The Nuclear Engineering Program (PEN) at COPPE and the Nuclear Engineering Department (DNC) at the School of Engineering have been operating in an integrated manner since 1972. Faculty members are involved in both graduate (PEN) and undergraduate (DNC) programs, always promoting teaching and research in an inseparable way.

In accordance with PEN's mission and objectives, as well as the program's transdisciplinary nature, the Curriculum Structure is associated with concentration areas and the research lines of PEN faculty members. The program offers the attainment of a Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degrees for candidates with a bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering and/or related fields, with the possibility to choose the concentration area of their research.

The Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute of Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering (COPPE), at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, is one of the largest centers for engineering education and research in Latin America. Founded in 1963 by engineer Alberto Luiz Coimbra, it played a significant role in the creation of postgraduate education in Brazil and has, until 2022, graduated 18,377 masters and doctors in its 13 Stricto Sensu postgraduate programs (master's and doctorate).

Supported by three pillars – academic excellence, exclusive dedication of faculty and students, and engagement with society – COPPE is a center for knowledge production and dissemination, qualified professionals, and teaching methods. Its standards of quality in education, research, and interaction with society have been adopted as models by universities and research institutes across the country.

It is the Brazilian engineering institution with the highest number of maximum ratings granted by CAPES to courses with performance equivalent to those of the most important teaching and research centers in the world. Ten of its thirteen master's and doctoral programs were evaluated with concepts of international excellence (6 and 7).

COPPE annually graduates more than 500 masters and doctors. Its students are prepared to deal with cutting-edge knowledge without losing touch with the reality and demands of society..