Program overview
This major focuses on how nuclear fuel is sourced, used, and disposed of after use. Simply put, it revolves around the "food" of nuclear power plants—uranium, plutonium, and other nuclear materials—studying their extraction, conversion, fabrication, recycling, and final disposal. Core courses include Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering, Nuclear Materials Science, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and Nuclear Waste Management Technology. You'll gain knowledge of the entire process from mines to reactors to reprocessing plants, conduct experiments, run simulations, and even have opportunities to visit nuclear power plants or research bases. China has unique advantages in this field: first, the country is rapidly expanding nuclear power, driving strong demand for nuclear fuel cycle technologies; second, Chinese universities (such as Tsinghua University, Harbin Engineering University, and Xi'an Jiaotong University) boast advanced experimental facilities and close partnerships with enterprises like CNNC, providing real project practice opportunities. This major suits students interested in the intersection of energy, materials, chemistry, and physics, who don't shy away from rigorous engineering standards and are willing to contribute to clean energy.