Courses

The overall objective of the 33-credit online MPS-RESS program is to help you gain the knowledge to become a technically outstanding expert in renewable energy and sustainability systems, with strong project development and leadership skills. In addition, the program can prepare you to apply engineering principles to the business of energy in a variety of commercial and industrial occupations.

Core Courses: 12 credits
Track Courses: 12 credits
Additional Electives: 6 credits
Capstone Experience (course or research): 3 credits

Areas specifically related to the following will be included:

System thinking and analysis
Sustainability assessment
Energy system performance analysis
Project development
Business acumen
Policy analysis
Advanced critical thinking

You will take 12 credits in the program's core courses, 12 credits in your chosen track, and 6 credits of electives in consultation with your program adviser. You will then complete your studies with a 3 credit capstone experience.

Course List - Master of Professional Studies in Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree in RESS will be conferred upon students who complete a minimum of 33 credits while maintaining a grade-point average of 3.0 or better in all course work, including at least 18 credits at, or above, the 500 level (with at least 6 credits at the 500 level), and who complete the capstone experience requirement.

Core Courses (12 credits)
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Ethical Dimensions of Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems	BIOET 533	Examination of ethical issues relevant to research procedure, professional conduct, social and environmental impacts, and embedded values in research.	3 credits
Foundations in Sustainability Systems	EME 504	Theoretical background of sustainability issues and studies of sustainability systems.	3 credits
Energy Markets, Policy, and Regulation	EME 801	Structure and function of energy markets; existing and emerging environmental regulations; decision-making by energy companies.	3 credits
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems	EME 802	An overview of renewable energy technologies and energy system analysis.	3 credits

Track Courses

Select 12 credits in either the Sustainability Management and Policy or Renewable Energy Systems track.

Sustainability Management and Policy Track (12 credits)
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Sustainability Driven Innovation	BA 850	This course explores sustainability as a business opportunity for developing innovative products and services. It will focus on consumer needs related to sustainability, willingness to pay for these needs, and the innovative processes necessary to create sustainable solutions.	3 credits
Applied Energy Policy	EME 803	Provides in-depth exploration of energy policy development, implementation, and assessment of multiple governmental and corporate scales with emphasis on energy markets.	3 credits
Renewable Energy and Nonmarket Enterprise	EME 805	Industry perspective on the resources, technologies, engineering approaches and externalities involved in deploying renewable energy businesses profitably and sustainably.	3 credits
Technologies for Sustainability Systems	EME 807	This course examines strategies and applications of sustainable technologies in manufacturing, energy, water, transportation, food, and building systems.	3 credits

Renewable Energy Systems Track (12 credits)
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Commercial Solar Electric Systems	AE 868	Theories and practices of solar electric systems including component selection, performance simulation, grid interconnection, codes, and design documentation.	3 credits
Solar Project Development and Finance	AE 878	Economic analysis of solar energy projects, project development process, energy policies, finance methods, and economic analysis tools.	3 credits
Engineering of Wind Project Development	AERSP 886	An overview of the wind project development process and technical considerations for onshore and offshore applications.	3 credits
Alternative Fuels from Biomass Sources	EGEE 439	Examine the chemistry of technologies of bio-based sources for power generation and transportation fuels.	3 credits
Solar Resource Assessment and Economics	EME 810	Methods, economic criteria, and meteorological background for assessing the solar resource with respect to solar energy conversion technologies.	3 credits
Utility Solar Power and Concentration	EME 812	Technical and theoretical background for utility scale solar energy conversion technologies to generate electric power. Prerequisite: EME 810	3 credits

Additional Courses (select 6 credits)
Students may select two electives that focus on complementary disciplines such as Systems Engineering, Ecosystem Management, Community and Economic Development, Meteorology, and more. View the the most current list of elective courses, and contact the program office at [email protected] with any questions.

Capstone Experience (3 credits)
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Management and Design of Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems Research Paper	EME 589 or EME 596	Real-world renewable energy systems projects using a systems analysis and case-study approach. Prerequisite: EME 504, EME 801, EME 802, and BIOET 533 Partake in a special topics research opportunity with a faculty member. Prerequisite: EME 504, EME 801, EME 802, and BIOET 533	3 credits

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

Penn State World Campus Student and Family

Ready to Learn More?

Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.