School of Energy Resources

Energy Innovation Center, RM 301
Phone: (307)766-6879

Holly Krutka, Executive Director
Website: https://www.uwyo.edu/ser/

The School of Energy Resources facilitates interdisciplinary academic and research programs in engineering and science, economics, land management, and environment and natural resources policy to address critical energy-related issues faced by our society.

Our mission is to leverage and add to the already significant energy-related talent and resources in the University of Wyoming colleges to develop human resources, know-how, and technical solutions to ensure a secure and sustainable energy future for the state, region, and nation.

The University of Wyoming (UW) School of Energy Resources (SER) was created in 2006 by the Wyoming Legislature through State Statute 21-17-117. Our goal is to enhance the university’s energy-related education, research, and engagement. SER directs and funds cutting-edge energy research and technology development, which integrates with the formulation and conduct of academic programs at UW and bridges academics and industry through targeted engagement efforts. The bridges formed between academics and industry ensure programs are relevant, current, and deliver impact and high value to stakeholders and the state. Since its inception in 2006, SER has maintained flexibility in its focus and structure to meet the changing needs of Wyoming’s energy industries and the state’s economy which is now more critical than ever.

Emeritus Faculty:

SER Professor of Chemistry and Warren Chair of Energy and Environment BRUCE A. PARKINSON, B.S. Iowa State University 1972; Ph.D. California Institute of Technology 1977; SER Professor of Chemistry 2008.

Professors:

SER Professor of Energy Economics TIMOTHY J. CONSIDINE, B.A. Loyola University 1975; M.S. Purdue University 1977; Ph.D. Cornell University 1981; SER Professor of Energy Economics 2008.

SER Professor of Mathematics CRAIG C. DOUGLAS, A.B. Chicago University 1977; M.S. Yale University 1978; M.Phil. 1980; Ph.D. 1982; SER Professor of Mathematics 2008.

SER Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering and the Carrell Endowed Chair MAOHONG FAN, B.S. Wuhan University of Science and Engineering, 1984; M.S. Beijing University of Science and Technology, 1992; Ph.D. Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1997; Ph.D. Iowa State University, 2000; Ph.D. Osaka University 2003; SER Professor of Chemical Engineering 2015, 2008.

SER Professor of Geology and Geophysics and John and Jane Wold Centennial Chair in Energy JOHN P. KASZUBA, B.S. Beloit College, 1982; M.S. Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University 1986; Ph.D. Colorado School of Mines, 1997; SER Professor Geology & Geophysics, 2019, 2008.

SER Professor of Geology and Geophysics SUBHASHIS MALLICK, B.Sc. Indian Institute of Technology 1976; M.Sc. 1978; Ph.D. University of Hawaii 1987; SER Professor of Geology & Geophysics 2008.

SER Professor of Law and Occidental Chair in Energy and Environmental Policies TARA RIGHETTI, B.A. University of Colorado Boulder 2005; J.D. 2007; SER Professor of Law 2020, 2017, 2014.

SER Professor of Geology and Geophysics and Wyoming Excellence Chair DARIO GRANA, B.S. University of Pavia, 2003; M.S. 2005; M.S. University of Milano Bicocca, 2006; Ph.D. Stanford University, 2013; SER Professor of Geology and Geophysics 2022, 2018, 2013.

SER Professor of Environment and Natural Resources BRYAN LEONARD, B.A. Hillsdale College, 2010; M.S. Montana State University, 2012; Ph.D. University of California, Santa Barbara, 2016. SER Professor of Environment and Natural Resources 2024.

Associate Professors:

SER Associate Professor of Geology and Geophysics PO CHEN, B.S. Beijing University 2000; Ph.D. University of Southern California 2005; SER Associate Professor of Geology and Geophysics 2014, 2008.

Assistant Professors :

SER Assistant Professor of Soil Sciences

Academic Professional:

SER Professional Land Management Director KRISTEN PRITCHETT, B.B.A. Texas A&M University, 2009; MREF, Texas A&M University, 2010; Master of Positive Psychology and Educational Counseling, University of Missouri, 2016.

SER Energy and Environmental Systems Director RANDALL VIOLETT, B.S. Montana State University, 1986; M.S. Montana State University, 1996; Ph.D. University of Wyoming, 2012.

SER Student Success and Experiential Learning Director ASHLI TOMISICH, B.S. Oklahoma Christian University, 2008; J.D. University of Wyoming, 2011; Ph.D. University of Wyoming, 2023.

Adjunct Professors:

ERICA BELMONT, B.S. Tufts University 2004; M.S. 2008; Ph.D. University of Texas at Austin 2014; Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering 2020, 2014.

BENJAMIN COOK, B.S. University of Wyoming 2003; Ph.D. 2011; Associate Lecturer/Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute 2012.

MARY LOU DUNZIK-GOUGAR, B.S. Cedar Crest College; M.S. Pennsylvania State University; PhD. Pennsylvania State University; Associate Dean and Professor of the College of Science and Engineering and ISU Reactor Administrator.

SOHEIL SARAJI, B.S. Petroleum University of Technology 2004; M.Sc. Sharif University of Technology 2007; Ph.D. University of Wyoming 2013; Associate Professor of Energy and Petroleum Engineering 2022, 2016

TEMPLE STOELLINGER, B.S. University of Wyoming 2004; J.D. University of Wyoming 2010; Associate Professor of Law & Haub School 2020, 2015 and Wyoming Excellence Chair.

