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

EBGN 310 Environmental And Resource Economics
HASS 419 Environmental Communication
HASS 421 Environmental Philososphy And Policy
HASS 464 History Of Energy And The Environment
HASS 487 Environmental Politics & Policy
PEGN 430 Environmental Law & Sustainability

ALL ENERGY SOURCES

CBEN 472 Introduction To Energy Technologies
CHGN 311 Intro To Nanoscience And Nanotechnology
EENG 389 Fundamentals Of Electric Machinery
EENG 390 Energy, Electricity, Renewable Energy, And Electric Power Grid
EENG 480 Power Systems Analysis
EENG 481 Analysis & Design Of Advanced Energy Systems
EENG 489 Computational Methods In Energy Systems & Power Electronics
PEGN 450 Energy Engineering

NUCLEAR ENERGY

ENGY 340 Nuclear Energy
ENGY 475 Introduction To Nuclear Energy
NUGN 506 Nuclear Fuel Cycle
NUGN 510 Introduction To Nuclear Reactor Physics

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

CBEN 372 Introduction To Bioenergy
CBEN 469 Fuel Cell Science And Technology
CEEN 477 Sustainable Engineering Design
CEEN 501 Life Cycle Assessment
EENG 475 Interconnectoin Of Renewable Energy, Intergrated Power Electronics, Power Systems And Power Quality
EENG 589 Design And Control Of Wind Energy Systems
ENGY 320 Renewable Energy
ENGY 350 Geothermal Energy

FOSSIL FUELS

CBEN 480 Natural Gas Hydrates
ENGY 310 Fossil Energy
GEOL 315 Sedimentology And Stratigraphy
PEGN 251 Fluid Mechanics
PEGN 305 Computational Methods In Petro. Eng.
PEGN 308 Reservoir Rock Properties