WASHINGTON, DC– The Department of Energy (DOE) applauds the announcement today of new undergraduate and graduate nuclear engineering programs at South Carolina State University (SCSU) in Orangeburg and the University of South Carolina (USC) in Columbia, S.C. respectively. These nuclear reactor-oriented programs, recently approved by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, are the first nuclear engineering university programs established in the U.S. in over 20 years.

"I applaud South Carolina State and USC for their foresight in establishing degree programs that support America's National Energy Policy and help ensure that well qualified nuclear professionals are available to support America's nuclear security," Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham said.

Both programs respond to state and national needs for nuclear engineering graduates. The state of South Carolina is deeply involved with nuclear energy, with seven power reactors operating in the state, a commercial fuel fabrication facility, a low-level waste disposal facility, and the Energy Department's Savannah River Site.

Since 2000, the Energy Department has provided over $600,000 to South Carolina State University, assisting the university's transition from an engineering technology-based program to a nuclear engineering program. DOE's support has included funds for two junior faculty and scholarships for 12-14 students each year.

SCSU's new undergraduate nuclear engineering program will be offered in partnership with the University of Wisconsin. Students accepted into the program will complete their degree requirements at both SCSU and the University of Wisconsin. While the majority of courses can be completed at the South Carolina campus, students will need to round out their education with reactor physics courses and other courses that take advantage of the availability of a research reactor at Wisconsin's Madison campus. Eleven students are currently enrolled in the program at SCSU and the university hopes to enroll about 30 students for the upcoming school year.

The University of South Carolina's nuclear engineering graduate program announced today will offer a Master of Science, Master of Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, with research expected to be developed in the general areas of reactor design, reactor safety, material applications, and other applications. Fifteen students are currently enrolled in introductory nuclear engineering graduate courses at USC and the university anticipates about 30 students enrolled in graduate studies for the upcoming year.

Attending today's activities at the two universities were Mr. William D. Magwood IV, director of DOE's nuclear energy office, and officials from the department's Savannah River Operations Office, Westinghouse Savannah River Corporation, Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, Aiken Economic Development Partnership, and the South Carolina Universities Research and Education Foundation.

Additional information on the Office of Nuclear Energy's nuclear education and infrastructure initiatives can be found on the office's web site, nuclear.gov.

List

- DOE -