JONATHAN NAUGHTON, B.S. Cornell University 1986; Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University 1993; Professor of Mechanical Engineering 2012, 1997.

KAM NG, B.S. Iowa State University 1996; M.S. 1997; Ph.D. 2011; Associate Professor of Civil Engineering 2019, 2012.

HAIBO ZHAI, Roy & Caryl Cline Endowed Chair in Engineering, Environment, and Natural Resources, B.S. Xi’an University of Technology 1999; M.S. Tongji University 2002; Ph.D. North Carolina State University, 2008; Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, 2020.

Accreditation

All programs at the University of Wyoming are accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. In addition, the Professional Land Management Concentration is one of only a few programs accredited nationally by the American Association of Professional Landmen.

Graduates from the PLM program are afforded the opportunity to sit for the Registered Landman exam. Individuals with certification can increase their salary by 20% on average. Visit landman.org to learn more.

SER Vision Statement

SER pursues the creation, sharing, and implementation of technology and knowledge for sustainable economic production of Wyoming’s natural resources to generate additional employment and revenue opportunities for the state that include supply of clean energy and materials and products.

SER Mission Statement

The School of Energy Resources’ academic mission is to ensure students within its interdisciplinary academic programs can illustrate a foundational understanding of fundamentals relative to energy companies and systems. In order to prepare students to meet the demands of the modern-day workforce, students will utilize critical thinking skills, negotiation techniques, and problem-solving methods applicable to a diverse array of energy projects.

Program Admission

Undergraduate students will apply for admission to the University of Wyoming and then declare a major and concentration, the minor, or a certificate within SER at any point during their course of study. To declare a major and concentration or a certificate, students must meet with an SER representative. Any student with a 2.0 GPA can add the SER minor at any time without meeting with an SER representative.

One of the most important challenges of the 21st century will be to develop and manage energy resources in a sustainable manner. Projections show energy consumption worldwide will increase nearly 50 percent by 2035. And half of the leadership in the energy industries is expected to retire in the next five to ten years.

The future of energy will be characterized by increasing knowledge, relentless change, and technological innovation. As global energy industry increases in complexity, demand will dramatically grow for professionals with a multidisciplinary, entrepreneurial skillset. Future leaders must understand complex technology within the context of business, legal, social, and public policy in order to create comprehensive and sustainable solutions.

The Energy Resource Management and Development (ERMD) B.S. program is designed to fill this need through a combination of rigorous courses, real-world internships, and undergraduate research experiences. The curriculum balances depth of learning with the breadth of understanding to train graduates for sustained competitive success in the energy workforce at the frontiers of knowledge and for self-directed, life-long learning. Students learn to focus on continuous improvement, constant assessment, and the importance of a sense of urgency and consideration of profit motive in the energy industry.

Our program emphasizes career planning and provides constant one-on-one guidance and assistance to ensure optimal workforce placement. Students are strongly encouraged to complete an industry internship (the minimum GPA requirement is typically 3.000). Opportunities are also available for undergraduate research, a study abroad experience, or a summer field course. Multiple events during the year connect students to energy industry professionals.

General Policies

A minimum 2.00 UW GPA is required to apply for the minor and the certificates.
It is the student’s responsibility to monitor requirements for the minor and the certificates, along with their assigned advisor.
Additional courses may be required to meet individual course prerequisites.
All classes in the major and minor must be passed with a grade of “C” or better.

Student Learning Outcomes

The School of Energy Resources was created in 2006 to enhance the University of Wyoming’s energy-related education, research, and outreach. The Energy Resource Management and Development Program is designed to meet the demands of the energy workforce and enhance social literacy related to complex energy issues. Competency-based learning that integrates problem-solving, critical analysis of uncertain and complex issues, and constant improvement in performance are overarching components of our undergraduate program.

Energy Resource Management and Development B.S. Program and Energy Resource Management Minor Learning Outcomes:

Identify or describe fundamental concepts of energy systems.
Illustrate a foundational understanding of business fundamentals relative to energy companies, including organizational structure, management, entrepreneurship, and international commerce.
Make use of critical thinking and problem-solving methods within a written group energy project.

Energy and Environmental Systems Concentration and Energy and Environmental Systems 3+3 Concentration Learning Outcomes:

Outline the skills in environmental monitoring and compliance.
Explain energy regulation and management.
Demonstrate the necessary skills related to the physical and social science dimensions of sustainability.

Professional Land Management Concentration and Professional Land Management Concentration 3+3 Learning Outcomes:

Apply concepts and skills to real-world problems to gain practical understanding and experience.
Identify and navigate a valid real property transaction from contract to transfer of title.
Define and navigate the legal and regulatory hurdles for energy development on federal, state, and fee lands.

Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage Learning Outcomes:

Students will identify geological criteria for site selection, geophysical models of the subsurface for characterization and monitoring and minimizing risks related to transport and guaranteeing long-term storage of fluids in the subsurface.
Define and navigate the legal and regulatory hurdles for energy development/environmental challenges on federal, state, and fee lands.
Build techno-economic models capable of analyzing energy projects.
Students will demonstrate the process necessary to effectively communicate with stakeholders, the general public, and stakeholders of a CCUS project to ensure concerns are explored and different communication methods considered based on the audience.

Land Administration Learning Outcomes:

Identify and navigate a valid real property transaction from contract to transfer of title.
Explain energy, natural resources, or agricultural regulation and management.
Describe content and implications of past and current ENR, Ag, and property policies/laws.

Programs

Major

Minor

Energy Resource Management Minor

Certificate