Wind Energy, Undergraduate Certificate

In addition to University Requirements:

• Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion	15
Highest Mathematics Required	MAT 239

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this 15-credit Undergraduate Certificate in Wind Energy is to prepare students for professional careers in the wind industry and in wind energy research and development. Students in engineering, the physical sciences, or math will have the opportunity to learn in-depth how to analyze and design wind turbine mechanical, electrical, and control systems. They will also be introduced to wind resource assessment and wind power plant design. Beyond these technical topics, students will become conversant in the broader societal, environmental, regulatory and economic aspects of wind energy necessary for professional practice. Recipients of an undergraduate certificate will have a broad understanding of the multi-disciplinary nature of wind energy. Courses are taught by faculty with experience and expertise in wind energy applications and research.

The certificate program is designed for students with backgrounds appropriate for engineering math or the physical sciences. Students may earn a certificate concurrently with their BS degrees at NAU. The certificate requires two core classes (6-credit hours) that are focused on wind energy, plus three elective courses (9-credit hours).  These electives may be selected from a wide array of approved course that are of direct relevance to wind energy, allowing students the flexibility to tailor the certificate to their specific interests. 

Due to its low cost and environmentally desirable characteristics, wind energy is rapidly being adopted around the world and is now a mainstream energy generation technology. It is a quickly growing field with many professional opportunities for certificate recipients both in the United States and abroad. Though now an established technology, wind energy continues to evolve as turbines grow larger and more sophisticated for utility applications, become more practical and reliable for off-grid and microgrid applications, and are utilized both on-shore and off-shore. This program seeks to inspire innovation and creativity in its graduates, grounded in the principles of good scientific and engineering practice.

Student Learning Outcomes 

Upon completion of the certificate program, students will be able to:

• Understand and apply basic concepts of wind energy conversion systems  including the amount of energy available in the wind across variables of time, and how wind turbines (a) capture that energy, (b) convert it into useful mechanical and electrical energy, and (c) ultimately deliver it to customers on-grid or off-grid;
• Design a wind energy conversion system or component to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability;
• Use the techniques, skills and modern tools necessary for practice in wind energy, including computer-aided solution methods, demonstrated through application of computer models relevant to wind turbine design or wind power development; 
• Apply wind energy technology and vernacular correctly in problem solving, and oral and written communication; 
• Devise wind engineering solutions and evaluate their technical and economic merits, understanding their potential environmental impacts, in order to meet established goals in a global and societal context; and
• Examine contemporary issues related to wind energy, particularly how those issues impact wind energy conversion system design, application and regulation.

 

Certificate Requirements

• 
  Take the following 15 units: 
  
  Select from (6 units)

  • ME 435, ME 451 
  • EE 402

       *Note: EE 280 is a prerequisite for EE 402.   
   
  In addition to these courses, students may select from a variety of disciplinary courses in which the content is applicable to wind energy.
  
  Select additional from (9 units):

  • CENE 431, CENE 436, CENE 438, CENE 440, CENE 450, CENE 470
  • EE 401, EE 402, EE 403, EE 406, EE 448, EE 458
  • ENV 415
  • ME 425, ME 435, ME 440, ME 442, ME 451, ME 454, ME 455, ME 456, ME 465, ME 467, ME 475, ME 482, ME 484 ME 520  

  You may select EE 280, ME 392, ME 395 if not used toward your major. 
  
  Additional undergraduate-level electives beyond this list may be selected in consultation with the certificate advisor, if they are of relevance to wind energy 
  
  If you are also pursuing a Mechanical Engineering B.S., you may only use 6 units from this certificate to also apply to a Mechanical Engineering B.S.
  
   

• Track for Civil Engineering; B.S. Majors
  
  Select from (6 units): 

  • EE 402
  • ME 435, ME 451 
  *Note:  EE 280 is a prerequisite for EE 402.   
  
  Select from (6 units): 
  • EE 401, EE 403, EE 406, EE 448, EE 458
  • ENV 415
  • ME 440, ME 442, ME 456, ME 465, ME 467, ME 475, ME 482, ME 484, ME 520
  Select additional from (3 units):
  • CENE 431, CENE 436, CENE 438, CENE 440, CENE 450, CENE 470
  • ENV 415
  • ME 425, ME 435, ME 451, ME 454, ME 455  
  
  Additional undergraduate-level electives beyond this list may be selected in consultation with the certificate advisor, if they are of relevance to wind energy.

   

• Track for Computer Engineering; B.S. Majors
  
  Select from (6 units): 

  • EE 402
  • ME 435, ME 451 
       *Note: EE 280 is a prerequisite for EE 402.   
  
   Select from (6 units): 
  • CENE 431, CENE 436, CENE 438, CENE 440, CENE 450, CENE 470
  • ENV 415
  • ME 425, ME 435, ME 440, ME 442, ME 451, ME 454, ME 455, ME 456, ME 465, ME 467, ME 475, ME 482, ME 484, ME 520
  
  Select additional from (3 units):
  • EE 401, EE 402, EE 403, EE 406, EE 448, EE 458
  
  Additional undergraduate-level electives beyond this list may be selected in consultation with the certificate advisor, if they are of relevance to wind energy.

   

• Track for Mechanical Engineering; B.S. Majors
  
  Select from (6 units): 
  • ME 435 or ME 451 
  • EE 402
       *Note:  EE 280 is a prerequisite for EE 402.   
  
  Select from (6 units):
  • CENE 431, CENE 436, CENE 438, CENE 440, CENE 450, CENE 470
  • EE 280, EE 401, EE 403, EE 406, EE 448
  • ENV 415
  
  Select additional from (3 units): 
  • EE 458
  • ME 425, ME 435, ME 440, ME 442, ME 451, ME 454, ME 455, ME 456, ME 465, ME 467, ME 475, ME 482, ME 484, ME 520  

• This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Federal financial aid cannot be used if the certificate is completed as a stand-alone certificate.

• Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

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