Energy Systems Engineering

The master of science in energy systems engineering is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in engineering or a closely related STEM discipline. The program will provide students opportunities to expand and strengthen their scholastic background and skills relative to the production, conversion, transmission and utilization of energy; carbon-based and “green” energy; renewable or alternate energy sources; energy storage, modeling and simulation of energy systems; and critical materials for energy generation and utilization.

Students enrolled and graduating from this program will fulfill a need for specially trained professionals to satisfy growing needs of governmental agencies and industrial companies in West Virginia, the region and the country for technical personnel with advanced training in specialized areas of energy systems and energy supply-chain management. The program will produce master's-level students who are able to function at the highest levels of expertise in their chosen sub-discipline of energy, and who are well versed in the overall concepts of getting energy to consumers.

The degree can be used as a terminal degree or prepare students, with unique perspectives in the field of energy, for prospective study in existing Ph.D. programs at WVU and other universities nationally and internationally.

To enter the Energy Systems Engineering program, students are required to have, as a minimum, a B.S. degree in engineering or a closely related STEM discipline, single- and multi-variable calculus, calculus based introductory probability and statistics and a course in thermodynamics.

All students must submit a completed application accompanied by three letters of reference/recommendation.

• Students not having sufficient mathematics or calculus-based probability and statistics on thermodynamics coursework will only be admitted as provisional students and will not be admitted to regular student status until they meet these minimum coursework requirements.
• Applicants having a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better (out of a possible 4.0) in all previous college work, and who meet all other admissions requirements will be admitted as regular graduate students.
• Applicants having a GPA less than 3.0 but greater than 2.75 in previous college work and who meets all other admission requirements may be admitted as provisional students.
• Applicants having a GPA below 2.75 in previous college work cannot be admitted without approval from the dean or designate. If admission would be granted, it would be a provisional admission.

Students admitted to provisional status must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in their first semester.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for admission; however, high scores on the GRE will provide additional evidence that the applicant is qualified for admission.

A minimum score of 213 (equivalent to 550 on the former scale) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all applicants from countries where the native language is not English. This requirement will be waived for students who have completed a recent four-year bachelor's degree in the United States. In some cases, it may be possible to consider applications from students who lack the adequate TOEFL scores but who will enroll in WVU's Intensive English Program.

Curriculum in Master of Science in Energy Systems Engineering

A candidate for the M.S. degree in energy systems engineering must comply with the rules and regulations as outlined in the WVU Graduate Catalog and the specific requirements of the Statler College and the specific department in which the student’s concentration is in.

Program Requirements

All M.S. degree candidates are required to perform research and follow a planned program of study. The student’s research advisor, in conjunction with the student’s Advising and Examining Committee (AEC) will be responsible for determining the plan of study appropriate to the student’s needs. The underlying principle of the planned program is to provide the students with the necessary support to complete their degree and prepare them for their career.

Curriculum Requirements

Technical Electives

Final Examination

M.S. students following the thesis or problem report option must prepare a written research proposal. The proposal must be approved by the student's AEC at least one semester prior to the final oral examination.

All students, regardless of option, are required to pass a final oral or written examination, administered by their AEC, covering the thesis or problem report and/or related course material.

Suggested Plan of Study

The plan below illustrates the Problem Report Option. It is important for students to take courses in the order specified as much as possible; all prerequisites and concurrent requirements must be observed.  A typical M.S.E.S.E degree program that completes degree requirements in one year is as follows. 

Major Learning Goals

Upon graduation, with a Masters of Science degree in Energy Systems Engineering, students will have:

• Understanding of the supply chain for carbon based and “green” energy, for production, conversion or processing, transmission, and point of utilization;
• Advanced training in specialized areas of energy systems engineering;
• Ability to function at the highest levels of expertise in their chosen sub-discipline of energy, and who are well versed in the overall concepts of getting energy to consumers;
• Ability to complete on time specific professional-paper tasks
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently in a collaborative environment
• Understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
• Ability to understand the impact of engineering solutions in global and societal context
• Recognition of the need to engage in life-long learning

Faculty

Committee

• Kashy Aminian
• Roger Chen
• Bhaskaran Gopalakrishnan
• Hailin Li
• Yi Luo
• Jignesh Solanki