Program Overview

Institute for Energy Studies

The Institute for Energy Studies offers various programs in the field of energy, including B.A. and B.S. degrees, minors, concentrations, and certificates.

B.A. and B.S. Degrees

The Institute offers two B.A. and B.S. degree programs:

• Energy Policy and Management
• Energy Science and Technology

Minors

The Institute offers two minor programs:

• Energy Policy
• Energy Science

Concentrations

The Institute offers two concentration programs:

• Business and Sustainability
• Electrical and Computer Engineering

Certificates

The Institute offers a non-degree certificate program:

• WWU Energy Certificates

B.S. Energy Science and Technology

Summary

The B.S. in Energy Science and Technology is designed to give students knowledge and analytical skills in the science and technology of today's diverse energy systems and industries. The degree prepares graduates to become leaders in Washington's emerging clean energy economy with an interdisciplinary education that emphasizes applied science and technology, complemented by energy policy and business practices.

Degree Type

Bachelor of Science

Requirements

The B.S. in Energy Science and Technology requires 107-113 credits.

Learning Outcomes

The program's learning outcomes are assessed through student learning outcomes.

Total Count

62 students have been awarded the degree through Spring 2025.

First Awarded

The degree was first awarded in 2019.

B.S. Energy Science and Technology Course Planning

The B.S. in Energy Science and Technology requires 107-113 credits. The ideal course sequence is as follows:

1st & 2nd Year

• CHEM 161 General Chemistry I (5 cr)
• GEOL 211 Physical Geology (5 cr)
• MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (5 cr)
• MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (5 cr)
• PHYS 161 Physics with Calculus I (5 cr)
• PHYS 162 Physics with Calculus II (5 cr)
• 2 from Math and Science Fundamentals List (8-10 cr)
• ECON 206 Intro to Microeconomics (4 cr)
• PLSC 250 The American Political Systems (5 cr)
  • or
  • MGMT 271 Law and the Business Environment (4 cr)

3rd Year

• Fall:
  • ENRG 380 Energy and Environment (4 cr)
  • ENRG 330 Energy from the Earth (4 cr)
  • ENRG 350 Energy Policy and Politics (4 cr)
• Winter:
  • ENRG 310 Thermal Energy Systems (4 cr)
  • ENRG 322 Energy Data Analysis (4 cr)
  • ECON 384 Energy Economics (4 cr)
  • or
  • ECON 386 The Economics of Electricity Markets (4 cr)
• Spring:
  • ENRG 360 Energy Efficient & Carbon Neutral Design (4 cr)
  • ENRG 320 Science of Energy Resources (4 cr)
  • ENRG 430 Chemistry of Energy Materials and Waste (4 cr)

4th Year

• Fall:
  • ENRG 420 Advanced Energy Science (3 cr)
  • ENRG 421 Energy Science Laboratory (2 cr)
  • ENRG 461 Optimizing Mechanical Systems in Commercial Buildings (5 cr)
  • ENRG 466 Life Cycle Analysis (4 cr)
• Winter:
  • ENRG 464 Sustainable Building Analysis & Design (4 cr)
  • ENRG 475 Renewable Electric Power Systems (4 cr)
  • ENRG 482 Greenhouse Gas Mitigation (4 cr)
• Spring:
  • ENRG 480 Applications in Energy Production (4 cr)
  • ENRG 486 Electric Utility Resource Planning (4 cr)
  • ENRG 488 Energy Management in Organizations (4 cr)
  • ENRG 490 Capstone: Energy System Synthesis (4 cr)

Net Zero Energy Design Track

The Net Zero Energy Design Track is an optional track within the B.S. degree that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as meeting the requirements for the Zero Energy Design Designation. Students completing this track will have a solid foundation in building science and will have opportunities to apply that knowledge in a design practicum. The track requires the following courses:

• ENRG/ESCI 360 - Energy Efficient and Carbon Neutral Design (4 cr)
• ENRG/ESCI 464 - Sustainable Building Analysis and Design (4 cr)