Online Renewable Energy Engineering Degree :: Accredited Universities

Our Master of Science in Energy Systems is an interdisciplinary program with a focus on the effective implementation of energy systems analysis and the integration of energy systems engineering technology with financial planning. The program’s core courses in engineering knowledge, business, and finance are enhanced by elective courses across the College of Engineering. Students gain the theoretical knowledge and leadership skills to participate in decision-making and policy planning of new and efficient energy systems in the global market. They are prepared to participate in energy and environmental markets and to contribute to and lead cross-functional teams.

Program Objectives:
----------------------------

- Effectively integrate energy system development over a broad spectrum of technologies

- Formulate financial requirements for successful systems implementation

- Apply fundamental principles in the global energy market

- Analyze problems faced in energy generation and transmission

- Propose clean energy considerations and challenges

- Examine renewable options for consideration in a systems solution

This online degree program is designed primarily for engineering and technical business majors pursuing an industrial or public planning career. Students from other backgrounds are accepted on a case-by-case basis. All students are prepared for various potential careers in multiple energy fields, including renewable energy, alternative transportation, carbon management, emissions, building efficiency, and the power industry.

Entry Requirements

Applicants to the program are expected to have either an undergraduate degree from an accredited engineering school or have a quantitative business or finance degree. Applicants are expected to have adequate computer skills and college-level calculus.

The successful applicant should have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.000/4.000 or higher from an accredited U.S. school. International applicants, in addition to the minimum 3.000/4.000 requirement, should submit GRE and TOEFL scores with a minimum 151 (650) (quantitative) and 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 80 (Internet-based), respectively.

Other Fees

Show Less

The role of a mechanical engineer is varied. In this diverse field, mechanical engineers can be found contributing to new designs of mechanical systems and thermal systems. These engineers define and direct change as they create systems and technologies to improve industry.

Whether the task involves new medical devices, energy storage systems, more efficient combustion, new automobiles, power plants, renewable energy, or robotics, the mechanical engineer is at the forefront of technological advancements.

A master's degree in mechanical engineering is quickly becoming more preferred by employers, because it implies that you have acquired a skill set with the higher level of versatility required in the profession today. As the field continues to grow and our technology becomes more advanced, mechanical engineers will have a pivotal role in shaping our future.

Why Mechanical Engineering Online at Penn State?

Penn State has a long tradition of offering top-notch engineering programs that are well known and respected across industry, and our engineering programs consistently rank high in U.S. News and World Report.

The new online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) is essentially identical to our resident instruction program. The courses offered will be the same as those you would find as an on-campus student, and they are taught by the same graduate faculty who are active in research and experts in their fields of study. When you graduate, your diploma will have no indication that you earned your degree online. Penn State World Campus is Penn State.

As a student, you can benefit directly from the expertise of our faculty, who direct research centers and laboratories, such as:

Battery and Energy Storage Technology Center
Propulsion Engineering Research Center
Electroactive Materials Characterization Lab
Intelligent Vehicles and Systems Group
Mechatronics Research Laboratory
Our faculty also lead important initiatives, including the Leonhard Center, which focuses on the enhancement of engineering education and innovation in the University.

Who Should Apply?

If you want to acquire advanced knowledge for research, analysis, and design in mechanical engineering, Penn State's online MSME was designed for you. To apply, you should have an undergraduate degree in a suitable engineering field from an institution authorized by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or in a related science discipline.

As an online student, you will also have the option to participate in an existing mentoring program in the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, in collaboration with the Penn State Mechanical Engineering Society, the alumni organization. The mentoring program was designed to provide helpful career advice and networking opportunities for all engineering students.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

Mechanical engineering is one of the most diverse fields in engineering. It involves the research, design, creation, and testing of everything from large engines and machines to smaller tools and mechanical devices. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the skills acquired from a mechanical engineering degree program may also make individuals suitable for jobs in other engineering disciplines.

Careers may include positions in such industries as:

automotive
biomedical
heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
nuclear energy
robotics
power generation
aerospace

Entry Requirements

For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

The program contains a number of courses requiring a solid background in mathematics typically found in an undergraduate program in engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics, or computer science, with at least two semesters of calculus. Students with other undergraduate majors who have a strong background in mathematics may apply.

