Sustainable Energy Systems Minor

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

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Two students and instructor looking at solar panels.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Michael Twedt, Senior Lecturer
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Crothers Engineering Hall 226, Box 2219
605-688-4303

Program Information

The Sustainable Energy Systems Minor is appropriate for students interested in gaining a background in sustainability, energy efficiency, and renewable energy technologies. The minor helps to prepare graduates with training that distinguishes them from their peers and supports immediate entry into careers in energy resource development, energy production, and efficient end-use technologies.

Course Delivery Format

Competence in Sustainable Energy Systems requires both study and practice. Instruction occurs through a combination of traditional classroom methods, laboratory exercises using contemporary engineering technologies, internship/research experiences and focused design projects.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing the minor must understand how energy is produced, the fundamentals of energy conversion and efficiency, and demonstrate technical expertise in some area of sustainable energy systems. Upon completion of the minor, the student will be able to:

apply mathematics and engineering science to the analysis of energy conversion systems.
understand and apply the concept of sustainability to the design of energy conversion systems.
demonstrate competency in analysis and design of a particular type of energy converting device or system.
demonstrate the ability to work effectively in an area of sustainable energy systems.

Requirements for Sustainable Energy Systems Minor: 18 Credits

ME 311 - Thermodynamics I Credits: 3
or ME 314 - Thermodynamics Credits: 3
or PHYS 341 - Thermodynamics (COM) Credits: 2
ME 416 - Renewable Energy Systems Credits: 3
ME 478 - Mechanical Systems Design I Credits: 3 ¹
ME 479 - Mechanical Systems Design II (COM) Credits: 3 ¹

Internship or Undergraduate Research/Scholarship Experience

The internship or Undergraduate Research/Scholarship experience must be a sustainable energy systems application approved by the Coordinator of the Minor. Credits: 2-3

ABE 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-6
ABE 498 - Research (COM) Credits: 1-3
EE 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-3
EE 498 - Research (COM) Credits: 1-3
ME 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-3
ME 498 - Research (COM) Credits: 1-3
PHYS 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-4
PHYS 498 - Research (COM) Credits: 1-12

Electives

ABE 444 - Unit Operations of Biological Materials Processing Credits: 3
ABE 444L - Unit Operations of Biological Materials Processing Lab Credits: 1
EE 430 - Electromechanical Systems Credits: 3
EE 430L - Electromechanical Systems Lab Credits: 1
EE 434 - Power Systems Credits: 3
EE 434L - Power Systems Lab Credits: 1
EE 436 - Photovoltaic Systems Engineering Credits: 3
EE 436L - Photovoltaic Systems Engineering Lab Credits: 1
ME 410 - Principles of HVAC Engineering Credits: 3
ME 412 - Internal Combustion Engines Credits: 3
ME 413 - Turbomachinery Credits: 3
ME 414 - Air Pollution Control Credits: 3
ME 415 - Heat Transfer Credits: 3
ME 418 - Design of Thermal Systems Credits: 3
ME 431 - Aerodynamics Credits: 3
ME 439 - HVAC System Design Credits: 3
NE 435 - Introduction to Nuclear Engineering Credits: 3
PHYS 331 - Introduction to Modern Physics (COM) Credits: 3

Total Required Credits: 18

Notes

¹Project or experience must focus on sustainable energy systems and must be approved by the program coordinator. Senior capstone design projects with ABE, EE, or PHYS prefix will also satisfy the capstone project requirement.