Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 1 - Nuclear Engineering

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

DuWayne Schubring, University of Florida; Ira Harkness, University of Florida; Andreas Enqvist

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

Paper ID #49038Modernization of Nuclear Engineering Undergraduate CurriculumDr. DuWayne Schubring, University of Florida Dr. DuWayne Schubring is an Instructional Professor in the Nuclear Engineering Program in Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Florida. He has served as the nuclear program’s undergraduate and ABET coordinator for 10 years, as the SACSCOC coordinator for 7 years, and as the curriculum committee chair for the NE program for 4 years. His teaching interests including nuclear reactor thermal hydraulics, capstone design, and advanced nuclear fission power systems.Prof. Ira

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 1 - Nuclear Engineering

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lily Ranjbar, Oregon State University

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

virtual laboratory designs and instructionalstrategies for complex technical subjects, such as radiation detection and measurement, andother related labs in nuclear science and engineering.Keywords: Virtual Lab, Radiation Detection and Measurements, Nuclear Science andEngineering, Online Education, Student EngagementIntroductionThe School of Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE) at Oregon State University offers a fullyonline Master of Radiation Health Physics (MHP) program. This program is highly regarded andproduces the most graduates of any program in the nation [1], [2]. To support the needs of ourE-campus students and provide a completely online MHP curriculum, the NSE partnered withSpectral Labs [3] to develop an Advanced Virtual Radiation

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 3 - Energy and Society

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Matthew Aldeman, Illinois State University; Connii Dyar, Illinois State University; Matthew Hagaman, Illinois State University

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

Wind TurbinesProject DescriptionA large body of literature suggests that self-directed projects enhance student learning. Studentsare often enthusiastic about the experiences that they gain through class projects [1], and studentsand faculty alike often feel that collaborative team experiences are essential to their developmentas engineering professionals [2, 3]. Student projects also aid in student identity development [4]and are particularly useful for student exploration of topics that are important but very recent andhave not yet been integrated into standard curriculum [5, 6]. This is especially true when theprojects relate to topics that the students perceive as culturally important, such as projectsaddressing climate change and

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 1 - Nuclear Engineering

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ira Harkness, University of Florida

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

engineeringcourses, then a results and discussion section, and finally a section to conclude.BackgroundLiterature ReviewThere has been an argument for giving social science issues more prominence in engineeringcurricula, as a thorough understanding of the social world is crucial to successful engineering [1].Holistic engineering education combines traditional engineering coursework with subjects likeeconomics, sociology, psychology, business, and other disciplines, creating engineers who arecapable of leading multidisciplinary teams and driving innovation [2]. In essence, holisticengineering education integrates all knowledge to some purpose [3]. The aim is to produceengineers who are capable of engineering in sustainable and socially responsible ways.In

Conference Session

Energy Conversion, Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE) Poster Session

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jonathan William Ross, Drexel University; Karen Miu Miller, Drexel University; Christopher Wayne Peters, Drexel University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

packages, such as the Advanced Two-LoopLarge PWR (Korean-OPR 1000), Russian-type PWR (VVER-1000), and Integral PressurizedWater Reactor (SMR) [2]. The IAEA programs are highly detailed and are designed to bothdemonstrate normal plant behavior and illustrate various fault scenarios. Similar work wasconducted by Ahnert et al. in [3] by implementing a detailed graphical interface for a simulationof the Jose Cabrera Nuclear Power Plant. The interface included an interactive technical diagramof the plant, alarm panels for different circuits, and lifelike controls/instrumentation. Classroomfeedback on [3] was positive from students and instructors alike, but this type of simulator isonly available to specific universities.While programs exist that are

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 3 - Energy and Society

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Peter John Garforth, Garforth International; Michael A. Nealon, Henry Ford College; Nicholas Paseiro, Henry Ford College; Herbert Sinnock, Sheridan College; Lynn A. Albers, Hofstra University

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

Oakville’sCommunity Energy Strategy [15] and Brampton’s Community Energy and Emissions ReductionPlan [16].Over this period, there have been numerous adjustments and additions to the traditional energyand sustainability curriculum. New offerings aimed at accelerating breakthrough energytransitions are at the advanced concept stage.Henry Ford College Experience 2017 to 2024Henry Ford College’s energy transition started in 2017. Senior financial leadership understood thatan integrated long-term energy investment plan is a prerequisite to optimizing the economy andquality of the college’s energy performance. There was also an understanding that the globalenergy transition was driving policy and technological changes that could be both risks andopportunities for

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 2 - Alternative Energy Sources

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Reg Pecen, Sam Houston State University; Faruk Yildiz, Sam Houston State University; Ulan Dakeev, Sam Houston State University

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

idea.This progression ensures seamless power transmission through the lines to fulfill thedesignated load requirements. This sequential connection ensures an integrated flow ofpower from the renewable sources through essential control points and energy conversionmechanisms towards supplying the designated load. The schematic depiction exhibits thecoherent process and pivotal components involved in harnessing and transmitting energyfrom wind and solar resources for practical utilization. Figure 3. Block Diagram of the overall microgrid.Figure 4 presents a comprehensive 3D model displaying the layout of the wind farm, featuringthree turbines under construction on the left and two fully operational turbines on the

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 1 - Nuclear Engineering

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tina Baradaran; Jennifer Stansby; Mihail Ionescu; Edward Obbard

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

networking,presenting research, scientific output, material research and modelling, evaluation ofmaterials and experimental testing, required for training nuclear engineers in the NFC group.The PDs show the knowledge needed can be nuclear or non-nuclear, however the skills arenon-nuclear specific, apart from nuclear based coding skills and attributes carry through to alltasks across various roles. This is important in design of a learning program that encompassesboth nuclear and non-nuclear knowledge and skills. Through linking the competencies toprofessional frameworks such as the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies, the studyprovides a roadmap for curriculum development and workforce training initiatives. WhilePDs are an essential tool for

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 2 - Alternative Energy Sources

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lihong Heidi Jiao, Grand Valley State University

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

them for careers inthe energy industry.2. Project-based Experiential Teaching and Learning (PBTL)PBTL is an educational methodology that seamlessly integrates hands-on, real-world projects intothe curriculum, providing a dynamic and interactive alternative to traditional teaching methods[11]. Unlike conventional instruction, where students often passively absorb information throughlectures and textbooks, PBTL fosters active engagement, collaboration, and problem-solving. Thisapproach is built on the understanding that students learn most effectively when they are directlyinvolved in practical tasks that simulate real-world scenarios, allowing them to bridge the gapbetween theoretical concepts and their applications.Experiential learning