All applicants are expected to have earned a junior/senior grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

International applicants
---------------------------------

All international applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the internet-based test (iBT). Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisional admission, which requires completion of specified remedial English courses ESL 114G (American Oral English for Academic Purposes) and/or ESL 116G (ESL/Composition for Academic Disciplines) and attainment of a grade of B or higher. The minimum acceptable composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. Graduate programs may have more stringent requirements.

Other Fees

Show Less

This course has been designed to provide you with an understanding of the physical, technological, economic and environmental aspects of renewable energy sources, and their present and potential future role in energy supply systems.

You will gain the skills and knowledge to assess different types of offshore renewable foundations and structures, the challenges of maintenance, decommissioning and health and safety implications of each design. You will also look at the operation and control of electrical power and energy systems as well as the control and telemetry systems to allow integrative design.

You will be able to identify and quantify appropriate sites, assess the available resource and select the correct technology for the location. You will be able to model the hydrodynamic and aerodynamic forces applied to offshore structures and select the best installation and anchorage system for the job.

The course also covers managing the health, safety and environmental impact of offshore renewables through effective risk assessment and environmental impact analysis. It will promote an understanding of the principles, fundamental concepts and strategies of project management, and of the benefits to the offshore renewables sector. It will enable you to practice and carry out essential project planning and execution processes.

Aberdeen as the Energy capital of Europe and Robert Gordon University as a major provider of Open and Distance Learning professional education to the energy and offshore industry are uniquely placed to exploit the opportunity presented by the drive toward renewable energy sources.

This course builds on the strengths of the existing courses in Offshore Renewable Energy, Oil and Gas Engineering and Subsea Engineering and adds content on the offshore environment and electrical power, forming a unique programme which is relevant to the needs of professional engineers working in, or aspiring to work in, the offshore renewables sector. The MSc Offshore Renewables course will equip graduates to become part of the 21st century engineering community responsible for sustainable energy generation for the future.

Entry Requirements

This course is suitable for those who hold an honours degree, or equivalent, in Engineering or a related discipline at 2:2 or above.

English Language Requirements
-----------------------------------------------

All international students for whom English is not their first language must provide evidence of linguistic ability, by gaining either

IELTS Academic Test 6.5 overall* (with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component)

TOEFL iBT 90 (with a minimum score of Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20 and Writing 24)

Pearson PTE Academic 61 (with a minimum score of 51 in each component)

Other Fees

Individual Engineering Research Investigation - £3425

Show Less

Policy changes, technological advances, and an increased awareness of the world's resources are creating a growing need across the world for advanced expertise in renewable and sustainability systems. Now more than ever, it's critical to prepare professionals to serve as leaders of the emerging "green" economy.

To meet the demands of this dynamic marketplace, professionals must have technical depth in areas related to renewable energy, but they must also fully understand the applications of the technology in society, the energy economics, as well as the entire project development process. A master's degree program in the field of renewable energy is designed to prepare you to lead the transformation of fossil energy economy to a sustainable basis of operation. You can enhance your technical understanding and gain the advanced project management skills to help move sustainability projects forward.

Why an Online Renewable Energy and Sustainability Degree from Penn State?

Penn State's online intercollege Master of Professional Studies in Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems (iMPS-RESS) program provides a broad coverage of topics related to renewable energy and sustainability systems while providing in-depth coverage of select topics. Delivered in a strong partnership between four colleges and eight academic departments from within the University, the program offers you the opportunity to draw upon the expertise and unique perspectives of faculty with diverse backgrounds.

This program is designed to give you a focused curriculum along with the flexibility appropriate to a rapidly changing field; you will take a number of core program courses. Then, to meet your individual learning goals, you will select additional courses from an array of electives. If you would like to tailor your studies even further, you can choose one of four program options that will provide more specialized, technical instruction:

Sustainability Management and Policy
Bioenergy
Solar Energy
Wind Energy

Who Should Apply?

If you have a technical mindset and are interested in more fully understanding the systems behind renewable energy and sustainability, Penn State's online RESS program was designed for you. The program is appropriate for you if you are already in the renewable energy industry and are looking to advance your career. The program can also benefit you if you are looking to better define yourself in the growing renewable energy industry.

