Nuclear Power Engineering Study in Turkey

StudyFans Date : 26 Apr 23

The nuclear power engineering specialization aims to graduate students with excellent academic knowledge and considerable practical training. The theoretical and practical courses are designed to introduce the students to what nuclear engineers do to develop processes, tools, and systems to benefit from nuclear energy and radiation.

The student gets training on designing, developing, and operating nuclear power plants through specialized professional centers and theoretical classes in university laboratories.

Some engineers specialize in developing nuclear power sources for naval ships or spacecraft. Others focus on the industrial and medical uses of radioactive materials in diagnosing and treating medical problems.

Advantages of Nuclear Power Engineering Study in Turkey

• It is concerned with developing the military, scientific, industrial, civil, and medical fields.

• It is a multidisciplinary study and not limited to the use of nuclear energy for electricity generation.

• With technical, industrial, and environmental development, nuclear engineering is involved in many aspects of human life.

• Radiation is used in treating diseases, the food supply process, operating nuclear power systems, and developing regulations to ensure safety and facilitate space exploration.

• Nuclear engineering includes the design, manufacture, construction, operation, and testing of equipment, systems, and processes for producing, controlling, and detecting nuclear radiation.

• The specialization is concerned with the exploration and research of new sources of energy.

• It also focuses on practical applications in nuclear energy, nuclear plants, and nuclear reactor design fields.

• Nuclear power engineering is among the most recent engineering specializations in Turkey.

Read more about: Advantage and disadvantage of Studying in Turkey

Courses of Nuclear Power Engineering Program in Turkey

First academic year (preparatory)

It covers the basic courses common among all engineering specializations, such as the basics of engineering and engineering mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

Next three years

During these years, the student will study the following courses:

- Imaging and Radiological Analysis

- Radiation Protection

- Fundamentals of Nuclear Engineering

- Study of Radioactive Materials and Isotopes

- Engineering Drawing

- Nuclear Technology Development

- Electrical Circuit Analysis

- Applied Engineering Statistics

- Planning for Nuclear Power Projects

- Radiation Effects on Health and Environment

- Construction and Design of Nuclear Reactors

- Software for Nuclear Engineering

- Radiation Detection and Measurement lab

- Systems and Operation of Nuclear Power Plants

- Nuclear Reactor Materials

- Laboratory Experiments in Nuclear Reactions

- Engineering Thermodynamics

- Fluid mechanics

- Economics and Engineering Management

- Heat Transfer

- Thermo-hydraulics of Nuclear Reactors

- Nuclear Reactor Analysis

- Materials in Nuclear Reactors

- Management of Nuclear Fuel Waste

Skills of Nuclear Power Engineering Students and Graduates in Turkey

• The student of this specialization has mathematical skills and the ability to use the principles of calculus and trigonometry.

• The student can analyze and design materials needed by different industries through the provided theoretical and practical courses and training.

• Communication skills, logical and critical thinking

• The student can troubleshoot, observe accurately, and solve problems

• Nuclear power engineering graduates can work in a team

• The nuclear engineer must be capable of working under pressure and for long hours

• The nuclear engineer has a calm and deep personality

• Students of this specialization can spend a long time in training

• Students can conduct scientific research and search for sources of information

• The nuclear power engineer has good writing skills, such as writing reports

• Computer skills, smart devices, and other technology

• Nuclear energy engineer has a passion for initiatives, innovation, and love for fieldwork

Duration of Nuclear Power Engineering Study in Turkey

• The duration of studying nuclear power engineering in Turkey is four years, with eight semesters. An additional year would be added to the total duration of the study if the student did not manage to submit the language test certificate (in private universities).

Know more about: Top 10 Engineering Faculties in Turkey

Tasks of Nuclear Power Engineers

A nuclear power engineer researches and develops the processes, tools, and systems required to benefit from nuclear energy and radiation. They also resolve any emergencies in nuclear plants and electrical supplies. The responsibilities of a nuclear engineer vary based on his experience, which may include and are not limited to the following:

• Design or development of nuclear components, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, and other related components.

• Carrying out the activities required to ensure the effective operation of nuclear power plants and maintenance of these plants.

