WPI removes nuclear engineering program

In a recent faculty meeting, WPI decided to remove the Nuclear Engineering major from the curriculum. This is due primarily to an ongoing decline in interest in nuclear engineering here. However, there was a clause in the motion that allowed the creation of a Nuclear Engineering minor, which will be around as long as there is interest in it.

Although there is no longer an official nuclear engineering program at WPI, the nuclear reactor on campus will continue to be in operation, according to Stephen LaFlamme, WPI's Nuclear Reactor Director. "The lack of a Nuclear Engineering Program does not directly affect the operation of the facility," he said. "And the decision to shutdown and decommission this facility, or not, will be a totally separate decision." The reactor will also still be available for project work and for nuclear engineering courses that are still in the curriculum.

Although the reactor is still in operation, it will probably be more difficult to maintain operations. Currently, WPI relies heavily on students for operation of the reactor. As Mr. LaFlamme points out, it will be harder for students to become licensed to operate the reactor, since courses in nuclear engineering are strongly needed to gain the knowledge necessary to be licensed. "Furthermore," he adds, "not having the program may make it more difficult to identify students interested, and motivated, enough to complete the licensing process."

Declining interest in Nuclear Engineering is not unique to WPI. According to a report by the Department of Energy, the number of operating university reactors and the number of nuclear engineering programs has fallen by about 50% since the mid-1980s. This decline is occurring despite increasing demand for nuclear engineers. The increasing demand is due to extensions of U.S. based Light Water Reactor Power Plants, and increasing application of radiation technologies in the biotechnology area. Also, the demand by the Navy for trained nuclear personnel still remains.

At present, the demand for nuclear engineers is higher than the supply, and the gap is expected to grow within the next few years. If this trend continues, it could pose a serious threat to the country, both in terms of power supply and in national security. The Department of Energy plans on a series of initiatives to increase enrollment in nuclear engineering programs, but it is unclear how effective those initiatives will be. At present, it appears that WPI is just one more statistic in the overall downward trend.