As an applicant to the program, you should have strong academic preparation, including a minimum of either a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution or a postsecondary degree that is equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree earned from an officially recognized degree-granting international institution.

After completing the master's program, you should be able to perform your tasks in the management and development of renewable energy systems even if you have received your bachelor's degree in an area other than renewable energy and sustainability systems.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

Sustainability is a strategic concern for every large organization, as each works to remain globally competitive regarding renewable energy concerns and to address the environmental challenges expected in the coming decades. As a graduate of the program, you could be qualified for many positions that require a mix of technical skills and management responsibilities.

The iMPS-RESS program can prepare you to excel in a wide variety of commercial and industrial occupations that apply engineering principles to the business of energy, including:

sustainability project manager
VP of business development
environmental scientist
energy project analyst
research analyst
community planner
energy project engineer

Entry Requirements

For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

For your admission to the program, it is preferred that you have a technical mindset and are interested in focusing on the implementation and interpretation of existing policies and regulations as they related to renewable energy and sustainability.

International applicants
---------------------------------

All international applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the internet-based test (iBT). Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisional admission, which requires completion of specified remedial English courses ESL 114G (American Oral English for Academic Purposes) and/or ESL 116G (ESL/Composition for Academic Disciplines) and attainment of a grade of B or higher. The minimum acceptable composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. Graduate programs may have more stringent requirements.

Other Fees

Show Less

Increasing demands for renewable energy sources will continue to drive the focus of companies toward bioenergy solutions. The bioenergy industry is rapidly expanding; many companies have an increasing need for knowledgeable individuals with advanced, multidisciplinary skills in feedstock production, supply chain systems, and conversion.

The role of professionals in this field will not be strictly technical in nature. There will also be an ever-growing demand for people who can develop, manage, and improve the bioenergy industry through project development, system design and analysis, and process improvement.

Why an Online Bioenergy Degree from Penn State?
Penn State's online intercollege Master of Professional Studies in Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems (iMPS-RESS) degree with an option in bioenergy covers a broad range of topics related to renewable energy and sustainability systems. In the bioenergy option, you can gain an in-depth understanding of the applied technologies used in production, harvesting, and handling of biomass and its various energy products.

Offered through a partnership between four colleges and eight academic departments in the University, the iMPS-RESS program provides you with the opportunity to learn from faculty with unique expertise and perspectives, as well as diverse backgrounds.

In addition to taking courses in the focused core curriculum, you will refine your studies even further with course work specific to the bioenergy option — one of four program options that will provide more specialized, technical instruction. In order for you to reach your individual learning goals, you will select additional courses from an array of electives offered in conjunction with the other program options:

Solar Energy
Sustainability Management and Policy
Wind Energy

Who Should Apply?

Penn State's online iMPS-RESS program with an option in bioenergy could be right for you if you have a technical mindset and want to focus on finding uses for renewable biomass as a source of energy.

The program is appropriate for students with a diverse background — whether you received your bachelor's degree in renewable energy and sustainability systems or in another field of study. A background of courses in calculus, physics, thermodynamics, and plant biology is advised for students interested in this option.

If you are already in the bioenergy engineering industry and looking to advance in your current position, or if you want to move into another segment of the growing bioenergy engineering industry, this program could benefit you.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

The iMPS-RESS program with an option in bioenergy can prepare you to lead projects involving crop production, harvesting, storage, ecology, genetics, fermentation, engineering, value chain systems modeling, marketing, economics, and sociology.

With a balanced focus on helping you acquire technical understanding and advanced project management skills, in the bioenergy option you can gain the qualifications for positions such as:

biofuel project manager
bioenergy research analyst
fermentation scientist – biofuels
bioenergy feedstock crop analyst
chemical process engineer – biofuels

Entry Requirements

For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

For your admission to the program, it is preferred that you have a technical mindset and want to focus on diminishing fossil fuel supplies, increasing demand for energy, and national security as it relates to the use of renewable biomass as a source of energy.

International applicants
---------------------------------

All international applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the internet-based test (iBT). Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisional admission, which requires completion of specified remedial English courses ESL 114G (American Oral English for Academic Purposes) and/or ESL 116G (ESL/Composition for Academic Disciplines) and attainment of a grade of B or higher. The minimum acceptable composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. Graduate programs may have more stringent requirements.

Other Fees

Show Less