There are not many of us out there
The RPI LINAC: Much time spent in this building, a treacherous walk behind APhi.
Long times in the NES and deep dicussions.
P with a Pu-239 sample. S-tier isotope; NMP's beautiful cooling tower. Never got old.
1. Radiological Engineering (Fritz)
Clinically the coolest class. You learn about how radiation effects the body,
all the different units (gray, X, Roentgen, rem (yay), Sievert (bleh)). Lots
of stuff is conceptual and fact-based knowledge, and you get a real intuition
on radiological hazards and what is "bad."
2. LINAC Lab (Danon)
Imagine the vagueness of Danon but now you're using a particle accelerator every week. Yea
he definitely leaves you alone but it kinda forces you to ask questions and as hard as it is
it's literally the coolest thing to use a fucking particle accelerator and crunch data from
it. You'll definitely be fustrated at what he expects but using knowledge from NIM feels very
good.
3. NIM (Fritz)
Love those GM counters, and all those gas-filled chambers. Only caveat is that
we barely got to see/use these devices. If we did it'd be maximum awesome.
The Pioneers suffering through MCNP
4. Phenom (Liu)
Here we have a very smooth course that I think successfully introduces you to all
basic nuclear concepts. Very good as a first semester sophomore, but I argue it's
too sleeper because Fundies will hit you like a train. Also Liu is an angel but
might not teach the course again ):
5. Applied Reactor Analysis aka PNR exploded (Ji)
Taking this at the 6000, not much difference. No exams is crazy, but it means the homeworks
cost so much more. First few were sleeper, but as you go on you get a much better feel
for many nuclear programs like MCNP, Scarabee, and lots of JANIS. Feel very cool using JANIS.
6. PNR aka Fundies 2.0 (Danon)
Can't deny, neutronics can be very interesting, just some homeworks were sinister.
Deriving simply is NOT it. You'll see resonance integrals when you close your eyes
for the whole semester. Nonetheless this class is iconic, and if Danon still is
teaching this whenever you are reading this, may he have mercy.
7. Fundies (Kang)
Look Kang is very nice but sadly the content was bonkers compared to Phenom the
semester before. However, it was the first actual nuclear that felt like "yea,
this is gonna be really cool." Best homework ever from a class: Deisgn a nuclear
reactor.
8. INE (Malaviya)
Can't remember how many times Malaviya showed up, but he was an absolute angel and so
sweet and we love him. Having all the NukE teachers present is nice, but when you're a
Freshman chances are you have no idea what they are talking about when they discuss their
research. P.S. this was Malaviya's last time teaching, as he has served for a quarter of
RPI's 200 year history. DANON was thaught by him, and HE thought he was old back then!!
9. Nuclear Mat Sci (Lian)
WARNING: TAKE AT YOUR OWN RISK. This class should require pre-reqs, but it doesn't for
some reason. Don't take this as a freshman like me. Please.
Kept the only 60s chair to survive escaping the
LINAC when they were replaced April 2026.