Course Descriptions
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy Management degree program requires students to complete the following 10 courses (30 credits) as part of the 120 credit minimum. Students are recommended to follow the sequence below.
ENRG 302 Ethical Issues in the Energy Industry
ENRG 310 Energy Production and the Environment
ENRG 315 Energy Management Communications
ENRG 320 Fundamentals of Workforce Safety
ENRG 330 Public Policy and Sustainability
ENRG 404 New and Emerging Energy Technologies
ENRG 412 Energy Economics and Finance
ENRG 420 Energy Markets and Structures
ENRG 430 Project Management in the Energy Industry
ENRG 435 Managing Energy Facilities
ENRG 302 - Ethical Issues in the Energy Industry - 3 Credits
Since its inception, the energy industry has faced ethical challenges, from the Edison-Westinghouse feuds to the events leading up to PUHCA in 1935; from Enron to the failed deregulation attempts in California; there have been numerous instances of ethical dilemmas and governmental response to these issues. This class will look at these issues, what safeguards have been put in place to prevent recurrence, and conclude with several case studies to challenge the students.
ENRG 310 - Energy Production and the Environment - 3 Credits
This class will provide an in-depth look at current environmental issues facing the energy industry as a whole. Included will be a detailed look at the greatest environmental challenge the industry currently faces, climate change.
ENRG 315 - Energy Management Communications - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: ENGL 125, BADM 202
With the evolution of the smart grid and other advanced technologies across the energy industry more information is readily available on a system wide basis for employees, supervisors and managers. In today's energy field effective communication goes beyond the written and verbal by encompassing the understanding of the specific energy industry nomenclature used in a very technical and hazardous industry. Effectively communicating and precisely managing this information is essential for the energy industry in order to compete in an ever changing global environment. Development, dissemination and compliance of written communication plans are essential in everyday business, interpersonal communications, in crisis situations and in dealing with conflicts in the workplace. Organizational communications, climate, culture and our ethical obligation to society will be discussed in steady state, crisis and hazardous situations. Maintaining environmental compliance and ensuring efficient, reliable and clean energy for the nation are imperative for an industry that will remain under close scrutiny in the foreseeable future.
ENRG 320 - Fundamentals of Workforce Safety - 3 Credits
This course presents advanced safety policies and regulations that impact occupational safety and health issues in the workplace. Students will study processes and procedures that protect both the workers and the organizations. Written safety programs, training, workers compensation, the value of safety, and means to build a safety culture in an organization will be studied in the course.
ENRG 330 - Public Policy and Sustainability - 3 Credits
Students learn about public policy in the United States by studying the following topics: the types of public policy, the policymakers, agenda-setting, policy formation, budgeting, policy adoption, and policy evaluation. Topics such as why sustainability matters; the different functions of the private, public and non-profit sectors; ecological economics; the interplay of cost-benefit analysis, environmental impact statements, and multicriteria appraisal; the interdependency of Earths systems; how to recognize sustainable economic growth; and technologies for sustainability will also be addressed.
All 300 level ENRG courses must be completed prior to enrolling in 400 level ENRG courses
ENRG 404 - New and Emerging Energy Technologies - 3 Credits
Students in this course will explore the latest in energy technologies and how they are designed to increase efficiencies, protect the environment and streamline processes. Students will discover how some of the "new technologies" have been around for quite some time and the reasons they are capturing new attention.
ENRG 412 - Energy Economics and Finance - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: ACCT 200, ACCT 201, ECON 201, ECON 202
This course serves as an introduction to corporate financial management in the energy industry. It covers both upstream and downstream of the fossil fuel industry, power generation, and the renewables sector, with an emphasis on the financing issues that energy facility managers handle. The primary objective of the course is to provide the concepts, framework, and tools needed to analyze financial decisions based on fundamental principles of economic and financial theories. Topics covered include corporate structures, risk management practices, introduction to capital budgeting techniques under uncertainty, asset valuation, the operation and efficiency of capital markets, the optimal capital structure and dividend policy of the firm and options.
ENRG 420 - Energy Markets and Structures - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: ACCT 200, ACCT 201, ECON 201, ECON 202
This course provides a comprehensive overview of energy markets, pricing, structures, and economics specifically relating to the energy industry. Students will study the structure of various energy markets and learn to quantify the influence of market structure on energy prices. The course will cover new and emerging markets and learn how modern energy markets are being transformed from regulated monopolies into market-driven suppliers of competitively priced energy and related services.
ENRG 430 - Project Management in the Energy Industry - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: ACCT 200, MATH 210
This course introduces students to project management in the energy field and is designed for those who aspire to be energy industry managers and supervisors. It provides a comprehensive overview of project management theory, terms and concepts. Students will discover the project life cycle and learn how to build a successful project from pre-implementation to completion. The course emphasizes real world applications, including the five stages of a project (initiation, planning, execution, monitoring/control and closure); work breakdown structures and how they pertain to project management; project estimation (budget vs. forecasts vs. actuals) and cost controls; the “triangle” of project control (scope, duration, costs); and different types of project risks and methods of mitigation.
The course will cover these subjects and how they contribute to the success of a project. The course will use theoretical and case studies of actual projects that will be encountered in the energy industry.
This course requires knowledge of Microsoft Excel
ENRG 435 - Managing Energy Facilities - 3 Credits
Students must have all other coursework completed to enroll in this course.
This course provides a comprehensive overview of facilities management specifically related to the energy industry. Students will study the theories and principles associated with managing large energy production facilities. Major areas analyzed are facilities operations, maintenance, staff management, budgeting, scheduling, managing capital projects, and relationships with contractors and vendors. Students explore current issues related to facilities management and its relationship to various organizational units including human resources, operations, occupational health and safety, labor relations and unions, finance, purchasing and executive management.