The energy transition from fossil fuels to low-carbon and renewable energy sources, smart grids, and zero-carbon fuels are essential for developing our sustainable energy future.
Gateway Academic Programs
Academic Programs
Penn State students can engage sustainability’s biggest challenges through their coursework, service, and applied experiences. In alignment with our Climate Consortium, the Sustainability Learning Gateway’s overarching themes provide pathways to learning about sustainability challenges, diving deep into the issues inside and outside of the classroom, and developing expertise that is personally, civically, and professionally meaningful. You can also search by your level, undergraduate or graduate. We have included these academic programs for one of three reasons. The program must:
- Require sustainability explicitly (Ex: Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems, Energy and Sustainability Policy, or Sustainability Leadership);
- Provides a track or pathway for students to easily incorporate sustainability into the program (Architecture, Public Policy, or Ethics)
- Affords creativity or innovation to students to integrate sustainability into their program (Ex: Art, Integrative Sciences, or Music Composition).
There is a lot of information on these pages. Even still, we know special topics come up, individual faculty create sustainability-focused sections of courses, research experiences might be hidden somewhere, and new opportunities can emerge. To make the most of the Gateway and your sustainability journey, don’t hesitate to set up an appointment with an academic adviser or a trusted mentor for assistance. If you have questions or feedback about the Gateway, please email: sustainability@psu.edu.
Aerospace Engineering (B.S.)
Study analysis, design, and operation of aircraft and spacecraft, including both theory and practice.
Architectural Engineering (B.A.E.)
With an eye for design paired with strength in math and physics, implement sustainable design, material, and construction principles while creating buildings and spaces for public and private use.
Architecture (B.Arch.)
For those who seek careers as practicing architects and for those who wish to enter related design fields, become an expert in architecture.
Energy and Sustainability Policy (B.A.)
For those who desire an interdisciplinary background, this major explores energy and sustainability through the combined lenses of science, business, and public policy.
Energy and Sustainability Policy (B.S.)
For those who desire an interdisciplinary background, this major explores energy and sustainability through the combined lenses of science, business, and public policy.
Energy Business and Finance (B.S.)
For those interested in energy systems, learn about the integration of finance and business through understanding markets, risk analyses, and more.
Energy Engineering (B.S.)
Whether you’re interested in renewable or traditional fossil fuel industries, explore the world of energy through the lens of chemistry, physics, material science, and engineering.
Environmental Systems Engineering (B.S.)
The program is unique as it is designed to address critical environmental, safety, and health problems of the basic industries such as those involved in the extraction, conversion, and utilization of energy and mineral resources.
Integrative Science (B.S.)
For those who have education goals relating to scientific theory and practice across disciplinary areas, and who seek a high degree of flexibility, become knowledgeable across many disciplines.
Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
Design and implement sustainable solutions in realms such as production systems, technology, power plants, and more.
Arboriculture
The Arboriculture minor is designed to provide students with both an overview and in-depth understanding of the principles and practices of growing and maintaining trees, shrubs, and other perennial woody plants.
Architecture Studies
Combine the arts and humanities with engineering, science, and technology through examining global architecture.
Biological Engineering
Explore the world of biology through an engineering lens with a focus on production and processing systems, resource conservation methods, and even food engineering.
Earth and Sustainability
Explore global sustainability issues in the context of marine, land, and atmospheric systems.
Energy Engineering
Whether you’re interested in renewable or traditional fossil fuel industries, explore the world of energy through the lens of chemistry, physics, material science, and engineering.
Sustainability Leadership
Promote environmental, social, and economic sustainability in personal and professional lives through studying systems thinking, change agency, ethics, and more.
Combine your engineering skills in energy systems with financial expertise in financial analysis and risk management, which is especially applicable in a changing climate.
Study analysis, design, and operation of aircraft, spacecraft, and wind turbines including both theory and practice, offering students the means to explore sustainable and renewable energy and efficiency.
Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Gain expertise in several areas that relate to the world’s most important sociotechnological and sustainability challenges including energy, environment, crop/food production, and health.
Architecture
A research-focused degree program designed to offer research inquiry into architecture, offering students the means for sustainable building design.
Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems (Bioenergy, Solar, Wind, Sustainability Management and Policy)
Study in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability systems to lead the world’s transformation from an unsustainable, fossil energy economy to a renewable, sustainable basis of operation.
ARCH412: Integrative Energy and Environmental Design
This course covers concepts and strategies for the environmentally conscious design of the built environment.
ARCH480: Technical Systems Integration
This course emphasizes the integrated analysis and design of buildings from multiple technical and architectural perspectives, teaching students to synthesize structural, mechanical, electrical, lighting, acoustic, and sustainability systems to enhance both performance and design intent in architectural practice.
