Department of Nuclear Science & Engineering (NSE)

Nuclear Science and Engineering and its uses will play an important role to face the challenges of 21st century and to promote Bangladesh as per the vision of the government. Nowadays, Bangladesh is marching gradually to incorporate the uses of nuclear technology in producing power, medicine, industrial and agricultural products etc. From Bangladesh perspective, professionals to take care of the nuclear infrastructure, equipment and material like nuclear power plant, nuclear fuel and other radioactive materials especially for power generation and healthcare diagnostics and to integrate the latest technology effectively for quality citizen services were a long-felt necessity. Therefore, start-up of this nuclear education is a very time demanding effort. A major goal of the Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE) Department is to advance the core disciplines needed to achieve new, beneficial applications of nuclear science and technology. Our students will study modern nuclear techniques which will find applications in medical imaging, radiation-based therapy, contraband detection and nuclear security and safeguards. In near future, our nuclear engineers/nuclear scientists will be employed in nuclear power plants, other power industries, nuclear medicine centers, research facilities, government regulatory agencies in our country as well as around the globe.

NSE Department was raised in 2014 and the first academic session started on 5th February 2015 at Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST). There were 40 undergraduate students in the maiden batch. NSE Dept. has also started MSc, MEngg and PhD programme from October 2015 session. The department has had 6 undergraduate batches graduated, and currently there are 120 students in total studying in the department.

The Dept of NSE draws its strength from the experienced pool of highly professional faculties. The dept is headed by the Head of the department and consists of 4 Professors, and 6 Lecturers and 6 guest faculties of different ranks which translates to 1 : 9 teacher to student ratio. The faculties are drawn in from diverse nationalities, diverse prior professional exposure (Military, Industry, Academia), diverse educational qualification and background and thus provide large areas of expertise for students to benefit. Based on requirements, domain specialists are drawn from other educational institutes like BUET and Dhaka University. Being the only Nuclear Industry Nuclear Power Company Bangladesh Limited (Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Bangladesh) also contributes to our teaching strength by providing their professionals’ experts to the academic activity of the department. Besides, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission contributes to a greater extent by providing their professional experts to different specialized subjects every now and then.

The integration of practical knowledge is a fundamental component of engineering education, typically delivered through structured laboratory experiments within academic institutions. However, professional practice offers a significantly broader context for experiential learning. Engagement in consultancy and applied problem-solving not only deepens practical understanding but also enhances the professional expertise of faculty and promotes a sustainable research culture. In alignment with this objective, the MIST Nuclear Science and Engineering Consultancy and Testing Services (CATS-NSE) was formally established.

Initially launched in 2018 to provide specialized material testing services, CATS-NSE operates advanced analytical facilities including a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Laboratory, a Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (WDXRF) Laboratory, and a High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) Detector Laboratory. Under the direct supervision of highly qualified academic and technical professionals, the center has successfully executed numerous testing and analysis projects. Since its official operational commencement on March 18, 2024, CATS-NSE has been functioning with a strong commitment to professional integrity, technical quality, and academic excellence, thereby bridging institutional learning with industrial and research applications.

Currently, we are providing the following services:

• Scanning Electron Microscopy (Imaging and Elemental Analysis)

• Elemental Analysis by XRF 

• Elemental Analysis by WDXRF

• Water Permeability Test

The Dept of NSE provides a conducive learning environment for the students in the form of state-of-the-art classrooms and well-equipped laboratories. While the classrooms provide an opportunity to learn the technical aspect of the subject, the laboratories provide an opportunity for the students to have an “hands on" experience on technology and thus innovate. The air-conditioned classrooms with broadband Wi-Fi, projection system, document readers are an ideal place for collaborative learning. In addition to the existing three laboratories - Nuclear Chemistry and Safeguards Lab, Modeling and Simulation Lab, and Radiation Detection and Medical Application Lab - other five laboratories are under construction with latest equipment.

LOCATION OF LABORATORIES

The MIST campus offers comprehensive and complementary library facilities designed to support advanced academic and research needs. Strategically located for easy access, the MIST Central Library serves as the institution's primary knowledge hub. It provides an extensive collection of relevant books, journals, and periodicals for students, faculty, and staff. A key feature is its dedicated cyber center, which offers robust access to a wide array of electronic resources and online databases.

In addition to this central resource, the Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE) Department hosts its own specialized departmental library. Situated on the 7th floor of Tower-4, this facility acts as a dynamic academic center within the department. It houses a curated collection of over 150 specialized books and maintains a valuable archive of approximately 100 theses authored by former students. The collection is actively developed based on direct recommendations from faculty and students, ensuring it directly supports ongoing coursework, research projects, and thesis work.

