides in-depth studies and advanced design concepts in several areas of modern nuclear science and engineering. It is also an excellent program of study for entering the doctoral program in Nuclear Science and Engineering.
Goals
- Enhance the knowledge of graduates in the physics and engineering of nuclear reactors, the nuclear fuel cycle, and other aspects of the study of nuclear engineering. At Idaho State University, while our emphasis is on advanced reactors and the science and technology of nuclear fuel recycling, we allow the flexibility to build programs on other aspects, which can include systems studies and simulations including policy aspects, radiation shielding and detection, medical applications of radiation, and the economics and safety of all of these applications.
- Increase the ability of graduates to synthesize and apply these advanced concepts to develop realistic nuclear engineering designs and to solve identified problems, designing strategies for implementing them safely, ethically, and effectively.
- Enhance the ability of graduates to effectively communicate these concepts both in oral and written formats.
Ph.D in Applied Physics
M.S. in Physics
The objectives of our graduate degrees, which are the Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Physics and Master of Science in Physics, are to develop a core competence in the fundamental physical science that is appropriate for the level of the degree, to develop more generalized skills of quantitative reasoning that are applicable to any discipline, and to understand the nature and influence of physics in particular, and science in general, upon our society. Additional objectives for these students include the development of (1) broad, fundamental technical skills and knowledge, (2) strong communication skills, and (3) the capability to think critically and work independently. The expectations for each of these objectives have a “level” that is appropriate for the degree.
The learning objectives of the master's degree in physics are mastery of the “core” subjects of electromagnetism, non-relativistic quantum mechanics, and theoretical methods of classical physics (principally mechanics).
The communication objectives for these degrees are writing and speaking skills that are sufficient for students to represent themselves, their projects, and their organizations at regional, national, or international scientific meetings. Our expectations are that these students will obtain critical thinking skills and an ability to work independently at a level that will require minimal or no supervision by a more senior scientist or management.
The educational objectives of the doctoral degree in applied physics include all of those of the master's degree program, plus mastery of additional graduate-level classes of the student’s choosing, plus completion of an original doctoral research thesis project with the objective of mastery of planning, executing, and publishing original research in physics at the highest level of the discipline. The communication objectives at this level are writing and speaking skills that are sufficient to teach in higher education, attract interest and funding to their projects, and to represent themselves, their projects and their organizations at regional, national, or international scientific meetings. Our expectations are that these students will develop critical thinking skills and an ability to work independently such that they are capable of initiating and leading their own scientific projects, and can work at a level that requires no supervision.
Master of Science in Health Physics
The Nuclear Engineering Program additionally offers the master's option in Health Physics. Health Physics, an applied science, is concerned with the protection of humans and their environment from the possible harmful effects of radiation while providing for its beneficial uses. It is a multi-disciplined profession that incorporates aspects of both the physical and biological sciences. The Idaho State University Health Physics programmatic educational objectives have been developed via close collaboration of faculty and the Idaho State University Health Physics Program Advisory Board.
The educational objectives of the ISU Health Physics program are to produce health physicists with:
- broad, fundamental technical knowledge;
- written and verbal communication skills;
- professional judgment and capability to think critically;
- practical experience in solving applied health physics problems;
- the ability to work independently; and
- a professional ethic of magnitude sufficient for them to work productively and successfully in a variety of health physics settings.
The graduate program has two additional educational objectives, which are to equip graduates with:
- An ability to conduct research; and
- Professional tools and experience above that expected for the baccalaureate program.
Students may enter the master's program in health physics from several undergraduate majors including health physics, physics, chemistry, biology, and other science or engineering majors. Additional course work to correct deficiencies may be necessary.