BE464: Bioenergy Systems Engineering
This course covers the fundamental theories and applied technologies used in production (sustainable cropping systems, harvest, etc.) and conversion (ethanol fermentation, biodiesel catalysis, etc.) of biomass into transportation fuels, heat, power, electricity, chemicals, and other value-added products.
CHE423: Chemical Energy Technology
This course surveys current (coal power plants, petroleum refineries) and emerging (solar energy conversion, and agricultural/biological fuel conversion) chemical energy storage and conversion technologies, emphasizing quantitative evaluation and future energy scenario planning through interactive discussions and a semester-long project.
EARTH104: Climate, Energy, and Our Future
This course examines the science, history, and future of energy systems, exploring how society can transition from fossil fuels to sustainable alternatives that support economic growth, environmental protection, and improved quality of life while mitigating climate change.
EBF483: Introduction to Electricity Markets
This course examines the structure and regulation of the U.S. electricity industry, with a focus on market restructuring, regulatory institutions, and market mechanisms such as Locational Marginal Pricing, with an emphasis on Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region.
EBF484: Energy Economics
This course uses intermediate microeconomics to analyze the role of energy in the economy, focusing on firm behavior, market manipulation, and regulation of the social and environmental impacts of energy systems.
EGEE101: Energy and the Environment
This course examines energy resources, technologies, and their environmental implications, equipping students to critically assess energy use, global climate concerns, and future alternatives, fostering active and informed citizenship.
EGEE102: Energy Conservation for Environmental Protection
This course introduces the principles of standard energy-using devices and home systems, promoting energy efficiency, cost savings, and environmental responsibility to inform everyday decisions.
EGEE401: Energy in a Changing World
Through this course, students will understand the interrelationship between legislative, technological, environmental, and international factors associated with energy production, processing, distribution, and utilization.
EGEE420: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
This course covers the fundamental principles of electrochemical engineering, including hydrogen production and storage, as well as the design, operation, and applications of various fuel cell types, along with their advantages and disadvantages.
EGEE437: Design of Solar Energy Conversion Systems
This course reviews fundamental concepts of solar energy conversion, including photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, covering solar radiation, material properties, system design, and thermal power generation, with hands-on projects and presentations.
EGEE438: Wind and Hydropower Energy Conversion
This spring semester course explores the principles of sustainability and renewable energy conversion, focusing on wind and hydrokinetic resources, their technologies, economics, and environmental impacts, and includes team projects and presentations.
EGEE439: Alternative Fuels from Biomass Sources
This course examines bio-based energy technologies for power and transportation, their environmental implications, and the feasibility of developing biomass fuels and biorefineries to meet energy needs sustainably.
EME407: Electrochemical Energy Storage
This course covers electrochemical concepts in energy storage devices, cell construction, and materials involved in batteries and capacitors, electrochemical testing methods, and applications.
EME432: Energy Policy
This course explores the analysis, formulation, implementation, and impacts of energy-related policies, regulations, and initiatives.
EME444: Global Energy Enterprise
This course explores the influence of public and private nonmarket actors on energy markets through case studies and guided analysis and provides an overview of technical, environmental, economic, and sociopolitical aspects of modern energy and international policy.
EMSC240N: Energy and Sustainability in Contemporary Culture
This course explores energy and sustainability through critical analysis of books and films, combining foundational science with humanistic perspectives to prepare students for informed, values-based engagement with contemporary global issues.
EMSC302: Orientation to Energy and Sustainability Policy
This course introduces students to the goals, expectations, and resources of the Energy and Sustainability Policy program, focusing on foundational skills in energy knowledge, global perspective, analysis, communication, and ethics.
EMSC420: Energy and Modern Society
This course addresses the technology and economics of energy resources, production, and consumption, including environmental factors, resource exhaustion, and the impact of new technology.
GEOG432: Energy Policy
This course explores the analysis, formulation, implementation, and impacts of energy-related policies, regulations, and initiatives.
GEOG437W: Energy Geographies and Policy
This course explores the motivations, key concepts, and contemporary challenges of US and international energy policy through engaging with concepts of scale, place, landscape, and materiality to evaluate energy policy issues.
GEOG438W: Human Dimensions of Global Warming
This course examines the human causes and consequences of global warming, with a focus on its social, economic, and policy dimensions.
GEOG469: Energy Industry Applications of GIS
This course examines the application of geographic information systems (GIS) in energy infrastructure siting, particularly for electric transmission lines, through hands-on projects that develop students’ analytical skills and deepen their understanding of industry challenges.
MATSE101: Energy and the Environment
This course examines energy utilization and technological development, energy resources, conversion, and their impact on the local and global environment, as well as future energy alternatives.
STS201: Climate Change, Energy, and Biodiversity
This course examines the studies of global warming, energy options, and biodiversity, and their interrelations as scientific and societal issues.
STS420: Energy and Modern Society
This course explores the technology and economics of energy resources, production, and consumption; environmental factors, exhaustion, and new technology.
