Sustainable Energy Engineering Undergraduates

Sustainable Energy Engineering program offers an interdisciplinary learning environment that empowers you to become a global leader in clean technology.

Speical Topic Courses

Atomospheric Fluid Dynamics and Pollution
Carbon Capture Engineering
Energy Harvesting Materials
Hydrogen Energy: Engineering, Technologies and Economics
Life Cycle Assessment in Buildings
Renewable Energy Systems
Advanced Power Electronics for Sustainable Energy Applications

Atmospheric Fluid Dynamics and Pollution

Course Description:
The course offers a comprehensive scientific and engineering overview and detailed analysis of sources of pollution of atmospheric air. It covers primary sources of atmospheric toxic pollution from combustion sources, to the evolution and dispersion of pollution into the atmosphere considering the chemical reactions in the atmosphere and local micrometeorology. The course discusses the theoretical background of criteria for air contaminants generation and their dispersion into the local atmosphere to a receptor site. It provides hands-on experience in emission measurement and practice on analyses of an emission source’s impact on local air pollution.

Pre-requisites:
SEE 224 and SEE 225

Instructor:
Dr. Vahid Hosseini

Carbon Capture Engineering

Course Description:
This course presents the philosophy and procedures of chemical engineering and process design as applied to designing the next generation of sustainable carbon capture systems. The course is covered in two modules:

Module 1: Fundamentals of Process Engineering: Mass and energy balances are reviewed. Concepts in reaction engineering as applicable to carbon capture including yield, selectivity, fractional conversion, reversibility of reactions, rate constants and chemical equilibrium are discussed. Basics of reactor design are covered with an emphasis on unifying the concepts in kinetics, thermodynamics and transport phenomena. Topics explored in Module 1 also include: ion equilibria in solutions, mass transfer, bubble behaviors, adsorption processes.

Module 2: Applications of Process Engineering: Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) are introduced. Concepts introduced in Module 1 will be applied towards designing the next generation of CO2 capture and conversion systems. Each module will address recent scientific developments and include guest lectures. In a team project throughout the semester, students will professionally design carbon capture facilities and deliver a presentation at the end of the semester and write a comprehensive report addressing process flow, materials, environmental considerations, sustainability and safety.

Pre-requisites:
1) One of CHEM 121 or (CHEM 122 and CHEM 126)
2) One of SEE 324 or SEE 225

Instructor:
Dr. Sami Khan

Energy Harvesting Materials

Course Description:
For Spring 2025, this course will cover the fundamentals of energy harvesting materials and their application in devices for the conversion of ambient energy into electricity through various physical mechanisms (the photovoltaic effect, thermoelectricity, piezoelectricity, and triboelectricity). The properties of materials in relation to their energy harvesting mechanisms are treated alongside their key figures of merit, design rules, and sustainability profiles. The course includes a laboratory component in which students will carry out hands-on activities concerning energy harvesters.

Pre-requisites:

Required: SEE 230 and SEE 231
Recommended: SEE 222

Instructor:
Dr. Vincenzo Pecunia

Hydrogen Energy: Engineering, Technologies, and Economics

Course Description:
Introduction to hydrogen energy from a materials perspective and the roles of hydrogen energy in sustainable development and renewable economy. Students will learn fundamentals of the chemical element hydrogen and hydrogen energy, explore the sustainability of hydrogen supply chain from the technical, economic, environmental, and societal aspects, and apply life cycle analysis to prioritize hydrogen energy systems.

Pre-requisites:
SEE 110, SEE 222, and a minimum of 80 units

Instructor:
Dr. Mina Xu

Life Cycle Assessment in Buildings

Course Description:
Introduction to product life cycle assessment, data collection and modeling of system inventory, environmental impact measures, and application of life cycle assessment to buildings. Introduction to ISO LCA standard for life cycle assessment, LEED LCA credit, and local codes for whole-building LCA. Application of industry standard software to conduct whole-building life cycle assessment and present in ISO standard format. Written and verbal presentation of LCA results.

Pre-requisites:
SEE 310

Instructor:
Dr. Molly McVey

Renewable Energy Systems

Course Description:
The focus of this course is on renewable energy systems and their grid interfacing technologies. The class will learn about wind, solar, tidal, hydro and fuel cell energy conversion systems, their grid interfacing technologies and economics of distributed generation. Some of the systems are explored in more details through experiments and the course project.

Pre-requisites:
SEE 251

Instructor:
Dr. Mahda Jahromi

Advanced Power Electronics for Sustainable Energy Applications

Course Description:
In Spring 2025, SEE 476 will be on the topic, Advanced Power Electronics for Sustainable Energy Applications.
Review of power electronics fundamental concepts. Power electronics applications in sustainable energy systems including photovoltaic and wind power, battery energy storage systems, and electric vehicle charging/powertrain. Performance metrics, definition of requirements, and applied implementation aspects. Modelling and control of switch-mode power converters.