Dr. Thomas Downar

Professor

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Biography

Thomas Downar is a Professor Emeritus in Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences at the University of Michigan. He has extensive experience in the development of computational methods for solving problems in reactor physics analysis and reactor thermal hydraulics. His research interests encompass coupled field neutronics and thermal-hydraulics analysis, with applications in design analysis of reactor technologies. Downar’s academic journey includes a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Nuclear Engineering, where he was a Hertz Fellow, and significant contributions as a professor at several institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley, and Purdue University. He has held leadership roles like Chair of the Graduate Program in Nuclear Engineering and Co-Director of the Computer Research Institute at Purdue. His work has earned him multiple accolades, including Fellow status in the American Nuclear Society and various Teacher Awards, reflecting his commitment to education and research excellence in nuclear engineering.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2008-01-01 — Present

University of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI

Professor Emeritus, specializing in Nuclear Engineering.

Chair, Graduate Program

2009-01-01 — 2013-01-01

Nuclear Engineering Dept., Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI

Led the graduate program in Nuclear Engineering.

Professor

2007-01-01 — Present

University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA

Professorship in Nuclear Engineering.

Professor

1998-01-01 — 2006-01-01

Purdue University • West Lafayette, IN

Professorship in Nuclear Engineering.

Co-Director

2003-01-01 — 2006-01-01

Computer Research Institute, Purdue University • West Lafayette, IN

Co-Director overseeing research in computational applications.

Director

2001-01-01 — 2006-01-01

Computational Science Engineering Program, Purdue University • West Lafayette, IN

Directed the Computational Science Engineering Program.

Associate Professor

1990-01-01 — 1998-01-01

School of Nuclear Engineering, Purdue University • West Lafayette, IN

Associate Professor in the School of Nuclear Engineering.

Assistant Professor

1984-01-01 — 1990-01-01

School of Nuclear Engineering, Purdue University • West Lafayette, IN

Assistant Professor in the School of Nuclear Engineering.

Awards

#

Fellow

2002-01-01
#

Paper Award

1995-01-01
#

Teacher Award

1989-01-01
#

Hertz Fellow

1980-01-01
#

Teacher Award

1980-01-01
#

Distinguished Graduate

1974-01-01

Requirements for University of Michigan

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Total
Required:84
GRE General
Verbal
Required:155
Verbal Percentile
Required:50
Quantitative
Required:168
Quantitative Percentile
Required:50
Analytical Writing
Required:3.6
Writing Percentile
Required:50
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics Calculus Physics
Application Checklist
  • Rackham Graduate School Application
  • Official Transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal Statement
  • CV/Resume
Specialization Notes

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science