The NSE Departmental Library is a vibrant hub for student collaboration and academic activity. It provides an ideal environment for exchanging ideas, conducting group project work, and accessing focused research materials. The library is equipped with dedicated internet facilities for both students and faculty.

Hours of Operation:

• MIST Central Library:
  • Sunday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Saturday: 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Note: During preparatory leave and examinations, the library operates daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. It remains closed on government holidays.
• NSE Departmental Library:
  • Sunday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Library Collections:
The Central Library’s resources include a substantial physical and digital collection, featuring over 65,000 hard-copy books, access to millions of e-journal articles via partnerships with international networks, and extensive electronic proceedings.

The NSE Departmental Library complements this with its focused holdings, which include its core textbook collection and an archive of faculty research publications. A complete inventory of the departmental library's resources is available in the annex.

Together, these facilities ensure that students and faculty have seamless access to both broad academic resources and specialized departmental materials, fostering a rich environment for learning and innovation.

The Department of NSE has established a robust and dynamic research ecosystem, driven by a commitment to advancing nuclear science, enhancing engineering solutions, and contributing to national and global energy and security needs. Through strategic funding, faculty expertise, student involvement, and industry collaboration, the department has made significant strides in research output, publication, and project execution over the past years.

Faculty and student researchers engage in cutting-edge investigations spanning nuclear reactor safety, radiation detection, materials science, environmental sustainability, and medical applications of nuclear technology. Recent achievements include internationally recognized innovations such as gold medal-winning projects at ITEX 2023, patented technologies for natural pain reduction and water-repellent jute products, and groundbreaking work in medicinal cannabis extraction for potential therapeutic applications.

The research environment is supported by state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, strategic industry partnerships, and collaborative networks with international institutions. This platform serves as a comprehensive repository of the department's intellectual contributions, demonstrating how theoretical knowledge transforms into tangible solutions that benefit both local communities and global technological advancement.

The story of the NSE Department is written through the remarkable successes of its members. Our faculty and students consistently break new ground, transforming theoretical knowledge into award-winning innovations and representing MIST with pride on the world stage. From securing gold medals in international exhibitions and filing pioneering patents to developing IoT-powered safety systems and triumphing in global academic competitions, these achievements reflect a vibrant culture of curiosity, collaboration, and excellence.

This collection of highlights captures the spirit of innovation that drives our department forward, demonstrating how we are not just educating engineers but cultivating the problem-solvers and pioneers of tomorrow. The department remains committed to maintaining this trajectory of excellence through continued research investment, international collaboration, and support for student innovation—preparing graduates who contribute meaningfully to both the nuclear industry and broader technological advancement.

‘Nuclear for Peace’ with this motto MIST Nuclear Engineering Club started its journey in 2023 under the supervision of the department of Nuclear Science & Engineering, MIST. Our mission is to highlight the peaceful application of nuclear energy to all mindsets. We believe that the better solution will come if the problems are perceived deeply. We provide technical platform to the students to think and feel the problems of Nuclear Science & Engineering to innovate a healthier nuclear future. Undoubtedly, we inspire the students to explore the field of knowledge of Nuclear Science & Engineering by organizing many thrilling competitions. Our activities are not only offline, we are also active on an online platform to accomplish our ongoing and far-reaching mission.

Purposes:

• To encourage the students about Nuclear Energy.
• To spread useful application of nuclear energy with online and offline publications.
• To organize innovative nuclear events beyond institutional boundaries.

Activities:

• Give opportunity to explore new technologies.
• Certification of recognition.
• Complimentary access to exclusive events.
• Connect with passionate individuals.
• Develop valuable leadership abilities.
• Access different types of research-based courses.

Our department currently hosts a vibrant community of 82 postgraduate students (2025). Their academic journeys reflect a range of milestones, from active research to successful completion. Our postgraduate programs are designed to foster advanced research and professional expertise in nuclear science.

Student Status Distribution:
The following list breaks down the current status of all admitted students:

• Ongoing Studies: 22 students are actively engaged in their programs.
• Successfully Completed: 15 students have finished their degree requirements.
• Thesis Defended: 1 student has successfully defended their dissertation.
• Withdrawn: 2 students have chosen to withdraw.
• Discontinued: 42 students are no longer continuing in the program.

Current Student Body by Degree Programme:

The 22 students currently pursuing their degrees are distributed across our postgraduate offerings as detailed below:

• Master of Science (MSc) – 20
• Master of Engineering (MEngg) - 2

Key Insights and Department Focus :

• The MSc program forms the core of our active postgraduate cohort, indicating strong interest in our master's-level curriculum.
• We are committed to enhancing enrollment and support for our MEngg, MPhill, and PhD programs to grow our research impact.
• The department continuously monitors student progression to provide tailored academic support and guidance throughout each student's journey.