Energy Technology
Program Description:
The Energy Technology Program introduces students to the full suite of energy systems and technologies—traditional and renewable—and prepares them for careers in the rapidly expanding energy industry. Graduates of the program are general practitioners skilled in design, installation, maintenance, and operation of energy systems; site identification and assessment; structural audits for energy efficiency and conservation; project management; regulatory compliance; and basic economic, environmental and social impact assessments. These specialized skills are built upon a strong education in math, science, communications, computing, and business.
Student Outcomes:
Upon completion students will:
- Understand the basics of energy production, delivery, consumption, and waste disposal
- Comprehend traditional, alternative, and sustainable energy production technologies
- Evaluate energy production sites
- Identify factors affecting energy efficiency and conservation
- Assist in the design, installation, maintenance, and management of energy systems
- Assess societal, economic, environmental, ethical, and legal impacts of energy systems
- Identify and practice safe workplace habits
- Develop and practice professional standards of communication and management skills
Special Features of Program:
- Broad-based curriculum enables graduates to seek employment in different sectors of the energy industry in Montana as these emerge and grow
- Industry and professional participation in curriculum building, internship sites, and practicum sites provides students with early and frequent contact with potential employers
- Graduates trained as mid-level project and personnel managers as well as general practitioners able to practice and work in a wide variety of positions in the energy sector
Related Job Titles:
- Energy efficiency auditors
- Field energy analysts
- Project technicians
- Energy technicians
- Project managers
- Equipment suppliers
- Environmental assessment technicians
- Renewable energy site assessment technicians
- Construction workers
- Grid and pipeline operators/technicians
- Wind technicians
- Solar photovoltaic and solar thermal installers
- Biofuel-plant operators/technicians
- Geothermal technicians
Program Delivery:
- This is an online program. Campus residency is currently required for completion of EET 112 Basic Electronics Lab and NRG 191 Practicum. These courses are delivered using an intensive hybrid delivery to provide program accessibility for distance students. This curriculum requirement provides students with 5 credits (approximately 150 hours) of lab-based training.
- For those students preferring the classroom, the majority of courses are offered in a traditional classroom setting. The list below identifies those courses which are only offered online.
CAR 235 Building Energy Conservation - 3 cr.
CRT 209T Project Management - 3 cr.
NRG 213 Power Systems Technology - 3 cr.
NRG 295 Energy Storage and Distribution Systems - 3 cr.
and Energy-Related Directed Electives (15 cr.)
Partnerships:
Curriculum articulations are in place with other institutions in the Montana University Systems. All students are required to complete 51% of their courses through the University of Montana, Missoula. The program is interested in partnering with students and other institutions in creating articulations for the delivery of this program. Currently articulated partnerships exist with:
- Flathead Valley Community College - Kalispell
- Miles Community College – Miles City
Entry Times:
Fall Semester
Spring Semester (with approval)
For further information, contact:
Jenny Gorsegner, program assistant
(406) 243-7916
jennifer.gorsegner@umontana.edu
or
Tom Gallagher, department chairman
(406) 243-7814
thomas.gallagher@umontana.edu
http://ace.cte.umt.edu/energy
This website is paid for in part by a
USDOL WIRED Grant from the Montana
Department of Commerce in conjunction with
the Montana Department of Labor.