Program Description
Graduates of the Mines/NREL Advanced Energy Systems (AES) graduate engineering degree program are uniquely positioned to enter leadership roles in advanced energy innovation and energy systems integration in government, academia, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.
With a focus on emerging energy technologies, the Advanced Energy Systems (AES) graduate engineering degree program is designed to enable future energy professionals and research leaders to tackle the complex challenges of a dynamic energy world. The breadth of potential research topics is considerable and spans topical areas including biofuels, hydrogen and electrochemical devices, solar, wind, building energy systems, grid modernization, energy security and resilience. A common thread is the application of science and engineering fundamentals to develop effective solutions in any of the dimensions needed to secure a sustainable energy future.
The Mines/NREL AES program is structured around three core pillars to provide students with a broad, rigorous foundation in the energy sector. Core coursework is balanced with elective courses required to develop deep expertise in the selected STEM area of focus. Ph.D. candidates from a variety of STEM backgrounds engage in dedicated research under the guidance of Mines and NREL advisors. Learn about NREL’s research and research collaborations.
Beyond the core curriculum, the program design allows guided flexibility to encourage individual student strengths and STEM interests across both campuses.
To learn more about the AES degree program, contact us at energy@mines.edu
MINES AND NREL JOIN FORCES TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF ENERGY
Program Information
Master's Non-Thesis Requirements
The AES Master of Science, Non-Thesis (MS-NT) degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework. This includes 9 credit hours of core coursework and 21 credit hours of approved technical electives. For more information, please visit the Colorado School of Mines Academic Catalog.
| Coursework | Credits |
| ENGY 501: Physics of Energy Resources & Conversion (Fall) | 3 |
| ENGY 502: Energy for Transportation (Spring) | 3 |
| ENGY 503: Energy & Power Systems Integration (Fall) | 3 |
| Economics | 3 |
| Technical Electives | 18 |
| Total semester Hrs: | 30 |
For a sample list of technical electives, please see the elective courses list drop-down at the bottom of this page.
PhD Requirements
The AES PhD requires a minimum of 72 credit hours. A minimum of 36 credits of coursework and 36 credits of research must be completed. A minimum of 15 of the 36 credits of required coursework must be taken at Colorado School of Mines as the three core courses plus the three 600-level PhD courses. For more information, please visit the Colorado School of Mines Academic Catalog.
The following is a typical PhD schedule of progression through major milestones from admission to final defense.
Year 1
Coursework Research
Fall ENGY 501: Physics of Energy Resources & Resources Conversion (3.0 Semester Hours)
ENGY 503: Energy & Power Systems Integration (3.0 Semester Hours)ENGY 691: Introduction to Research Methods in the Energy Sciences (3.0 Semester Hours)
ENGY 693: AES Graduate Student Seminar (0.5 Semester Hours)
Additional subject coursework as recommended by faculty advisor. Research topic exploration
Spring ENGY 502: Energy for Transportation (3.0 Semester Hours)
ENGY 692: Project Focused Research in Energy Science & Technology (3.0 Semester Hours)ENGY 693: AES Graduate Student Seminar (0.5 Semester Hours)
Additional subject coursework as recommended by faculty advisor. ENGY 707: Research Credits
NREL Research Internship to help guide NREL mentorship.
