Penn State offering course on renewable energy

Penn State World Campus is offering an online course as part of the university’s renewable energy and sustainability systems program.

The graduate-level program is comprised of two 12-credit graduate certificates in solar energy or sustainability management and policy, and a 33-credit master of professional studies degree. The program will be taught by faculty from the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and is designed for business and government professionals pursuing a master of professional studies degree.

“The energy industry changes so fast,” Mark V. Fedkin, who oversees the solar energy certificate and renewable energy track, said. “With this new program, we will be able to respond to those changes much more efficiently.”

Students will take 12 credits in either sustainability management policy or renewable energy systems, and 12 core credits in energy markets and policy, renewable and sustainable energy systems, ethical dimensions of renewable energy, and foundations in sustainability systems.

Students also will complete a three-credit capstone or special topics research experience and take six elective credits. There is a choice between the sustainability management and policy track or the solar energy track.

Approximately half of the enrolled students already work in energy industries.

Two of the country’s fastest-growing occupations are solar and wind power installation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.