Energy
Energy Secondary Core, a graduate area of curriculum concentration
Students at gas power plant
Introduction
The energy program in the graduate environmental studies (ENVS) program at CU-Boulder provides students with skills and knowledge in three areas:
- Energy science and technology: energy flows, energy conversion technologies, energy efficiency and the role of technology in changing energy use.
- Energy economics and markets: energy supply and demand, price and regulation as influences on energy markets, energy and carbon market interactions.
- Energy policy and planning: policies affecting energy supply and demand, ties to environmental policy and alternative energy futures.
Why Study
Energy extraction, conversion, transportation, and use are at the heart of many of our most pressing environmental issues. Global climate change, local and regional air quality concerns, high-level nuclear waste storage – these and other issues are a direct result of how we use energy. Responding to these issues, therefore, requires an in-depth understanding of energy: how we use it; how it links to economic, social, and political issues; what are the alternatives to our current use patterns; and how we might implement them.
Curriculum
The M.S. in Environmental Studies, with a focus on energy, requires the ENVS common core plus the following courses:
Energy Core: 10 credit hours
- ENVS 5100 - Energy Science and Technology
- ENVS 5820 - Renewable Energy Policy
- ENVS 5100 - Energy Seminar
- BADM 6930 - Commercialization of Energy Technologies
Energy Electives
Electives can be drawn from the following energy-related courses, or others not on this list with the agreement of the student’s advisor. At least one course must be taken from each of the three areas. For a list of energy-related courses at CU-Boulder, see Energy Initiative
Energy science and technology:
- Any 3000-level or higher science, technology, or engineering course listed at the Energy Initiative course listing page.
Energy economics and markets:
- ECON 4545 - Environmental Economics
- ECON 4535 - Natural Resource Economics
- ENVS 5100 - Environment and Energy Economics
Energy policy and planning:
- LAWS 6722 - Energy Law and Regulation
- LAWS 7132 - Energy insecurity
- LAWS 7122 - Mining and Energy Law
- ENVS 5720 - Problem Orientation
- ENVS 5730 - Decision Process
- ENVS 5100 - The Nuclear West
Advising
Those interested in graduate environmental studies are encouraged to contact potential advisors as part of the application process. However, as the Energy secondary core director, Paul Komor reviews all applications in the energy area and does not commit to advising during the application process. Applicants are welcome to explore the CU Boulder resources listed below and to contact other faculty on campus, many of whom are listed on the Energy Initiative website. Please consult the How to Apply and FAQ sections of this website. For additional questions regarding a graduate application, email: envsgrad@colorado.edu.
CU Boulder Resources
- Energy Initiative of the University of Colorado “addresses the challenges of developing and implementing renewable and sustainable energy.”
- Building Systems Program at the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Achitectural Engineering focuses on energy efficiency in the buildings and industrial sectors as well as on practical applications of renewable energies.
- Facilities Management group at CU-Boulder is a leader in implementing energy and resource efficiency on the CU-Boulder campus. This group manages CU’s cogeneration system and also heads up the campus resource conservation effort.
- CU Environmental Center runs several energy programs, and was the driving force behind CU’s investment in wind power.
- EESI The Energy and Environmental Security Initiative is an interdisciplinary research and policy center at the University of Colorado Law School. It is designed to facilitate progress toward a global sustainable energy future through the innovative use of laws, policies, quality information, and technology solutions.
Faculty
Grad Students
- Announcements -
Tue Nov 17, 2009
Udall Scholarship Information Meeting
Thu Dec 17, 2009
ENVS Recognition Ceremony and Reception
Thu May 06, 2010
- Events -
Wed Jul 22, 2009
11:25 am
Summer Series In College Course Design
Mon Nov 30, 2009
12:00 pm
Tue Dec 01, 2009
02:00 pm
- News -
Nov 19, 2009
New Method to Measure Snow, Soil Moisture With GPS May Benefit Meteorologists, Farmers
Nov 17, 2009
El Niño Could Play a Role in Colorado’s Winter Weather, CU-NOAA Scientist Says
- Faculty Focus -
Douglas Kenney
Water resources policy, law and management; reform of natural resources institutions; impacts of population growth and climate change on western US natural resources; collaborative problem-solving
