This text is an ideal introduction to the fundamentals of nuclear science and engineering. It presents the basic nuclear science needed to understand and quantify nuclear phenomena such as nuclear reactions, nuclear energy, radioactivity, and radiation interactions with matter-exploring the latest advances in the detection and measurement of radiation, fusion and fission energy, stellar evolution, nuclear power reactors, nuclear propulsion, direct conversion of nuclear energy, and applications of nuclear technology in research, industry, agriculture, and medicine.

Fundamentals of Nuclear Science and Engineering

• provides extensive problem sets for each chapter
• summarizes developments in the creation of atomic and nuclear models
• develops the kinematics and energetics of nuclear reactions and radioactivity
• identifies and assesses biological risks associated with ionizing radiation
• gives the theory of nuclear reactors and their dynamic behavior
• discusses the design and characteristics of present day nuclear power reactors
• summarizes the nuclear fuel cycle and radioactive waste management
• gives an overview of nuclear propulsion for ships and space crafts
• describes methods for directly converting nuclear energy into electricity
• discusses the use of nuclear techniques in medical therapy and diagnosis
• covers basic concepts in theory of special relativity, wave-particle duality, and quantum mechanics
• provides appendices with large amounts of practical data to enable students to perform a wealth of calculations

Scrutinizing the characteristics and applications of nuclear energy and its radiation, Fundamentals of Nuclear Science and Engineering is an essential text for first-year nuclear engineering students as well as upper-level undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in industrial, mechanical, chemical, process, and civil engineering; physics; nuclear science; chemistry; genetic engineering; and medical diagnostics.