Degree Requirements
The first two years of the program are similar to traditional engineering disciplines. Thereafter, one takes a series of courses that introduce Energy Engineering concepts. Fundamental energy engineering principles involve material and energy balances, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer operations, and physical and chemical processing as applied to energy industries. In addition to these engineering principles, students enroll in required courses in renewable/sustainable energy principles. Students will be trained in basic chemistry of fuels - coal, petroleum, natural gas and biomass; combustion; petroleum and natural gas processing; electrochemical energy conversion; and energy conversion processes including chemical, nuclear, biological and catalytic. Students also choose departmental electives from courses such as green energy engineering and environmental compliance, hydrogen and fuel cell technology, materials for energy applications, physical processes in energy engineering, and air pollutants from combustion sources. Professional electives allow students to gain exposure to business, legal and ethical issues related to energy. Technical electives can be chosen to provide specialization or breadth and depth in renewable or non-renewable energy and/or mechanical or chemical aspects of energy.
Students will also have opportunities to conduct independent research and participate in capstone design team projects with students from other engineering disciplines.
For the B.S. degree in Energy Engineering, a minimum of 131 credits is required.
- General Education: 45 credits
- (30 of these 45 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
- (See description of General Education in front of Bulletin.)
- First Year Seminar:
- (Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
- United States Cultures and International Cultures
- (Included in GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)
- Writing Across the Curriculum
- (Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
- Requirements for the Major: 101 credits
- (This includes 30 credits of General Education courses: 3 credits of GH courses; 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses; 3 credits of GS courses; 9 credits of GWS courses.)
- Prescribed Courses: 89 credits
- CHEM 110 GN(3), CHEM 111 GN(1), CHEM 112 GN(3), EM SC 100S GWS(3)+ , MATH 140 GQ(4), MATH 141 GQ(4), PHYS 211 GN(4) (Sem: 1-2)
- CHEM 210(3), E E 220(3), MATH 231(2), MATH 251(4), PHIL 103 GH(3), PHYS 212 GN(4) (Sem: 3-4)
- EGEE 012(1), EGEE 301(6)*, EGEE 302(3)*, EGEE 304(3)*, EGEE 410(3)*, EGEE 430(3)*, EGEE 438(3)*, F SC 431(3), MATSE 201(3) (Sem: 5-6)
- ENGL 202C GWS(3), EGEE 437(3), EGEE 441(3)*, EGEE 451(3)*, EGEE 464W(3)*, EGEE 494(2)*, F SC 432(3) (Sem: 7-8)
- *A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.
- + The following substitutions are allowed for students attending campuses where the indicated course is not offered: CAS 100 GWS can be substituted for EM SC 100S GWS; and an appropriate electrical circuits course may be approved as a substitute for EE 220.
- Additional Courses: 12 credits
- ECON 002 GS(3) or ECON 014 GS(3) or ENNEC 100 GS(3); ENGL 015 GWS(3) or ENGL 030 GWS(3) (Sem: 1-2)
- CMPSC 201 GQ(3) or CMPSC 202 GQ(3) or EM SC 468(3) (Sem: 3-4)
- I E 302(3) or P N G 489(3) (Sem: 7-8)
- Supporting Courses and Related Areas: 15 credits
- Select 3 credits of EGEE electives from an approved list in consultation with an adviser.
- Select 6 credits of professional courses from an approved list in consultation with an adviser. Other substitutions outside the approved list must be approved by petition.
- Select 6 credits of technical electives from a broad list of energy related courses across colleges at Penn State. A list of suggested courses from energy-related departments at Penn State is provided. (Students may apply 6 credits of ROTC to some of the elective choices.) (Sem: 7-8)
A list of all the required courses for the program are available on the Recommended Academic Plan/Scheduling Guide for Energy Engineering.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Energy Engineering program will acquire:
- an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
- an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
- an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs
- an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
- an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
- an ability to communicate effectively
- the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context
- a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
- knowledge of contemporary issues
- an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
ABET Accreditation
This program will seek accreditation as a General Engineering Program by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET in the near future. It is not currently accredited.