Renewable Energy Minor

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• Introduction
• Department
• Requirements
• New Courses for Fall 2009

Background

The mission of the George Mason University Renewable Energy minor is to provide a sound scientific education in renewable energy that will prepare students for graduate studies and research, employment opportunities and a socially and environmentally responsible lifestyle. This college-wide interdisciplinary minor administered by the Physics and Astronomy Department is designed for students seeking education for careers in the field of renewable energy or as preparation for graduate work in a wide range of academic disciplines Renewable energy, as normally understood, includes a variety of methods of energy generation, including solar, wind, hydropower, tidal power, geothermal, as well as energy storage methods, and energy conservation. According to some projections, employment opportunities in the renewable energy field could increase dramatically.

Employment

Jobs relating to renewable energy might be expected to lie in a wide range of areas including engineering, business, marketing, finance, installation, software, legal affairs, and research. Thus, students can prepare for such work with a major in a field such as engineering, business, basic science, and a minor in renewable energy.

Internships

The minor in renewable energy requires all students to complete an internship relating to energy, often during the summer before their senior year. Such internships can be a great entrée into well-paying career opportunities. Fortunately, the Greater DC Metropolitan area contains a large number of companies, universities, and professional associations that offer student internships that would be appropriate for students who have completed at least 2-3 years of the minor in renewable energy. In addition to these local internships, you should also not overlook the many internships available across the nation, mainly at universities, federally funded labs, and energy research centers. These opportunities are generally competitive, and they are often funded by the National Science Foundation or the Department of energy. Most of these national opportunities tend to be in scientific and engineering fields. They usually include a travel and housing allowance as well as a weekly stipend. Among the local opportunities, some are paid, and some are unpaid. Which ones might be most appropriate for you would depend on what you have majored in. Obviously, opportunities of a technical nature would be most appropriate for science or engineering majors, while others would be more appropriate for students who have majored in business or in public policy. Here is a list of some DC-area internships. Not every one of these area organizations is seeking someone immediately, but they all do work in the areas of renewable energy & energy conservation, and they have expressed a desire to take on Mason students as interns at some point. This web site has internship opportunities all over the country relating to renewable energy, which you may sort geographically. Intership FAQs

Learning Outcomes

At the time of completion of the minor, students will be able to

• Understand the basic principles of various renewable energy resources.
• Understand the economic and environmental trade-offs each form involves.
• Demonstrate a well-grounded understanding of the role renewable energy can play in solving societal problems
• Apply fundamental renewable energy concepts in a design project or on the job. Work collaboratively in interdisciplinary groups.

Program Requirements

The minor in renewable energy requires a total of 19 credits. The curriculum requirements for each concentration include these required courses listed below:

• CHEM 251 General Chemistry for Engineers (4) or both CHEM 211 & 212 General Chemistry I.II (8)
• MATH 113 Calculus I (4)
• PHYS 245 College Physics II, or PHYS 262 University Physics III (3)
• PHYS 331 Physics of Renewable Energy (3)
• PHYS 385/ CDS 385 Materials Science with renewable Energy Applications (3)
• An internship in one of the sciences or engineering on renewable energy (3)

New Courses

PHYS 331 Physics of Renewable Energy.

Prereq: PHYS 262 or 266, or PHYS 245 with a C or better in MATH 113. The course introduces the physical principles for a range of renewable energies, including, solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal. The course demonstrates how the application of methods and principles of physics allow us to understand the basic operation, advantages, limitations, and relative merits of various renewable energy sources. The course is mainly designed for students majoring in the sciences or engineering, but it should also be useful for students interested in science policy, business, global change, and sustainable development. Although physics majors may elect to take this course, and it does count towards the required 45 upper division hours, it does not satisfy the requirement for a minimum of 12 upper-level credits counting towards the physics major.

PHYS 385 / CDS 385 Materials Science with Applications to Renewable Energy.

Prereq: PHYS 262 or 266 or 245 and a C or better in MATH 113 Introduction to basic concepts and methods of materials science. Review of metallic alloys and compounds, ceramic materials, ionic solids, semiconductors, polymers, and nano-structured materials. Mechanical, thermal, electric, magnetic and optical properties of materials. Theoretical background and experimental methods of materials characterization. Various materials applications with emphasis on renewable energy.