Energy Technology Certificate

Offered every term. Nature of business enterprise; role of business in society; problems confronting business management; career opportunities in business. Open to non-business majors and business majors of freshman or sophomore standing only. Business majors are advised to register for the course their freshman year. Credit allowed for only one of BGEN 105S, MIS 100S, IS 100S, BADM 100S and BUS 103S.

Offered autumn and spring. M 090 or ALEKS score >2 recommended prior to taking course. An introduction to direct current (DC) and analysis of series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits. Topics include electrical quantities, units of measurement, measurement instruments, resistors, current, voltage, power, energy, network theorems, equivalent circuits, magnetism, and electromagnetism. Laboratory experiments include circuit analysis; the proper use of measurement equipment and techniques; and troubleshooting.

Offered autumn and spring. Analysis of alternating current (AC) circuits and the behavior of capacitors, inductors, reactance, impedance, transformers, and signal filters. Laboratory experiments include circuit analysis, the use of proper measurement equipment, and troubleshooting.

Offered autumn. Prereq/Co-req., ETEC 105. Covers proper techniques of soldering and tool usage. Electronic technical language, hands on troubleshooting skills and basic electronic measurements are involved.

Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 095 or ALEKS placement >= 4. Intended to strengthen algebra skills. The study of functions and their inverses; polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Credit not allowed for both M 121, and M 151.

Offered autumn. General Science Elective. A survey of traditional energy systems and technologies. Introduces conventional primary energy sources--coal, oil, gas, nuclear--and examines the technologies used to capture, convert, distribute, store, and utilize these energy sources. Consideration is given to physical and engineering aspects, as well as economic, social environmental, and political factors that determine the sustainability of these sources.

Offered summer only. Prereq., NRGY 101, M 121 or consent of instructor. Same as CCS 191. The practicum provides students with a supervised field experience. Students will gain hands-on experience with energy specific technologies in a fast-paced creative environment. This course increases students' occupational awareness and professionalism.

Offered spring. Prereq., EET 106, NRGY 101, and M 121, or consent of instructor. Studies storage and transport methods of different types of energy. Explores emergent technologies and mechanisms designed to enhance efficiency and safety, including ‘smart grid' technologies; assesses relative social, economic and environmental merits of each type of energy system in terms of its storage and distribution.

Offered every term. Prereq., M 121 and consent of instructor. Same as CCS 298. Extended classroom experience providing practical application of classroom learning through on the job training in a student's field of study. This experience increases student skills, prepares them for initial employment, and increases occupational awareness and professionalism.

UM: Offered every term. Prereq., WRIT 095 or proof of passing score on writing diagnostic examination, referral by WRIT 095 instructor-SAT writing score at or above 440, MUSWA at or above 3.5, SAT/ACT essay score at or above 7, or ACT Combined English/Writing score at or above 18. Expository prose and research paper; emphasis on structure, argument, development of ideas, clarity, style, and diction. Students expected to write without major faults in grammar or usage. Credit not allowed for both WRIT 101 and COM 101. Grading A-F, or NC (no credit). MC: Offered every term. Prereq., WRIT 095 or proof of appropriate SAT/ACT essay, English/Writing, writing section scores, appropriate MUSWA scores, or proof of passing scores on Writing Placement Exam). Expository prose and research paper; emphasis on structure, argument, development of ideas, clarity, style, and diction. Students expected to write without major faults in grammar or usage. Grading A-F, or NC (no credit).

Offered autumn.  A broad introduction to the basic principles and concepts related to the exploration for, the composition of, and the utilization of fossil fuels (coal, coal bed methane, natural gas, and oil).  Environmental issues related to fossil fuel development and utilization are also addressed.

Offered autumn. Prereq., NRGY 101, M 121. Identifies alternative fuel sources; explores fuel characteristics; identifies and evaluates the infrastructure required to produce, store, distribute, and use them; discusses emission and conversion efficiencies; assesses social, environmental, and economic impacts.

Offered autumn. Prereq., NRGY 101, M 121, Prereq., or Co-req., M 122. Same as CCS 242. Introduction to the fundamentals of solar and wind energy for the design and installation of solar thermal and wind systems. Includes an overview of the physics and chemistry of the resource and the technology, and will prepare students for a career in renewable energy or for installing a renewable energy system on their own home. Credit given for NRG 242 or CCS 242, not both.

Offered spring. Prereq., M 121, Prereq./Co-req., ETEC 105. An introduction to the fundamental principles and technologies of solar photovoltaic energy systems. Emphasis on system design and installation, including site and resource assessment, load analysis, troubleshooting, and cost analysis. The material covered prepares students for a career in renewable energy or for installing a renewable energy system on their own home.

Offered spring. Prereqs., SCN 175N, M 121 and NRGY 102, or consent of instructor. Investigates the physical nature of various biorenewable resources and the technologies currently employed to produce, harvest, refine and convert these into useable energy, feedstocks and products.

Offered spring. Prereq., NRGY 101, M 121. An introduction to the different types of fuel cells (hydrogen, biological, metal/air, proton exchange membrane, etc.) accompanied by a critical examination of their applications, operation, efficiencies, advantages and disadvantages. Students must purchase a fuel cell kit for a laboratory component.

Offered Autumn. Prereqs., NRGY 101, M 121, and NGRY 102. An introduction to the physical and technical aspects of geothermal energy systems. Topics covered include the fundamental principles of geology and hydrology, heat flow mechanisms, and a consideration of heat exchange systems including: dry steam, flash, binary systems, heat pumps, passive systems. The course also surveys political, economic, ecological, and social aspects of geothermal energy development.

Offered summer. An introduction to the terminology, policies, and mathematical models for financing energy technology projects. Concepts covered include time value of money, tax code, triple bottom line, and cost-benefit analysis. Microsoft Excel will be used.

Offered every term. Preq., consent of instr. Independent research under the direction of a faculty member.

(R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of Energy Technology faculty and visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

(R-6) Offered intermittently. Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student.

(R-9) Offered spring and autumn. Students participate in an energy technology design, building, testing, and competition. Previous examples include participation in the Shell EcoMarathon and the American Society of Mechanical Engineering Human Powered Vehicle Challenge. This course is very time intensive and will require meetings outside of regularly scheduled class times. Travel to competition is strongly encouraged, but not required.