Energy Sciences Minor at the University of Nebraska-

Lincoln

October 9, 2007

Brief History• Development began as a College of

Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources minor in Renewable Energy Science

• The development committee submitted a proposal for funding to the NCESR

• Funding was approved with stipulation that the minor be a University-wide minor

• Currently developing the Energy Sciences minor with cooperation among three Colleges

Colleges

• Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

• Engineering

• Arts and Sciences

• Others?• Architecture

• Business Administration

• Journalism and Mass Communications

Energy Sciences Minor• Intended for students in all disciplines

• Generate enthusiasm and excitement for studying the science of energy

• Provide a minor for students interested in alternative energy sources, or management of energy resources

• Present the role and function of energy in society

• Explore environmental (and economic) challenges of energy production and use

• Attract students from many majors

Energy Sources• Conventional• Bioenergy

• biomass - plants• biogas – plant or animal waste

• Wind• Solar• Hydro• Geothermal• Nuclear• Conservation

Coordinating Committee• Agricultural Economics• Mechanized Systems Management• Electrical Engineering• Biological Systems Engineering• Agronomy and Horticulture• School of Natural Resources

• Ably assisted by Adam Liska, postdoc in Agronomy and Horticulture

Structure of Minor

• Will require 18 credit-hours

• Broad introductory core curriculum – 9 hours

• Higher-level, discipline-oriented electives – 9 hours

• “Enrichment” courses – up to 3 hours• These 3 hours can be substituted

for one of the higher-level electives

Energy in Perspective (3)

Introduction to

Energy Systems (3)

Economics,Policy, and

Human Dimensions*

Natural Resources*

Plant and Animal

Bioenergy Systems*

Engineering*

Energy Economics

and theEnvironment

(3)

Nebraska Energy Tour (1), optionalEnergy Seminar (1), requiredIndependent Energy Study (1), optional

*Student chooses three courses (all are 3 credit-hour) from one, or more, of these lists. Credit hours shown in parentheses

Core Curriculum (9)

Electives (9)

Three 1-unit “enrichment” courses

Energy Sciences Minor

Courses in Core Curriculum

• Energy in Perspective• Energy flows at the surface of the earth and how

humans have used these sources throughout history

• Introduction to Energy Systems• Exposition of all sources of available energy,

geographic distribution, estimated recoverable amounts, transformation processes for converting to high-quality energy in other forms, and future expected energy demand

• Energy Economics and the Environment• Exploration of energy markets, natural resources use,

and the associated economic and environmental trade-offs for conventional and renewable energy systems

Current Status• Have identified lead instructors for first three

courses: ENSC110: Greg Snow, Physics, Adam Liska, Agronomy; ENSC 220: Jerry Hudgins, Elec. Eng., David Jones, Biosys. Eng.; ENSC 330: Richard Perrin and Lilyan Fulginiti, Ag.Economics

• Minor and core courses have been approved by the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (home college) and the University Curriculum Committee

• Approval for the minor will be requested from at least two additional Colleges: Arts & Sciences, Engineering

• The first course will be offered in Fall 2008, and the second and third courses in Spring 2009

Plans

• Conduct workshop• Update interested faculty members

• Identify needed upper-level courses• Currently available

• To be developed

• Develop and implement marketing plan

• Seek funding for scholarships

• Develop plan for sustaining minor

Questions?