Energy Technology A.A.S.

Bradley Layton, Program Director

Students in the Energy Technology program are introduced to the full suite of energy sources and technologies. Graduates will be general practitioners that are equipped with skills in design, installation, and maintenance of diverse energy technologies and systems; sales, operations, and management; regulatory compliance; basic electricity and power systems; energy storage and distribution; site assessment; basic energy economics; efficiency and conservation strategies; and project management. Students may enter the program in either autumn or spring term. Further information can be found at http://ace.mc.umt.edu/nrg/.

Associate of Applied Science - Energy Technology

Missoula College

Catalog Year: 2016-2017

Degree Specific Credits: 69

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0


Energy Technology Core Requirements

Rule: All courses are required

Note: WRIT 121 Technical Writing may be substituted for WRIT 101 at the discretion of the program director based on future career and educational goals.
BGEN 160S Issue in Sustainability may be substituted for BGEN 105S at the discretion of the program director.
ETEC 214 Energy Storage and Distribution may be substituted for ETEC 213 at the discretion of the program director.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description BGEN 105S - Introduction to Business
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.
3 Credits
Show Description CSCI 172 - Intro to Computer Modeling
Offered autumn and spring. Problem solving and data modeling using computer productivity software. Emphasis using spreadsheets and database for data analysis. Credit not allowed for CSCI 172, CRT 172, and CS 172.
3 Credits
Show Description ETEC 105 - DC Circuit Analysis
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.
4 Credits
Show Description ETEC 106 - AC Circuit Analysis
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.
3 Credits
Show Description ETEC 113 - Circuits Lab
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.
1 Credits
Show Description ETEC 213 - Power Systems Technology
Offered spring. Prereq., ETEC 106, M 121, Prereq/Co-req., M 122. A review of the principles of electricity, magnetism, and transformer action; the application of these principles in the operation of single-phase and three-phase ac/de motors, alternators, and generators; and the control methods for these electrical devices.
3 Credits
Show Description ITS 221 - Project Management
Offered autumn. Prereq., CSCI 172.  Investigation of topics in project management including scope, definition, risk, procurement and the RFP.  Management of time, cost, quality, and human resources.  Concepts are reinforced with PM software.
3 Credits
Show Description M 121 - College Algebra
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.
3 Credits
Show Description M 122 - College Trigonometry
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 121 or ALEKS placement >= 4. Preparation for calculus based on college algebra. Review of functions and their inverses. Trigonometric functions and identities, polar coordinates and an optional topic such as complex numbers, vectors or parametric equations. Credit not allowed for both M 122 and M 151.
3 Credits
Show Description NRGY 101N - Intro to Sustainable Energy
Offered autumn. 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.
3 Credits
Show Description NRGY 102 - Intro to Sustainable Energy II
Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq., NRGY 101 or consent of instructor.  Same as CCS 102.  A survey of renewable energy systems and technologies.  Addresses physical and technical aspects of wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, tidal, biological, and wave energy systems.  Consideration is given to engineering, economic, social, environmental, and political factors that determine implementation and sustainability.  Credit not allowed for both NRG 102 and CCS 102.
3 Credits
Show Description NRGY 195 - Practicum
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.
2 Credits
Show Description NRGY 235 - Building Energy Efficiency
Offered Spring. Prereq., NRGY 101. Provides an overview of energy efficiency opportunities in residential buildings with an emphasis on the Passivhaus standard. Prepares the student to take the National RESNET Home Energy Rater Exam, which is a required final exam. Local home and industry tours, and hands-on exposure to HVAC controls and maintenance are also offered. Study of the analysis techniques used for reduction of energy consumption and energy management, including energy accounting and energy auditing. Residential and commercial building energy efficiency opportunities will be covered. Other topics addressed include motors, pumps, green building, and purchasing energy supplies. Career opportunities in energy efficiency will be discussed. Several local tours of energy-efficient homes will occur throughout the semester.
3 Credits
Show Description NRGY 298 - Internship
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.
2 Credits
Show Description WRIT 101 - College Writing I
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).
3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 51 Total Credits Required

Energy Technology Science Requirements

Rule: Take 3 credits

Note: ENSC 105N Environmental Science may be substituted for SCN 176N at the discretion of the program director based on future career and educational goals.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description SCN 175N - Integrated Physical Science I
Offered every term. An introduction to the basic principles of physics, chemistry, and nuclear reactions with emphasis on the scientific method and process. A knowledge of basic algebraic functions, decimals, and scientific notation is recommended. Suitable for students with little science background.
3 Credits
Show Description SCN 176N - Integrated Phys. Science II
Offered spring term intermittently. An introduction to the fundamental principles of environmental and earth sciences. Course emphasizes the scientific method and process of science.
3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Energy Electives

Rule: Take 15 credits

Note: 3 credits of a general elective may be substituted in place of 3 credits of energy electives. This substitution must be approved by the program director.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description NRGY 241 - Alternative Fuels
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.
3 Credits
Show Description NRGY 242 - Solar Thermal & Wind Systems
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.
3 Credits
Show Description NRGY 243 - Fundmtl PV Design & Install
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.
3 Credits
Show Description NRGY 244 - Bioenergy
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.
3 Credits
Show Description NRGY 245 - Fuel Cells
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.
3 Credits
Show Description NRGY 246 - Geothermal Energy Technology
Offered Autumn. Prereqs., NRGY 101 and 102 and M 121. 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.
3 Credits
Show Description NRGY 250 - Energy Finance
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.
3 Credits
Show Description NRGY 270 - Recycling Technology
Prereq., Familiarity with general materials and their properties is assumed. Students must possess basic word processing skills, be able to download and open relatively large PDF files, and perform functions such as loading software and navigating between folders and files. Familiarity with basic computing skills is a must for online courses and will significantly influence your course experience. Provides an overview of recycling opportunities at both the residential and industrial scale. Prepares the student to work with a variety of materials including cellulosic, plastic, metal, glass and electronics waste. Students will be exposed to ANSI-IREC standards as well as LEED standards for repurposing and “upcycling” materials. Local home and industry tours, and hands-on exposure to materials processors such as glass pulverizer, cardboard grinders and plastics extruders will be part of the course. Study of efficiency techniques used for reduction of virgin material consumption and waste management, including materials auditing and accessing international materials reclamation will be included. Career opportunities in a variety of industries related to materials reclamation will be discussed. Possible projects include the building of a solar thermal forge.
4 Credits
Show Description NRGY 290 - Undergraduate Research
Offered every term. Preq., consent of instr. Independent research under the direction of a faculty member.
1 To 10 Credits
Show Description NRGY 291 - Special Topics
(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.
1 To 4 Credits
Show Description NRGY 292 - Independent Study
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student.
1 To 9 Credits
Show Description NRGY 299 - Energy Technology Capstone
(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.
3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 15 Total Credits Required