Excelsior Awarded $245K Grant by U.S. Department of Energy for Advanced Nuclear Simulator Project
Excelsior College has been chosen over some stiff competition and was awarded a $245K grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for the development of an advanced web-based nuclear reactor simulator, as part of the Nuclear Energy University Program. The U.S. Department of Energy is awarding approximately $5 million to 18 colleges and universities to support research into reactor infrastructure and general scientific infrastructure improvements. These awards strengthen U.S. competitiveness in nuclear R&D and ensure that American universities have the best equipment and tools available to educate the next generation of industry leaders.
Excelsior’s grant money will be used to fund the purchase of a Generic Pressurized Water Reactor (GPWR) simulator to incorporate lessons into five required courses in the online ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology program. The simulator will enhance student learning and improve student preparation for the nuclear workforce.
“This is an incredible success story for Excelsior College and a powerful endorsement for the quality of our nuclear programs,” says Michael Johnson, associate dean in Excelsior’s School of Undergraduate Studies. “To be included among a list of world-leading institutions, like MIT, Penn State, and the University of Florida, is indicative of the unrivaled reputation that Excelsior has achieved for its ABET-accredited programs. With faculty that have extensive industry experience and now the opportunity to build a world-class online simulator, this puts Excelsior College in the front rank of global centers of excellence in nuclear technology. This is an awesome achievement of which the whole of Excelsior College, both the faculty and students, should be immensely proud.”
Further details of the grant can be found on the U.S. Department of Energy website.