Confirmation of Mines faculty advisor and NREL mentor
Summer Qualifying Research Exam - June ENGY 707: Research Credits Thesis research under the primary direction of Mines faculty advisor in collaboration with NREL mentor
Year 2
Coursework Research
Fall Electives and subject coursework ENGY 693: AES Graduate Student Seminar (0.5 Semester Hours) ENGY 707: Research Credits
Spring Electives and subject coursework ENGY 693: AES Graduate Student Seminar (0.5 Semester Hours) ENGY 707: Research Credits
Confirmation of dissertation committee
Summer ENGY 707: Research Credits
Year 3
Coursework Research
Fall Electives and subject coursework (if applicable) ENGY 693: AES Graduate Student Seminar (0.5 Semester Hours) ENGY 707: Research Credits
Thesis Proposal to be completed fall of year 3 or earlier
Spring Electives and subject coursework (if applicable) ENGY 693: AES Graduate Student Seminar (0.5 Semester Hours) ENGY 707: Research Credits
Summer ENGY 707: Research Credits
Year 4
Coursework Research
Fall ENGY 693: AES Graduate Student Seminar (0.5 Semester Hours) ENGY 707: Research Credits
Preliminary defense to be completed fall of year 4 or earlier (approximately 9-12 months before final defense)
Spring ENGY 693: AES Graduate Student Seminar (0.5 Semester Hours) ENGY 707: Research Credits
Final defense to be completed 9-12 months following preliminary defense
NREL Research engagement
The AES degree program provides PhD students with the distinctive research and professional development experiences of working alongside industry thought leaders and innovators in a world-class laboratory setting. PhD students work with both Mines academic advisors and NREL research mentors on collaborative research spanning integrated energy systems and energy science and technologies, including:
- Energy Systems Integration
- Scientific Computing and Energy Analysis
- Bioenergy Science and Technology
- Mechanical and Thermal Energy Sciences
- Materials & Chemical Science and Technology
Requirements and Outcomes
- Participate in a graduate seminar series
- Conduct a literature review on chosen topic of interest under guidance of faculty advisor and research mentor
- Prepare and present a research plan with quantitative objectives and a testable hypothesis
- Interview key subject matter experts and communicate research progress
- Prepare a technical report in support of a multi-investigator research program
Core Course Descriptions
MS-NT & PhD Core Courses:
ENGY 501: Physics of Energy Resources & Conversion
This course will provide successful students a quantitative understanding of how fossil, renewable and nuclear energy resources are harnessed to electric power. A foundational underpinning will be the thermodynamics of energy conversion, using fundamental principles and language bridging physics, chemistry and engineering. Examples will be taken from both established and emerging technologies spanning solar, nuclear, wind fossil fuel and bioenergy conversion. Students will also learn how to analyze electricity generation, transmission, and grid-scale storage systems with a focus on the U.S. as a framework for analyzing other developing markets.
ENGY 502: Energy for Transportation
This course focuses on multiple aspects of current and proposed transportation technologies to analyze the challenges and opportunities of moving toward more sustainable transportation infrastructure. This course is designed to train students to develop analytical skills and to use computational tools for evaluating performance and environmental impacts of various vehicle and fueling technologies. Successful students will develop a basis for assessing energy resource requirements and environmental concerns within the context of technical performance, policy frameworks, and social perspectives. The course will include the following topics: travel demand and travel modes; transportation technologies; fossil-fuel and electric power plants and associated fuels; emissions (CO2 and pollutants) formation and impacts on air quality, climate, and human health; national/international transportation policy; and transportation planning.
ENGY 503: Energy & Power Systems Integration
This course will provide students with basic skills to analyze the operation and evolution of the electric grid and electricity utilization with a particular emphasis on trends toward increased renewable energy penetration. The course will develop students’ analytical skills to evaluate how electricity generation, transmission, distribution and storage are managed and controlled. Successful students will gain a basic understanding of electromechanical machines for power conversion and AC power distribution as well as renewable energy sources and battery systems with DC storage. The course will introduce students to how efficient energy utilization and demand response management impact the electric grid performance and electricity markets. An emphasis on managing energy loads in buildings, the commercial sector, and energy-intensive manufacturing will expose students to system-level modeling tools that can assess how to manage power demands with transient power generation and market forces. The course will also address the integrated nature of energy systems with an emphases on connections to water demands and on risks arising due to cybersecurity and resiliency threats facing the electric grid.
