George Mason University

College of Science

Contact: Prof. Robert Ehrlich (rehrlich@gmu.edu)

 
          Minor in Renewable Energy

 Last updated: March 3, 2009

Background  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.

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 211/212 General Chemistry I.II or CHEM 251 General Chemistry for Engineers (4)
  • MATH 113 Calculus I (3)
  • PHYS 245 College Physics II, or PHYS 262 University Physics III (3)
  • PHYS 331 Physics of Renewable Energy (3) (new course – first offering Spring 2010)
  • PHYS 385/ CDS 385 Materials Science with renewable Energy Applications (3) (new course – first offering Spring 2010)
  • 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. 

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