UWP implements new classes in renewable energy in preparation for a renewable energy minor
PLATTEVILLE - Faculty from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville have been working on the development of a renewable energy minor. Renewable energy encompassesenergy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydrogen, bio-fuels and bio-products. A minor in renewable energy is applicable to any major field of study at UWP including agriculture, engineering, business and political science.
In December 2006, UWP administration, faculty and a number of Wisconsin companies met to discuss Wisconsin's future energy needs. At this meeting, it was determined that UWP has a strong interest in alternative energy and bio-products.
In 2007, a Renewable Energy Council was formed by chair, MesutMuslu, electrical engineering; Chris Baxter, School of Agriculture; Charles Knox, industrial studies; John Iselin, mechanical engineering; Mike Dalecki, social science; Rami Reddy, agriculture; and Tim Zauche, chemistry. The council's purpose is to address the university’s interest in alternative energy and bio-products, or renewable energy.
The council recommended that a university-wide renewable energy minor be established at UWP. The minor will be open to students in all majors wishing to seek credit with an interest in renewable energy. The minor will be a standard 24 credit minor, with nine core credits and 15 elective credits.
The nine core credits range from two to four credits per course. The first course in the minor, ENER2130: Energy, Environment and Society, will be offered during the fall 2008 semester. This course will cover topic areas of energy and energy-related terminology, forms and sources of energy; social, environmental and economic issues related to energy; and recent energy policy changes in the United States and the world.
The other two courses are anticipated to be offered during the spring 2009 semester and include ENER3240: Fundamentals of Energy Sources and ENER4920: Research or Design Project on renewable energy. The council is seeking industry partners for the renewable energy design projects. Although the classes will be offered in the fall, the council is currently working on getting the approval for the minor from the curriculum committees of the colleges and the university.
For more information on the renewable energy minor, visit the renewable energy website at http://www.uwplatt.edu/ee/renewableenergy, or contact Muslu at (608) 342-1157 or muslu@uwplatt.edu.
Contact: MesutMuslu, department chair, electrical engineering, (608) 342-1157, muslu@uwplatt.edu
Written by: Lisa D. McLean, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, mcleanl@uwplatt.edu
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