About the Energy Transition Cluster

Total number of credits in this cluster: 9

The Energy Transition cluster is available to students both within and outside the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. The specialization prepares students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and apply innovative strategies in the energy innovation space broadly. Students will gain knowledge in the basics of earth and mineral sciences, broaden their financial skills, and leave the program with a unique blend of knowledge bases from which to build their careers. 

This cluster will follow the same structure as other clusters, requiring 9 core credits that are integral to all clusters, with an additional minimum of 9 credits specific to the Energy Transition cluster within the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. 

There are several different tracks that students can take within specific departments in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (Geoscience, Geography, Energy and Mineral Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Meteorology and Atmospheric Science). Generally, students will take a 3-credit foundational course in one of the departments, followed by two 3-credit courses that align with their specific interests. One of these courses must be at the 400 level. Most students can take GEOSC 401 Geoscience Entrepreneurship as a capstone course for this minor program.

An example recommended course structure within the Geosciences would be:

1. GEOSC 001 – Physical Geology
2. GEOSC 201 – Earth Materials
3. GEOSC 401 – Geoscience Entrepreneurship 

Goal of the Energy Transition Cluster

The goal of the Energy Transition Cluster is to provide students with a unique and in-demand combination of skill sets with which to advance their careers and set them up to become leaders across various industries. The goals and recommended course structures will depend on the unique background of each student. 

Students who complete this cluster develop a rare combination of skills in:

• Understanding the basics of Earth materials that are essential to the energy transition
• The economics of energy, minerals, and the environment
• The structure and dynamics of the energy landscape.
• Specific aspects of company building within the Earth, energy, and minerals spaces
• Rapidly changing energy markets and technological developments in materials and approaches to resource management
• Deep understanding of the Earth science implications of various burgeoning energy-related technologies

Preferred Sequence of Courses for the Cluster

To meet the prerequisite requirement for MGMT/IST/ENGR 425, you must take:

(ECON 102 or ECON 104 or ECON 14 or MGMT 215; an ECON course is not required for the ENTI minor) and (CAS 100 or CAS 137T or EMSC 100S)