Program Overview

Program Overview

The Energy Science and Engineering undergraduate program at Stanford University is a four-year course of study leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. This program provides a foundation for careers in various facets of the energy industry, including a broad spectrum of energy, engineering, and environmental careers.

Program Goals

One of the primary goals of the program is to provide students with the experience of integrating skills developed in individual courses to address significant design problems. The Senior Project and Seminar in Energy Science and Engineering, taken in the senior year, allows student teams to identify and propose technical solutions for energy-resource-related problems of current interest.

Curriculum

The Energy Science and Engineering undergraduate curriculum is designed to prepare students for participation in the energy industry or for graduate studies, while providing the requisite skills to evolve as the energy landscape shifts over time. The program provides a background in mathematics, basic sciences, and engineering fundamentals, such as multiphase fluid flow in the subsurface. The curriculum is structured with flexibility, allowing students to explore energy topics of particular individual interest and to study abroad.

Minimum Units

• Minimum units in the program: 100
• Minimum university units: 180

Program Requirements

The requirements for the BS degree in Energy Science and Engineering include:

• Satisfying the university General Education requirements
• Completing the Ways of Thinking/Ways of Doing (Ways) requirement
• Fulfilling writing and rhetoric, and language requirements
• The standard Energy Science and Engineering undergraduate program automatically satisfies the University Ways requirement in the Disciplinary Breadth areas of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Mathematics

Core Program Requirements

Completion of the following courses constitutes the normal program leading to a BS in Energy Science and Engineering:

• ENERGY101 - Energy and the Environment
• ENERGY104 - Sustainable Energy for 9 Billion
• ENERGY110 - Engineering Economics (or CEE146S - Engineering Economics and Sustainability)
• ENERGY120 - Mass and Energy Transport in Porous Media
• ENERGY160 - Uncertainty Quantification in Data-Centric Simulations
• ENERGY199 - Senior Project and Seminar in Energy Science and Engineering

Mathematics

Complete all of the following courses:

• MATH19 - Calculus
• MATH20 - Calculus
• MATH21 - Calculus And the following (CME series recommended):
• CME100 - Vector Calculus for Engineers (or MATH51 - Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, and Modern Applications)
• CME102 - Ordinary Differential Equations for Engineers (or MATH53 - Differential Equations with Linear Algebra, Fourier Methods, and Modern Applications)
• CME104 - Linear Algebra and Partial Differential Equations for Engineers (or MATH52 - Integral Calculus of Several Variables)
• CME106 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Engineers (or STATS110 - Introduction to Statistics for Engineering and the Sciences)

Science

Fulfill all of the following requirements:

• Physics:
  • PHYSICS41 - Mechanics
  • PHYSICS43 - Electricity and Magnetism
  • PHYSICS45 - Light and Heat
• Chemistry:
  • Complete at least one of the following courses:
    • CHEM31E - Chemical Foundations and 21st Century Problems
    • CHEM31A - Chemical Principles I (and CHEM31B - Chemical Principles II)
    • EPS2 - Chemistry of the Earth and Planets

Engineering Fundamentals

Complete all of the following courses:

• CS106A - Programming Methodology
• CS106B - Programming Abstractions
• ENGR14 - Intro to Solid Mechanics
• ME30 - Engineering Thermodynamics
• ME70 - Introductory Fluids Engineering (or CHEMENG120A - Fluid Mechanics)

Depth in Discipline

Complete at least six courses from the list below, totaling at least 18 units. Appropriate substitutions are allowed with the consent of the advisor.

• GEOPHYS130 - Introductory Seismology
• ENERGY102 - Fundamentals of Renewable Power
• ENERGY112 - Exploring Geosciences with MATLAB
• ENERGY121 - Fundamentals of Multiphase Flow
• ENERGY141 - Seismic Reservoir Characterization
• ENERGY153 - Carbon Capture and Sequestration
• ENERGY167 - Engineering Appraisal and Economic Valuation of Energy Assets and Projects
• ENERGY175 - Well Test Analysis
• ENERGY176 - Electric System Planning with Emerging Generation Technologies and Large Load
• ENERGY177A - Engineering and Sustainable Development: Toolkit
• ENERGY177B - Engineering and Sustainable Development: Implementation
• ENERGY191 - Optimization of Energy Systems
• ENERGY201A - Energy Systems Fundamentals
• ENERGY201B - Fundamentals of Energy Processes
• ENERGY201C - Energy storage and conversion systems: Solar Cells, Fuel Cells, Batteries
• ENERGY269 - Geothermal Reservoir Engineering
• EPS1 - Introduction to Geology

Writing in the Major (WIM)

Complete all of the following courses:

• ENERGY199 - Senior Project and Seminar in Energy Science and Engineering

Capstone Experience

Complete all of the following courses:

• ENERGY199 - Senior Project and Seminar in Energy Science and Engineering

Honors (optional)

The Energy Science and Engineering program leading to the Bachelor of Science with Honors provides an opportunity for independent study and research on a topic of particular interest. It culminates in a written report and oral presentation.

• The honors program is open to students with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.5 in all courses required for the Energy Science and Engineering major and a minimum of 3.0 in all university coursework.
• Qualified students intending to pursue honors must submit an Honors Program Application to the undergraduate program director no later than the eighth week of their ninth quarter.
• Students are encouraged to apply to the program during winter quarter of their junior year.
• The application includes a short form, an unofficial transcript, and a two to three-page research proposal prepared by the student and endorsed by a faculty member who serves as the research advisor.
• Upon approval, students enroll in the honors program via Axess.
• Students must enroll in a total of nine units of ENERGY193 Undergraduate Research Problems; these units may be spread out over the senior year and may include previous enrollment units for the same research project.
• Research undertaken for the honors program cannot be used as a substitute for regularly required courses.
• A formal written report must be submitted to the student’s research advisor no later than the fourth week of the student’s final quarter, and the report must be read, approved, and signed by the student’s faculty advisor and a second member of the faculty.
• Each honors candidate must present their research results orally.
• Earn at least 9 credits from the following:
  • ENERGY193 - Undergraduate Research Problems

Accreditation

Stanford University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.