I am applying for an NROTC scholarship and put down chemical engineering(environmental) as my major because I have always been extremely passionate about chemistry. That being said I am really interested in Nuclear Power school. Does it make sense for me to go into nuclear power with a chemical engineering degree? Should I try to switch my major? I applied to all my colleges under chemical engineering so that wouldn't be easy. I am thinking both majors weigh heavenly on physics and chemistry (which are my favorite subjects). I would just like to hear a more knowledgable person talk about nuclear power school.
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- Thread starter Ew3081
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This isn't direct experience but I seem to recall some math majors on these forums going nuke... but then my memory is old and feeble.
There is an old thread here that might givre you some insight: https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/nrotc-what-is-a-nuke.44766/#post-442400
There is a NUPOC study guide here: http://nrotc.berkeley.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/NUPOC-STUDY-GUIDE-13Jul01.pdf
I'm not clear if you're expected to answer all the questions or only the ones pertaining to your major, but I'm pretty sure it's all of them.
There is also this which indicates a chemistry major would be acceptable.
https://www.navy.com/sites/default/files/2018-03/reactors_engineer-brochure_0.pdf
Of course you could always call and speak to an officer at your #1 unit to strike up a conversation on this topic with them and get additional insight. I think it would put you on their radar as well, although it won't help with winning a scholarship.
There is an old thread here that might givre you some insight: https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/nrotc-what-is-a-nuke.44766/#post-442400
There is a NUPOC study guide here: http://nrotc.berkeley.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/NUPOC-STUDY-GUIDE-13Jul01.pdf
I'm not clear if you're expected to answer all the questions or only the ones pertaining to your major, but I'm pretty sure it's all of them.
There is also this which indicates a chemistry major would be acceptable.
https://www.navy.com/sites/default/files/2018-03/reactors_engineer-brochure_0.pdf
Of course you could always call and speak to an officer at your #1 unit to strike up a conversation on this topic with them and get additional insight. I think it would put you on their radar as well, although it won't help with winning a scholarship.
Any STEM program will prepare you for Nuke School. Study what will make you happy and if you do half way decent, nuke is at your door step. The more you enjoy the subject, the more likely you are to do well. The better you do the higher likelihood you get nuke or if you change your mind, something else. There isn’t a need to be a nuclear engineer to go to nuke power school. I would say very few have that background. I even had a few buddies who were that were Humanities majors who did fine at nuke school. Good luck.
The approach of my DS, AROTC Cadet commissioned in 2015 is reflected perfectly by @NavyHoops .
He was/is a math machine. He loved Chemistry in HS and started as a Chem E major, against the advice of his academic adviser. She warned him that time commitments of the Major and ROTC would be too much taken together. He changed his major from Chem E to Chem when he realized he hated the tedium of Engineering Courses and the lack of Academic freedom in the major. He wanted to take more Computer Science and foreign language classes. He thrived and both the CS and foreign language courses have made possible his position leading a Signal (communications) detachment for a Special Forces Battalion. I'm sure he could swing a Masters in Chem E if he so chose, but he is 7 years and a whole life from having chosen the Chem E major. You can expect similar type changes in your life.
My point is to follow @NavyHoops advice to study what interests you. A Chemistry degree will get you all the math and physics you can possibly use in a wide range of fields. The range of opportunities in the military can be exploited best by the generalist. Remain a generalist until you find that one thing.
Best of Luck!
He was/is a math machine. He loved Chemistry in HS and started as a Chem E major, against the advice of his academic adviser. She warned him that time commitments of the Major and ROTC would be too much taken together. He changed his major from Chem E to Chem when he realized he hated the tedium of Engineering Courses and the lack of Academic freedom in the major. He wanted to take more Computer Science and foreign language classes. He thrived and both the CS and foreign language courses have made possible his position leading a Signal (communications) detachment for a Special Forces Battalion. I'm sure he could swing a Masters in Chem E if he so chose, but he is 7 years and a whole life from having chosen the Chem E major. You can expect similar type changes in your life.
My point is to follow @NavyHoops advice to study what interests you. A Chemistry degree will get you all the math and physics you can possibly use in a wide range of fields. The range of opportunities in the military can be exploited best by the generalist. Remain a generalist until you find that one thing.
Best of Luck!
Don’t know what school you are planning to go to but one of my DSs (not ROTC) got a BS in Chem E and an MS in Environmental Eng. A good Chem E program is about as rigorous as it gets but you will be prepared for nearly any technical job. DS has plenty of time for other things and still do very well in his program.
navydad1978
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Chemical engineering will prepare you well for nuclear power school, as will pretty much any other engineering degree, or most STEM degrees. Interestingly, I was once told that English majors had the highest success rate at NPS. The point is, if you do well in your (NROTC mandated) calculus and physics courses, and you are willing to study hard and learn, you'll probably succeed in NPS.
Honestly, having completed both officer and enlisted curricula at NPS, and having a NucE degree, I would honestly tell you that I would have a hard time choosing one degree that would be the most helpful. Mech, chem, elec, nuke, physics, and math all figure heavily in the school, but none require any preexisting knowledge beyond your calculus and physics courses.
@NavyHoops advice is sound: your best bet is to study something you're passionate about, focus on that and do well. A commitment to excellence is the most important part of being a nuke, and graduating and getting commissioned is a prerequisite!
Honestly, having completed both officer and enlisted curricula at NPS, and having a NucE degree, I would honestly tell you that I would have a hard time choosing one degree that would be the most helpful. Mech, chem, elec, nuke, physics, and math all figure heavily in the school, but none require any preexisting knowledge beyond your calculus and physics courses.
@NavyHoops advice is sound: your best bet is to study something you're passionate about, focus on that and do well. A commitment to excellence is the most important part of being a nuke, and graduating and getting commissioned is a prerequisite!
Blessedmom
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I am not an expert but son tells me you can be any major & those with highest GPA are offered Nuke school after graduation. I assume engineering, physics, or chem majors would transition easily?