As Paducah has emerged as the leader of Kentucky’s nuclear energy revival, the University of Kentucky Pigman College of Engineering – Paducah Campus is preparing to support the region’s workforce needs with the launch of a new course.
Debuting this fall, EGR 599: Foundations of Nuclear Engineering: Principles and Applications, is designed to introduce students to the core principles of nuclear science and engineering, including nuclear reactions, reactor physics, radiation safety and nuclear fuel cycles.
Taught by Madhav Baral, Ph.D., assistant professor in mechanical engineering, the course is a response to the growing interest and legislative momentum to develop Kentucky’s nuclear industry—particularly in Paducah—and aims to prepare students with foundational skills and knowledge in nuclear technology.
Y. Charles Lu, director of the Pigman College of Engineering – Paducah Campus, said a fundamental nuclear course was due for the campus with its longtime connections to local industry.
“The Department of Energy and its contractors at the Paducah site have historically hired many of our students as interns and full-time engineers to support their missions,” said Lu. “Making a fundamental nuclear engineering course available will always help our students get jobs and be sound societal engineers.”
Local and state officials have increasingly identified McCracken County, and Paducah, as a key player in Kentucky’s nuclear future, citing the area’s historical ties to the nuclear sector and available infrastructure. This was highlighted by the recent announcement of a first-of-its-kind uranium enrichment facility being developed in Paducah.
Global Laser Enrichment (GLE) founded an advanced uranium enrichment process and plans to relocate to a 665-acre plot of land adjacent to the Department of Energy Paducah site. The construction of the facility is estimated to take one to two years and employ 1,000 construction workers. Once operational, GLE would employ approximately 400 skilled workers in the area.
Lu said the campus has worked closely with the local community to align academic programming with economic development and ENGR 599 will help ensure its talent pipeline is workforce ready.
“Now, Paducah and the region have emerged as a nuclear industry leader in the state and even the country, attracting some new energy companies to relocate to the area,” said Lu. “Offering fundamental nuclear engineering courses will help recruit the industry and create new job opportunities for our students.”
Students in the course will also explore the environmental, societal and ethical dimensions of nuclear power, developing well-rounded engineers who can contribute responsibly to the evolving energy landscape.