• Ensuring that power plants meet safety standards

• Writing operational instructions for nuclear plants or for handling and disposing of nuclear waste

• Monitoring and operating nuclear facilities to identify design, construction, or operating practices that violate safety laws and regulations.

• Conduct experiments to test whether the methods of using nuclear materials, reprocessing of nuclear fuel, or disposal of nuclear waste are acceptable.

• Dealing with nuclear emergencies and taking corrective action when required

• Examine nuclear accidents and collect data that can be used to design preventive measures

• Nuclear engineers are at the fore in developing the uses of nuclear materials for medical imaging devices such as positron emission tomography (PET).

• A nuclear energy engineer develops or designs cyclotrons, which produce a high-energy beam used in healthcare to treat cancerous tumors.

Pros and Cons of Working in the Field of Nuclear Power Engineering

Pors of working in the field of nuclear power engineering

• Nuclear engineers have a prestigious and highly paid job as they help the world find new ways to produce electricity.

• Nuclear power engineers get high and competitive salaries

• Nuclear power engineers have many opportunities for advancement in research and development and professional practice fields

• Nuclear power engineers can work in any of the developed countries in the fields of nuclear power

• Nuclear power engineers contribute toward the growth of national income by increasing the productivity of energy alternatives

• Nuclear power engineers work to reduce waste and thus contribute to achieving sustainable environmental development

• Nuclear power engineers get high salaries and distinguished positions in the country

Cons of working in the field of nuclear power engineering

• High competition for leadership positions in nuclear power engineering due to the nature of work.

• The experience and competence of a nuclear energy engineer are gained through continuous research and educational attainment. To progress in his work path, he must pursue postgraduate studies and professional and specialized training.

• The nuclear power engineer works under physical, psychological, and mental pressure and may have to work for long hours, especially during emergencies.

• With the increase of nuclear power engineering graduates, the competition has become high to secure a job in this field.

• The Nuclear power engineers risk exposure to dangerous materials or radioactive leakage in laboratories, work centers, and manufacturing.

• The difficulty of the courses of this specialization

• The graduate has to obtain more training and attends many nuclear power engineering-related programs

• The limited job opportunities in the civic institutions and centers, as they are not always offering a job position related to this specialization.

• Nuclear energy can cause climate change, global warming, and environmental pollution

• Many nuclear power engineers do not have access to nuclear power-related research, inventions, or work mechanisms, due to the sensitivity of this research and competition between countries in the field of nuclear industries.

Nuclear Power Engineering Specialisations

• Nuclear Fusion and Plasma Science Program

• Nuclear Materials Program

• Nuclear Reactor Program

• Radiation Detection and Measurements Program

• Medical Instrumentation Program

Nuclear Power Engineering Related Specializations

• Civil Engineering

• Industrial Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Electrical Engineering

• Alternative and Renewable Energy

Job Opportunities for Nuclear Power Engineering Graduates in Turkey

• Work in facilities that have or are building nuclear power plants

• Work on projects of granted operating supplies to nuclear power plants.

• Work with other engineers, such as mechanical or electrical engineers, to integrate or design the required systems.

• Work in a geological center

• Work in the field of mining and exploration for minerals such as uranium

• Work in the fields of refueling ships, submarines, and aircraft

• Work in institutions, factories, and companies that supply electricity to homes and companies

• Work in advanced medical fields, especially in the field of cancer, to develop medical equipment

• Work in the field of risk assessment and quality assurance

• Work in the field of project management

• Work in the areas of the Natural Resources Authority

• Work in scientific institutions and research centers

Admission Requirements to Study Nuclear Power Engineering in Turkey

First: Admission requirements in public universities

The student should submit a General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) with an average of more than 70%. Turkish public universities also require students to clear entrance exams (YÖS or SAT). Moreover, they require the student to submit an English or Turkish language proficiency certificate according to the medium of instruction.

First: Admission requirements in private universities

The student should submit a General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) with an average of more than 50%. Turkish private universities do not the student to clear the entrance exam. However, they ask the student to submit the English language proficiency certificate.

Learn more about: Application Requirements to Study in Turkey

Most Important Universities to Study Nuclear Power Engineering in Turkey

Üsküdar University, Vocational School of Health Services (2 Years), Nuclear Technology and Radiation Safety Program, Turkish medium of instruction, $2,400