The program in Energy Studies offers students an interdisciplinary approach to the study of energy, its role in society, and its role in the environment.  While not a major, courses applied toward requirements for Energy Studies may also be counted toward requirements in other programs, majors, or minors. The program encourages students to examine the topic of energy from many different perspectives such as technical, economic, political, and ethical perspective.  The program culminates in an internship or research experience in a field related to energy.

Coordinator

G. Mackay Salley, Physics

Students will complete Phys 121 or 141 and choose three courses from an approved list that have a significant component involving the topic of energy from a list of approved courses. The program culminates in an internship or research experience in a field related to energy.  Once a student has completed at least two program courses, the student must meet with an energy program advisor and the Internship Coordinator at “The Space”.  The student will work with the advisor and coordinator to create an internship or find a research opportunity.  Typically this internship or research activity will occur in the summer of the student’s junior year, however, this work could also occur during the regular semester or during another summer.  Work in this internship will lead to the completion of INTR 301 and/or INTR 401, each taken for 1 credit. The internship course also requires an acceptable final project paper, documenting what the student learned during the experience.

(Special Topics (280 or 480) courses can also be applied to the program with permission from the program coordinator)  

Program Requirements