"We are happy to see this renewed interest in nuclear engineering in all of its aspects," NPRE Department Head Jim Stubbins said of the enrollment climb. "It reflects the national and international focus on clean, reliable energy, as well as nuclear medicine and a multitude of plasma applications."
The department expects 52 new freshmen and 12 new transfer students, almost double Fall 2008's numbers of 30 freshmen and four transfers.
Last fall, NPRE had a total of 107 undergraduates. This year, that number is expected to reach 140-plus. That compares with numbers in the 40s in the early years of this decade.
Also significant is that 90 students have enrolled in "NPRE 100 Orientation to Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering," doubling last year's enrollment for that class. Those taking that class include NPRE's new students and additional students who are interested in nuclear engineering and may consider it as a major.
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Writer: Susan Mumm editor/alumni affairs coordinator, Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering, 217/244-5382 (campus office), 217/821-6866 (cell) 217/347-2166 (home office).
If you have any questions about the College of Engineering, or other story ideas, contact Rick Kubetz, Engineering Communications Office, 217/244-7716, editor.