1. Wisconsin Institute of Nuclear Systems Nuclear Engr & Engr Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison May 2006 Michael Corradini, Chair Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics University of Wisconsin, Madison WI UNIVERSITY NUCLEAR ENGINEERING PROGRAMS and NUCLEAR ENERGY: Developing the Human Resource

2. Wisconsin Institute of Nuclear Systems Nuclear Engr & Engr Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison May 2006 Background n Nuclear engineering programs were originally begun in late 1950’s with an emphasis in fission reactor engineering. n Rapid growth expanded programs and areas through early 1970’s, including university research & training reactors. n In the last two decades nuclear science & engineering has been through a depression and now has a resurgence

3. Wisconsin Institute of Nuclear Systems Nuclear Engr & Engr Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison May 2006 Nuclear Engineering Programs

4. Wisconsin Institute of Nuclear Systems Nuclear Engr & Engr Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison May 2006 Outlook for Nuclear Energy in the U.S. n Nuclear engr. community have endorsed some general goals: u Nuclear energy must be part of a balanced energy mix u Nuclear power should have similar incentives as other alternative energy sources such as wind or solar power u Yucca Mtn Project is doable & needs stable funding u Advanced nuclear energy products need consideration u Advanced fuel cycle R&D needs to be supported with a goal of sustainability to minimize high-level waste n To fulfill these goals requires: people, ideas, tools u Sustaining our human resource is key to our future (power, health, security) and leads to innovative ideas & tools

5. Wisconsin Institute of Nuclear Systems Nuclear Engr & Engr Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison May 2006 Nuclear Engineering Enrollments Note: Other disciplines had constant enrollments in last decade

6. Wisconsin Institute of Nuclear Systems Nuclear Engr & Engr Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison May 2006 Nuclear Engineering Graduates Other engineering graduation rates were about constant

7. Wisconsin Institute of Nuclear Systems Nuclear Engr & Engr Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison May 2006 Observations on Nuclear Engr. Programs n Resurgence in BS-NE students is encouraging: u Possible reasons: visibility, support, status, salary! u Will there continue to be employment opportunities? n Masters students population remains depressed: u Crucial for interdisciplinary students entry into NE u Most flexible degree for a broad range of the industry n PhD students directly enhanced by nuclear energy R&D u Demographic changes: more women & domestic stud. u Resurgence of NE-Fission R&D since late 1990’s n Requirements for staffing of Health Physics also is key

8. Wisconsin Institute of Nuclear Systems Nuclear Engr & Engr Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison May 2006 Human Resource Needs/Issues n ASEE study estimated that BS & MS employment needs will be 600-700 per yr. while BS & MS Graduates will be <300 per yr (this is still an issue!) u Nuclear power industry - utilities, vendors, services u Nuclear-related positions in armed forces (Navy) u Government and laboratory positions (M.S. primarily) n MS & PhD grads require stable long-term resources u Fellowships/Traineeships/RA funds & infrastructure n Gov./Univ./Ind. partners in future (e.g., ANL and INL)

9. Wisconsin Institute of Nuclear Systems Nuclear Engr & Engr Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison May 2006 DOE Investment ($ in Millions) Trends in DoE Funding Total NERI Funds Univ. Prog. Funds

10. Wisconsin Institute of Nuclear Systems Nuclear Engr & Engr Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison May 2006 University Programs Initiatives for NE DoE has leveraged industry support to students in late‘90’s:  Student Fellowships/Scholarships/Internships (~ 150 students)  Industry/DoE Matching Grants program to many of the NE depts.  University Partnership Programs at minority institutions (5 teams) DoE funding is a catalyst for R&D since the late ‘90’s:  University Reactor Fuel and Instrumentation Grants  Innovations in Nuclear Infrastructure & Education Consortia (INIE)  Nuclear Engineering Education Research Grants (< 2 per school)  University researchers participating in NERI, GENIV and AFCI teams Need DoE help to increase and sustain human resources:  M.S. traineeships, PhD fellowships and stabilize the Matching Grants  Expand the NEER and NERI efforts with Junior Faculty Awards DoE has leveraged industry support to students in late‘90’s:  Student Fellowships/Scholarships/Internships (~ 150 students)  Industry/DoE Matching Grants program to many of the NE depts.  University Partnership Programs at minority institutions (5 teams) DoE funding is a catalyst for R&D since the late ‘90’s:  University Reactor Fuel and Instrumentation Grants  Innovations in Nuclear Infrastructure & Education Consortia (INIE)  Nuclear Engineering Education Research Grants (< 2 per school)  University researchers participating in NERI, GENIV and AFCI teams Need DoE help to increase and sustain human resources:  M.S. traineeships, PhD fellowships and stabilize the Matching Grants  Expand the NEER and NERI efforts with Junior Faculty Awards

11. Wisconsin Institute of Nuclear Systems Nuclear Engr & Engr Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison May 2006 Observations n “Give us money” is not an acceptable answer n University programs should provide a renewed vision (not SOP, innovative ideas/partnerships) n Industry needs to provide interesting and integrated careers and role models for hires n DoE needs to integrate university faculty into advanced GenIV/AFCI tasks and also lead n Univ/DoE need to work together to align awards to maximize graduate student recruiting

12. Wisconsin Institute of Nuclear Systems Nuclear Engr & Engr Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison May 2006 Observations (cont) n Summer programs and internships at DoE Labs; u For example: INIE Nuclear Summer Institute n Flexible BS and MS program alternatives; u For example: BS/MS dual degrees, NE minors n Internships at nuclear labs (for future manpower); u For example: Coops at industry, OYOC’s at Univ. n GenIV/AFCI joint lab/university tasks and leads n NEER or NERI awards properly timed to allow graduate student recruits for > 3 years