DANE aims to be the leader in the further development of safe and sustainable nuclear energy by preparing leading specialists with integrity, creativity and innovative quality in nuclear engineering through providing high-quality education and training in the platform of education and research. DANE also aims to collaborate with national and global experts and research and education institutes to perform top-notch research through the combination of fundamental science such as physics, chemistry, material and geological science and applying technologies such as nuclear, mechanical, chemical, bio, and environmental engineering.

As nuclear engineering is a multidisciplinary field engaged in science, technology and engineering, it incorporates diverse research areas with vanguard technologies to achieve both efficiency and safety of nuclear power plants (NPPs). With the goal to be the leader in the further development of safe and sustainable nuclear energy, DANE offers the education and research programs in (a) nuclear safety and energy conversion, (b) nuclear physics and plasma, and (c) radioactive waste management. The comprehensive graduate program covering the three broad areas requires multi-disciplinary collaborations including nuclear and plasma physics, mechanical, chemical and environmental engineering, and materials and geological science.

Students enrolled prior to 2014

• Students are required to take two mandatory subjects: (1) Fundamentals of Nuclear Engineering (NUCE501) and (2) Nuclear Reactor Physics (NUCE601)

Students enrolled from 2014

• Students are required to take three mandatory subjects out of the three subjects: (1) Fundamentals of Nuclear Engineering (NUCE501) and (2) Nuclear Reactor Physics (NUCE601) and (3) Radioactive Waste Management (NUCE602)
• Students who continuing their studies for the Ph.D course after receiving master’s degree from POSTECH’s DANE are exempted from taking duplicate courses if they have completed all required major courses during the master’s course.

The students who have been enrolled since the spring semester of 2017

• Students are required to take 2 of the 3 required Courses. Students are required to take Nuclear Engineering (NUCE501) and Nuclear Reactor Physics (NUCE502).
• For students continuing their studies for a doctoral degree after receiving a master’s degree from POSTECH’s DANE, major required courses shall be waived if they were all taken during the master’s program.

Students enrolled from 2021

• Students are required to take 3 Common required Courses(Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Reactor Physics, Nuclear Power and Social Problems).
• Students are required to take 1 of the 6 required Courses(Nuclear Thermal-Hydraulics, Plasma Fundamentals and Applications, Radioactive Waste Management, Intro. to AI and Robotics for Extreme Environment, Introduction to Nuclear Materials Engineering, Field Robotics).
• Student who continuing their studies for the Ph.D course after receiving M.S degree from POSTEH’s DANE are exempted without taking duplicate courses if they have completed common subjects(required, elective), compulsory major, and social convergence subjects.

Students enrolled from 2026

• Students are required to take 2 Common required Courses(Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Reactor Physics).
• Students are required to take 1 of the 7 required Courses(Nuclear Thermal-Hydraulics, Plasma Fundamentals and Applications, Radioactive Waste Management, Intro. to AI and Robotics for Extreme Environment, Introduction to Nuclear Materials Engineering, Field Robotics, Nuclear Power and Social Problems).
• Student who continuing their studies for the Ph.D course after receiving M.S degree from POSTEH’s DANE are exempted without taking duplicate courses if they have completed common subjects(required, elective), compulsory major, and social convergence subjects.

Students enrolled prior to 2021

• Students must complete minimum two NUCE elective courses for the completion of the degree.

Students enrolled from 2021

• Students are required to take more than 3 credits of the Common Elective Courses.
• Students are required to take more than 3 credits of the Social Convergence Courses.

• Master Program students should take two or more semesters of the DANE seminar courses.
• M.S.-Ph.D. Integrated Program students should take five or more semesters of the DANE seminar courses are required.
• Ph.D. Program students should take three or more semesters of the DANE seminar courses are required.

• 「Research Ethics(ICEC501)」 is required course(after 2023), it is excluded from graduation credits.
  (For students with a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, the requirement to take ICEC501 shall be waived)
• 「Graduate Professional Communication I/II (GEDU511/512)」 shall be mandatory for newly admitted international students from the 2026 academic year, and students shall complete one of the two courses. However, the course shall not be counted toward the graduation credit requirement.
  (Students who advance to the doctoral program after completing the course during their master’s program shall be exempt from this requirement without retaking the course.)

	Course Credits	Research Credits	Total Credits
Master Program	15	13	28
Ph.D Program	12	20	32
M.S.-Ph.D. Integrated Program	24	36	60

	Course Credits	Research Credits	Total Credits
Master Program	18	10	28
Ph.D Program	15	17	32
M.S.-Ph.D. Integrated Program	30	30	60

	Course Credits	Research Credits	Total Credits
Master Program	18	10	28
Ph.D Program	21	11	38
M.S.-Ph.D. Integrated Program	36	24	60

Acceptance of credits from other department

• Up to six credits for students taken among the 400 level courses are approved as course credits.
• Master Program : Up to six credits are accepted.
• Ph.D. and M.S.-Ph.D. Integrated Program : Up to 12 credits are accepted.

• Ph.D. and M.S.-Ph.D. Integrated Program students should submit a dissertation proposal within four semesters. Students can extend two semester to submit the dissertation proposal by receiving his/her advisor’s approval.

• Qualifying Examination held twice a year. QE must be held on the last week of December or the first week of January and the last week of June or the first week of July to approve it by the university graduate committee.
• Ph.D. and M.S.-Ph.D. Integrated Program students should pass qualifying Examination within four semesters after entrance.
• Master Program who passes QE within four semesters after the entrance can apply for M.S.-Ph.D. Integrated Program.
• Students obtained 60 points or above out of 100 points for each subject in the exam are considered to be passed.
• For those who earned grade A- or higher in required and elective subjects are exempt from QE.

Exam Requirements by Enrolment Year

• From Student number 2011 to 2016: In principle, the Q.E. will be a written examination. Students must take and pass the exams for 2 mandatory courses and 1 elective course.
• Applies to students enrolled since the spring semester of 2017: In principle, the Q.E. will be a written examination. Students must pass the Q.E. for 2 out of 3 mandatory courses (NUCE510, NUCE520, NUCE530), NUCE501, and NUCE502 (4 courses in total).
• Applies to students enrolled since the spring semester of 2021: In principle, the Q.E. will be a written examination. Students must pass the Q.E. for 3 Common Mandatory Courses(Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Reactor Physics, Nuclear Power and Social Problems) and must pass the Q.E. for 1 out of 6 Mandatory Courses (Nuclear Thermal-Hydraulics, Plasma Fundamentals and Applications, Radioactive Waste Management, Intro. to AI and Robotics for Extreme Environment, Introduction to Nuclear Materials Engineering, Field Robotics). 4 courses in total.
• Applies to students enrolled since the spring semester of 2026: In principle, the Q.E. will be a written examination. Students must pass the Q.E. for 2 Common Mandatory Courses(Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Reactor Physics) and must pass the Q.E. for 1 out of 7 Mandatory Courses (Nuclear Thermal-Hydraulics, Plasma Fundamentals and Applications, Radioactive Waste Management, Intro. to AI and Robotics for Extreme Environment, Introduction to Nuclear Materials Engineering, Field Robotics, Nuclear Power and Social Problems). 3 courses in total.

• Ph.D. and M.S.-Ph.D. Integrated Program students should publish minimum one article out of dissertation as the first author to International Journal recognized by the division.

• Master Program students are required to organize the thesis defense committee that consists of minimum three persons including his/her advisor.
• Ph.D. and M.S.-Ph.D. Integrated Program students are required to have a review committee of minimum five persons including an advising professor (minimum one person should be outside the department and the present university professors should be more than half).