Master of Engineering: Sustainable Systems Engineering (Online)

BSE/​ENVIRST 367 — RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS

3 credits.

Learn about the state-of-the-art in renewable energy applications including biomass for heat, electric power and liquid fuels as well as geo-energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro power. Practice engineering calculations of power and energy availability of renewable energy sources and learn about requirements for integrating renewable energy sources into production, distribution and end-use systems.

Requisites: MATH 112, 114, 217, placement into MATH 221, or graduate/professional standing

CIVENGR 723 — ENERGY PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

3 credits.

Principles of energy applied to environmental engineering such as energy resources, sustainability concerns, work and power, thermodynamics, system and process efficiencies, energy production from waste, heat transfer, and heating and cooling of systems.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing

CIVENGR 729 — ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY TOOLS

3 credits.

Environmental impact must be quantified systematically and rigorously in order to inform decision making, process improvement, and policy. Life cycle assessment will be utilized in a project-based framework to evaluate the environmental impacts of products and process across multiple environmental impact categories.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing

EPD 639 — PLASTICS RECYCLING & SUSTAINABILITY

2 credits.

Examine sustainability and recycling practices for plastics and polymeric materials, including textiles. Analyze environmental impacts and plastic waste using life cycle assessment. Explore traditional and emerging recycling technologies, along with bio-based and degradable plastics. Critically evaluate media coverage to identify “greenwashing” and improve understanding of sustainability issues.

Requisites: E P D 634 or 636

EPD 648 — PLASTICS MANUFACTURING & SUSTAINABILITY SEMINAR

1 credits.

Topics in sustainability and recycling concerns in plastics manufacturing.

Requisites: E P D 634 or 636

EPD 660 — CORE COMPETENCIES OF SUSTAINABILITY

3 credits.

Introduces real-world pragmatic skills and applications in sustainability competencies. Content reaches across engineering expertise, from chemical engineering to buildings to product design and energy. Modules cover ecological footprinting, lifecycle assessment, resource use and integrated engineering practice.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing

GEOSCI/​ENVIRST 411 — ENERGY RESOURCES

3 credits.

A critical examination of the full spectrum of renewable and nonrenewable energy options, from the unifying perspective of the Earth systems that govern their use. Energy conversion and efficiency, consumption patterns and trends, and environmental consequences of energy production and use.

Requisites: Sophomore standing

CIVENGR/​GLE 535 — WIND ENERGY BALANCE-OF-PLANT DESIGN

3 credits.

Wind Energy Development and Balance-of-Plant Design. Up-front coverage includes the science and mechanics of wind energy including turbine basics, wind resource assessment, energy production, and economic return. Balance-of-plant design aspects include site layout and micro-siting, foundation systems, collector systems and interconnection, site civil and electrical infrastructure, and structural tower analysis. Development includes environmental due diligence and permitting, stakeholder engagement, energy policy and markets, and levelized cost of energy (LCOE).

Requisites: PHYSICS 201, 207, 247, E M A 201, graduate/professional standing, or member of Engineering Guest Students

EPD 699 — INDEPENDENT STUDY

1-3 credits.

Under faculty supervision.

Requisites: Consent of instructor

EPD 600 — SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1-3 credits.

Topics vary.

Requisites: None

EPD 730 — SUSTAINABLE FACILITIES

3 credits.

Explore the environmental impacts of commercial and residential buildings, including energy, water, materials, transportation, waste, human health, and land use. All phases of a building’s life cycle will be considered, along with relevant case studies, benchmarking tools, public policies and emerging concepts.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing

EPD 731 — ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN BUILDINGS

3 credits.

Core principles of energy use and efficiency in the building sector (residential, commercial, institutional buildings.) Factors that influence energy demand (design, equipment, controls, operation, maintenance). Review of engineering fundamentals of heat transfer, heating and cooling loads, psychrometrics. Topics include building envelope principles (climate, orientation, materials, massing), heating and cooling systems, ventilation & indoor air quality, plumbing & water heating, lighting & daylighting, and internal energy uses (plug loads, equipment). Zero energy building concepts, energy modeling, and energy benchmarking are also covered. Applications include existing building operation and improvement, and new building design and planning.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing

GLE 401 — SPECIAL TOPICS IN GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

1-3 credits.

Various topics in the field of geological engineering – refer to advisor for approved courses.

Requisites: None

EPD 611 – ENGINEERING ECONOMICS & MANAGEMENT

3 credits.

Addresses principles and practices of interpreting financial information and performing engineering-related economic analyses. Focuses on the practical use of economic information for decision-making.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Applied Engineering Management

GLE 401 — SPECIAL TOPICS IN GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

1-3 credits.

Various topics in the field of geological engineering.

Requisites: None

CIVENGR 525 — CASE STUDIES EXPLORING INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

3 credits.

Critical evaluation of the sustainability of engineering projects, considering roles as designers, citizens, and collaborators in creating the infrastructure of the future. Consider the impact of climate change on sustainability, an urgent topic, through case studies in water supply, flood management, water quality, materials recovery and recycling, mobility, buildings and structures, and energy generation and distribution.

Requisites: Junior standing and (MATH 217 or 221), graduate/professional standing, or member of Engineering Guest Students

CIVENGR 629 — SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

1-3 credits.

Topics vary – refer to advisor for approved courses.

Requisites: None

EP 418 — SUSTAINABLE ENERGY CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS

1 credit.

