Energy Systems Engineering, B.S.

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Energy Systems Engineering

Energy Systems Engineering is an ABET-accredited undergraduate degree offering by the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The ESE program was designed to train engineers to address one of this country’s foremost challenges: to achieve energy independence and yet meet the growing demand for energy, while at the same time addressing critical environmental concerns. The program is intended to help meet these challenges by preparing students to be:

technology leaders in energy conversion and environmental protection systems
capable managers in the energy industry
versatile overseers of energy development by the governmental sector
technically-trained and environmentally-sensitive liaisons between the energy industry and the public.

ESE students will be trained in alternative and environmentally-friendly energy conversion systems, as well as more traditional technologies that will continue to play an important role for the foreseeable future.

Although the discipline of mechanical engineering has historically been responsible for the design of energy conversion cycles and equipment, issues outside the conventional realms of engineering are increasingly important to address as new and improved energy conversion systems are implemented. The engineer trained in Energy Systems will be better equipped than traditional mechanical engineers to deal with the environmental, legal, political, economic, and permitting aspects of new energy projects.

The ESE degree has many course work requirements in common with the Mechanical Engineering degree, particularly in the thermal, fluids, and energy conversion sciences. However, the ESE program emphasizes energy conversion aspects of Mechanical Engineering and requires course work from UW’s School of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR), course work in environmental law, and two electives picked from a list of classes that focus attention on energy and the environment. The ENR courses expose students to issues related to permitting such as preparation of environmental impact studies, and related regulations such as the Endangered Species Act. In addition, there are five technical electives that allow students to choose more detailed study in personal areas of interest including, for example, courses in environmental engineering, wind engineering, solar engineering, and petroleum engineering.

Mechanical and Energy Systems Engineering degree candidates must meet the academic requirements of the department and in addistion must have an average GPA of 2.000 (C) in Mecanical and/or Energy Systems engineering courses completed at this university. A grade of C or better must be earned in all engineering science (ES) and required mathmatics courses.

Energy Systems Engineering Success Curriculum

All undergraduate students in the B.S. Mechanical Engineering and B.S. Energy Systems Engineering programs must successfully complete the Mechanical Engineering Success Curriculum prior to enrolling in any upper-division (3000-level or above) courses taught by the Mechanical Engineering Department. The Mechanical Engineering Success Curriculum promotes successful completion of upper-division coursework by assuring a student that their foundational knowledge and skills are strong in mathematics and engineering fundamentals.

AP/iB courses are excluded from the GPA calculation, but grades transferred from other institutions will be used in evaluating the ME Success Curriculum GPA.

Successful Completion

To successfully complete the Mechanical Engineering Success Curriculum, a student must earn a minimum 3.000 GPA in the following 10 courses:

MATH 2200 - Calculus I Credits: 4
MATH 2205 - Calculus II Credits: 4
MATH 2210 - Calculus III Credits: 4
ES 1060 - Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving Credits: 3
ES 2110 - Statics Credits: 3
ES 2120 - Dynamics Credits: 3
ES 2210 - Electric Circuit Analysis Credits: 3
ES 2310 - Thermodynamics I Credits: 3
ES 2330 - Fluid Dynamics Credits: 3
ES 2410 - Mechanics of Material I Credits: 3

Policy for Transfer Credit Towards Energy Systems Engineering (ESE) Core Coursework

In general, transfer of coursework toward an Energy Systems Engineering degree will follow University of Wyoming policy. Courses must be shown to be equivalent to its University of Wyoming course (latitude may be given for Energy Systems Engineering electives without a direct University of Wyoming equivalent). However, three courses are considered to be the core of the Energy Systems Engineering program, and therefore credit cannot be transferred from another institution. These courses are ESE 3020 , ESE 3040 , and ESE 3360 . Exceptions may be made for courses from approved study abroad programs or in extreme circumstances. Please note that failing a prerequisite course resulting in a delay of graduation does not constitute an extreme circumstance. Any transfer of ESE courses requires explicit written approval from the Department.