Nuclear could be key resource in global warming fight

The University of New Mexico’s 42-year-old nuclear engineering program reached a key milestone last July, but few outside UNM noticed.

The program, which offers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees in nuclear engineering, became the School of Engineering’s new Nuclear Engineering Department, ending its status as a joint program with chemical engineering for the first time since 1972, said Anil Prinja, interim department chair.

“We decided it made sense to become independent, rebrand ourselves and grow to take advantage of new opportunities,” Prinja said.

UNM already provided the only full degree-granting nuclear program in the Southwest region, except for Texas. But it’s new stand-alone status adds prestige and improves its ability to attract new faculty, more students and possibly research grants.