Energy Minor Program

The discovery, production, and use of energy in modern societies has profound and far-reaching economic, political, and environmental effects. As energy is one of Mines’ core statutory missions, it is appropriate that Mines offer a program of study that not only addresses the scientific and technical aspects of energy production and use but its broader social impacts as well. The Energy Minor program is intended to provide engineering students with a deeper understanding of the complex role energy technology plays in modern societies by meeting the following learning objectives:

• Students will gain a broad understanding of the scientific, engineering, environmental, economic, political and social aspects of the production, delivery, and utilization of energy, in the US and abroad.
• Students will develop depth or breadth in their scientific and engineering understanding of energy technology.
• Students will be able to apply their knowledge of energy science and technology to societal problems requiring economic, scientific, and technical analysis and innovation, while working in a multidisciplinary environment and be able to communicate effectively the outcomes of their analyses in written and oral form.

The Minor in Energy requires a minimum of 18 credit hours of acceptable course work. All Energy Minors must take Introduction to Energy, ENGY 200, and Energy Economics, EBGN 330/ENGY 330, and one of three social science courses: Energy & Society (ENGY 490 or HASS 490), Energy Politics (HASS 491) or Energy & Security Policy (HASS 492). Up to 3 hours of coursework may be taken in the student’s degree-granting department. Students may double-count up to 9 credit hours for their degree and the Minor.  An outline of the course requirements can be found at: Energy Minor/ASI Curriculum.

The Area of Special Interest (ASI) in Energy requires a minimum of 12 credit hours of acceptable course work: ENGY 200, EBGN 330/ENGY 330 and two additional courses selected from the Energy-related course list. If a student identifies an energy focused class that they think should qualify for the Minor but is not approved, they should contact their advisor who can suggest to Dr. Hancock that the course be included in the electives. Classes must meet two criteria: (1) appropriate for non-majors (as well as majors) as evidenced by no more than two pre-reqs, including pre-reqs to the pre-reqs; and (2) have a strong focus on energy issues (~50+% of content).