MSE Overview
At UMass Lowell, we offer two options, which lead to a wide range of career opportunities.
- The Renewable (Solar) Engineeringoption (through the Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Department) began over twenty-five years ago with a focus on solar energy, but over time has expanded to encompass several renewable energy technologies, including wind turbines, fuel cells and green combustion.
- The Nuclear Engineering option (through the Department of Chemical Engineering) began in the 1960s with the establishment of the nuclear science center that include the 1 MW research reactor and the accelerator in early 1970s. UMass Lowell is the only public institution in New England with a nuclear energy and technology focus. Our nuclear engineering program faculty have research expertise in nuclear power plant safety, radiation shielding and protection, advanced radiation detectors, nuclear nonproliferation, nuclear safeguards, modeling and simulation of nuclear fuel cycle.
The programs are designed to achieve a balance between hands-on experience and theory. Energy engineering draws students from all branches of engineering, mathematics, physics and chemistry.