Interdisciplinary survey of energy research topics. Understand how sustainable energy challenges are being studied and solved by different disciplines, from science and engineering to social sciences and humanities. Analyze energy sustainability using a multi-disciplinary, systems-based approach.

Requisites: Declared in the Certificate in Engineering for Energy Sustainability or Engineering: Sustainable Systems Engineering, MEng

EPD 605 — FUNDAMENTALS OF TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT

1 credit.

Learn techniques to plan, execute, and deliver projects with desired scope on time and on budget. Document clear project objectives and goals, accurately estimate project time and costs, schedule and allocate time-critical resources, and establish feedback systems for optimal project control. Best paired with a work experience, such as an internship or co-op, where you can apply these project management skills.

Requisites: Junior standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Applied Engineering Management. Not open to students with credit for E P D 612.

EPD 606 — LEADING & MANAGING TECHNICAL TEAMS

1 credit.

Key team management concepts, principles, and practices. Team dynamics, team roles, leading and facilitating teamwork, and managing team conflict in the context of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)-related work.

Requisites: Junior standing

EPD 611 – ENGINEERING ECONOMICS & MANAGEMENT

3 credits.

Addresses principles and practices of interpreting financial information and performing engineering-related economic analyses. Focuses on the practical use of economic information for decision-making.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Applied Engineering Management

EPD 612 — TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT

3 credits.

Learn key principles and tools of project management applicable to a broad range of engineering projects. Covers techniques for project planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and project tracking, as well as the interface between projects and the organizations within which they are executed.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing

EPD 616 — ENGINEERING LAW

2 credits.

Addresses important legal issues especially relevant to the practice of engineering. Gain awareness and ability to properly address patents, trade secrets, contracts, employment and non-disclosure agreements, as well as product and professional liability. Learn to avoid legal problems that often affect engineering projects and organizations.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing

EPD 647 — TRENDS IN ELECTRIFICATION SEMINAR

1 credit.

Discussion of major trends in the automotive and transportation industry, focused on electrification for hybrids, fuel cells, and fully electric vehicles.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Powertrain Electrification

EPD 701 — WRITING FOR PROFESSIONALS

1 credit.

Preparation to produce effective written communication that is suitable for inter-professional and inter-disciplinary audiences in a variety of workplaces. Apply these strategies and tools.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Applied Engineering Management

EPD 702 — PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS

1 credit.

Sharpen your ability to create, edit, review, and present information in an efficient, clear, and effective way for your audiences. Develop your presentation skills through a series of presentations related to your professional interests and work.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Applied Engineering Management

EPD 704 — ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION & PROBLEM SOLVING

1 credit.

Improve your problem solving within complex organizations, with a special emphasis on case studies and improving communication, using cross-disciplinary sources.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Foundations of Professional Development

EPD 706 — CHANGE MANAGEMENT

1 credit.

Provides emerging and practicing professionals foundational knowledge to develop a change management strategy and implement it using proven processes and tools. Become better prepared to deliver effective organizational performance. Applies contemporary concepts and methods in change management through student-selected projects.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Foundations of Professional Development

EPD 707 — ENGINEERING RESEARCH & PROFESSIONAL PROJECTS

3 credits.

Research question and project development; literature review techniques; qualitative and quantitative research methods; professional and technical writing standards.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Applied Engineering Management

EPD 708 — CREATING BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATIONS

1 credit.

Explore innovation and how design thinking is a driver of innovation. Learn to use various design thinking methods and tools for analysis and decision-making.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Foundations of Professional Development

EPD 711 — STRATEGIC & ETHICAL COMMUNICATION FOR ENGINEERS

3 credits.

Builds communication expertise in engineering practice by emphasizing items such as clarity, audience awareness, and ethical judgment in the exchange of technical and managerial decisions and information. Treats ethics as a foundational element of effective and responsible professional communication, integrating behavioral science, ethical reasoning, and professional codes to support transparency, trust, and sound decision-making. Develops communication problem-solving for common workplace communication challenges.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing

EPD 712 — ETHICS FOR PROFESSIONALS

1 credit.

Explores how our actions affect others and influence the choices we make within the workplace. Enhance ethical competencies by providing opportunities to discuss challenges to behavior and decision-making in different professional contexts.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in Capstone Certificate in Applied Engineering Management

EPD/​ACCTIS/​GENBUS 781 — FINANCIAL & BUSINESS ACUMEN

1 credit.

This course is designed with a keen awareness for the needs of the non-financial student or professional. For this class, no previous financial training is required. The intent is to equip you with the essential concepts used to develop financial literacy. Content will cover basic financial terms and reports, analytical tools to help interpret financial data and using financial data in budgets and forecasts.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing. Not open to students declared in an MBA program

EPD/​GENBUS/​MHR 785 — EFFECTIVE NEGOTIATION STRATEGIES

1 credit.

Improves students’ negotiating skills, doing so by providing a theoretical underpinning that will help them to understand the sources of effective and ineffective approaches to negotiations.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing or declared in graduate Business Exchange program

EPD 669 — SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING CAPSTONE

3 credits.

Provides the opportunity to demonstrate ability to think globally, sustainably, and creatively. Gain real-world experience by applying theory, tools, and research to conceptualize, analyze, and design a solution to a real-world problem within a social and environmental context. Showcase the knowledge and analytical skills acquired, and integrate tools, science, and communication to address a community or industry need. Work with an industry mentor and customer throughout your project.

Requisites: Consent of instructor