Development of a Multidisciplinary Nuclear Security Education Program at Purdue University

In 2016, Purdue University embarked on several initiatives to build its programs in nuclear security. This commitment to develop and expand these programs has been aided by a number of opportunities. First, the university created the Institute for Global Security and Defense Innovation (i-GSDI). The institute is part of Discovery Park, a complex of facilities that provides open, collaborative research environments where interdisciplinary projects are connected throughout Purdue, Purdue Research Park and the world. The mission of i-GSDI is to converge Purdue's interdisciplinary resources to bring timely, responsive and transformative solutions to the most pressing security and defense challenges facing the nation and the world. Next, the School of Health Sciences, the School of Nuclear Engineering and the Department of Political Science came together to work with the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) Office of Radiological Security (NA-212), Nuclear Security Education (NSE) program to establish a nuclear security education program at Purdue. The program involves creating and delivering seven courses in nuclear security. As part of this, a nuclear security concentration in health physics, a nuclear security major in nuclear engineering, and a policy graduate program in security with a nuclear security track are being developed. In addition, an online graduate certificate in nuclear security is underway. The university has also partnered with the Department of State’s Partnership for Nuclear Threat Reduction (PNTR). Researchers are working on nuclear security engagements in a number of countries including Turkey and India. Finally, Purdue University has become a partner of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supported Master in Nuclear Security (MiNS) program offered through Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences. The culmination of these efforts has led to the creation of Purdue’s Center for Radiological and Nuclear Security (CRANS). This center will focus on integrating these efforts, along with strengthening Purdue’s nuclear security education, research, and engagement. With the development of these educational programs, the creation of strategic partnerships and initiatives, and the investment of resources into capacity building, Purdue hopes to become a leader in nuclear security education and research.