Printer FriendlyThe master of science in energy engineering concentration represents a unique multidisciplinary program that is administered jointly by the Mechanical Engineering Department and the Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Department. The energy engineering program has two master's degree options: solar engineering and nuclear engineering.
The program prepares students to perform state-of-the-art engineering work on energy systems by achieving a balance between hands-on experience and theory. Energy engineering draws students from all branches of engineering, physics, mathematics, and economics.
Thesis and Non-Thesis Requirements
Participants in the program may elect to follow a thesis or non-thesis option. The thesis option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours: 24 credit hours of course work plus six credit hours of thesis research. A thesis must be defended in an oral examination conducted by the student’s thesis committee. The non-thesis option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours: 27 credit hours of course work plus three credit hours of project work (Master’s Project 24.733).
Course Requirements
Students must take a series of core courses appropriate for the area of specialization. The exact makeup of the student's curriculum will be guided and approved by the Graduate Committee of the Energy Engineering program. All students working toward the Master of Science degree in Energy Engineering must take the following courses:
24.504 Energy Engineering Workshop
24.509 System Dynamics, and
10.528 Advanced Transport Phenomena
For the Solar Option, the following are required:
22.521 Fundamentals of Solar Thermal Utilization
22.527 Solar Systems Engineering
The following courses are required for the Nuclear Option:
24.505 Nuclear Reactor Physics
24.507 Nuclear Reactor Engineering Analysis
In addition to the course and credit requirements described above, all students working toward the master of science degree are required to participate in the Graduate Research Seminar, 24.601/602. The remainder of the course requirements is to be made up of elective courses, approved by the appropriate graduate coordinator.
Elective Courses
The following courses have been taken as electives but choice is not restricted to these:
16.513 Control Systems
16.528 Alternative Energy Systems
16.529 Electric/Hybrid Vehicles
18.527 Energy and the Environment
18.527 Environmental Laws
18.580 Implementation of Environmental Policy
22.524 Special Topics Solar Engineering
22.543 Convective Heat and Mass Transfer
22.544 Conduction and Radiative Heat Transfer
22.573 Manufacturing Systems
22.581 Advanced Fluid Mechanics
24.506 Special Topics in Nuclear Reactor Physics
24.508 Special topics in Nuclear Reactor Engineering
24.514 Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Management
24.522 Nuclear Materials
24.539 Math Methods for Engineers
Click here to visit the Energy Engineering Website