Curriculum
CORE COURSES
All Energy Minors must take ENGY 200, EBGN 330/ENGY 330, and one of the listed policy courses. Some special topics courses offered by HASS (HASS 498) might also fit the policy requirements. For descriptions of core and elective courses, see the energy minor catalog: https://catalog.mines.edu/undergraduate/interdisciplinaryminors/energy/#minortext
Introduction to Energy (ENGY 200)
Survey of human-produced energy technologies including steam, hydro, fossil (petroleum, coal, and unconventionals), geothermal, wind, solar, biofuels, nuclear, and fuel cells. Current and possible future energy transmission and efficiency. Evaluation of different energy sources in terms of a feasibility matrix of technical, economic, environmental, and political aspects. 3 hours lecture; 3 semester hours.
ENERGY ECONOMICS (EBGN 330/ENGY 330)
Study of economic theories of optimal resource extraction, market power, market failure, regulation, deregulation, technological change and resource scarcity. Economic tools used to analyze OPEC, energy mergers, natural gas price controls and deregulation, electric utility restructuring, energy taxes, environmental impacts of energy use, government R&D programs, and other energy topics. Prerequisite: EBGN201.
ENERGY AND SOCIETY (HASS 490)
(I,II) An interdisciplinary capstone seminar that explores a spectrum of approaches to the understanding, planning, and implementation of energy production and use, including those typical of diverse private and public (national and international) corporations, organizations, states, and agencies. Aspects of global energy policy that may be considered include the historical, social, cultural, economic, ethical, political, and environmental aspects of energy together with comparative methodologies and assessments of diverse forms of energy development as these affect particular communities and societies. Prerequisite: HASS100. Corequisite: HASS200. 3 hours lecture; 3 semester hours.
ENERGY POLITICS (HASS 491)
(I, II, S) (WI) We will use political science approaches, theories, and methods to investigate the global, regional, state, and local politics of renewable and non-renewable energy, spanning all uses: transportation, heating and cooling, and electricity. We will look at the politics behind energy in a subset of countries to be chosen by the class, such as China, Brazil, India, Austria, Spain, Venezuela, and Germany. We will then focus on energy in Colorado and other US states, conducting primary research on the stakeholders and the relevant political outcomes. We will hear from energy companies, non-governmental organizations, university and research entities, government representatives, legislators, and local activists. Prerequisite: HASS100. Corequisite: HASS200. 3 hours lecture; 3 semester hours.
ELECTIVES BY AREA OF FOCUS
Students must take at least 3 elective courses worth 9 credit-hours. Students may select across the focus areas and consult program directors if there is a question regarding if a course counts towards the energy minor. Additional courses with energy content may be approved by the director or co-director of the energy minor (ENGY XXX).
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND LAW
ALL ENERGY SOURCES
CBEN 315 Introduction to Electrochemical Energy
CBEN 469 Fuel Science and Fuel Technology
CBEN 472 Introduction to Energy Techonologies
EENG 389 Fundamentals of Electric Machinery
EENG 481 Analysis and Design of Advanced Energy Systems
EENG 489 Computational Methods in Energy Systems and Power Electronics
ENGY 298 Energy Modeling for Building Science
ENGY497 Summer Programs
ENGY 498 Special Topics
GEOL 315 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
NUCLEAR ENERGY
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
CBEN 372 Introduction to Bioenergy
CBEN 477 Sustainable Engineering Design
CEEN 501 Life Cycle Assessment
CHGN 311 Introduction to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
EENG 390 Energy, Electricity, Renewable Energy, and Electric Power Grid
EENG 472 Practical Design of Small Renewable Energy Systems
EENG 475 Interconnection of Renewable Energy, Integrated Power Electronics, Power Systems, and Power Quality
EENG 589 Design and Control of Wind Energy Systems
ENGY 320 Introduction to Renewable Energy
ENGY 350 Geothermal Energy
PHGN 419 Principles of Solar Energy Systems