Sustainable Energy covers the full range of sustainable energy options and technologies today and those projected to potentially play a role in the future. There is widespread discussion in society about an ongoing energy transformation from traditional fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources, including solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and other sources. A key rationale for this transition lies in the concern about the formidable societal challenge that climate change poses for society.
Fortunately, this transformation of our energy sector is well underway, domestically, and internationally, with substantial increases in deployment of renewable energy across Europe, the US, China, and developing countries. Yet the identification of what is sustainable is complicated. For example, forest-based biomass energy is considered carbon neutral by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change accounting methods, yet is heavily debated by policy makers in the US and Europe. In Ohio, the proposed expansion of wind and solar has raised many questions about land use, community decision-making, and local externalities.
The Certificate in Sustainable Energy and the Economy is a 13-credit undergraduate program that will help current and future professionals understand the emerging sustainable energy sector and learn skills to evaluate the benefits, costs, and sustainability elements of a range of energy options and choices. By combining the required and elective courses, students will gain critical analytical skills that will help them enter the sustainable energy sector and advance their careers.
Those completing the certificate will be able to analyze the economics of sustainable energy alternatives, including solar, wind, geothermal, nuclear, fossil-based energy with offsets or carbon capture and storage, as well as emerging energy sources like hydrogen. This certificate also will provide individuals in a variety of majors and professions, with important economic and business skills to assess within the broader context of the sustainability of various energy sector alternatives.
Curriculum
The Certificate in Sustainable Energy and the Economy is a 4-course, 13-credit program.
Want to learn more? Contact Dr. Brent Sohngen, Professor
Ready to apply? Schedule time with Jamel Chamberlain, Academic Advisor