Additional PhD Core Courses:
ENGY 691: Introduction to Research Methods in the Energy Sciences
This course introduces graduate students enrolled in the Advanced Energy Systems Program to research opportunities, culture, and expectations in energy science and technology with a particular emphasis on systems and/or policy analysis. Students will work within directorates at NREL with an emphasis on systems modeling, analysis, and/or integration. This class will engage students in a semester-long research project in energy system analysis and prepare students for best practices with respect to research project and data management, literature reading, report writing, and presentation.
ENGY 692: Project Focused Research in Energy Science & Technology
This course prepares graduate students enrolled in the Advanced Energy Systems Program in research practices, culture, and expectations in energy science and technology with a particular emphasis on science and engineering related to energy materials, processes, and/or systems. Students will work within directorates at NREL with an emphasis on science and/or technology. This class will engage students in a semester-long research project in energy science and/or technology. Students will also learn and practice journal publication and research poster best practices, research career path planning, and proposal funding strategies.
ENGY 693: AES Graduate Student Seminar
The Advanced Energy Systems Graduate Student Seminar is a series of presentations provided by graduate students to fellow graduate students, faculty, mentors, and guests. All Ph.D. students are expected to register for this course. The seminar course provides students, faculty, and mentors working in the AES Graduate Program an opportunity to hear updates on current research within the various cohorts and provides a chance for students to get constructive feedback on their presentation. In addition, the course will provide a venue for discussions on various topics related to methods for succeeding in research careers in academia, national labs, and industry, and topics of the day. The course format will be to have two graduate-student presentations with critical feedback, followed by a discussion session on various professional development topics.
Elective Courses - Sample Listing
Advanced Manufacturing (AMFG):
AMFG 501: Additive Manufacturing
AMFG 511: Data Driven Advanced Manufacturing
AMFG 522: Lean Manufacturing
Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBEN):
CBEN 569: Fuel Cell Science and Technology
Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEEN):
CEEN 501: Life Cycle Analysis
CEEN 505: Numerical Methods for Engineers
CEEN 560 Molecular Microbial Ecology and the Environment
CEEN 570: Water and Wastewater Treatment
CEEN 571: Advanced Water Treatment Engineering and Water Reuse
CEEN 592: Environmental Law
CEEN 594: Risk Assessment
CHGN 511: Applied Radiochemistry
CHGN 581: Electrochemistry
CHGN 584: Fundamentals of Catalysis
CSCI 542: Simulation
CSCI 555: Game Theory and Networks
CSCI 571: Artificial Intelligence
CSCI 575: Machine Learning
Electrical Engineering (EENG):
EENG 514: Data Science for Electrical Engineering
EENG 515: Mathematical Methods for Signals and Systems
EENG 570: Advanced High Power Electronics
EENG 571: Modern Adjustable Speed Electric Drives
EENG 572: Renewable Energy and Distributed Generation
EENG 573: Electric Power Quality
EENG 580: Power Distributions System Engineering
EENG 581: Power System Operation and Management
EENG 582: High Voltage AC and DC Power Transmission
EENG 583: Advanced Electrical Machine Dynamics
EENG 584. Power System Risk Management
EENG 586: Communication Networks for Power Systems
EENG 587: Power Systems Protection and Relaying
EENG 588: Energy Policy, Restructuring and Deregulation of Electricity Market
Mechanical Engineering (MEGN):
MEGN 514: Continuum Mechanics
MEGN 552: Vicous Flow Boundary Layers
MEGN 560: Design and Simulation of Thermal Systems
MEGN 566: Combustion
MEGN 569: Fuel Cell Science and Technology
MEGN 571: Advanced Heat Transfer
MEGN 585: Network Models
MEGN 586: Linear Optimization
MEGN 587: Nonlinear Optimization
MEGN 588: Integer Optimization
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (MTGN):
MTGN 569: Fuel Cell Science and Technology
MTGN 593: Nuclear Materials Science and Engineering
NUGN 506: Nuclear Fuel Cycle
NUGN 510: Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics
NUGN 520: Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Thermal-Hydraulics
NUGN 580: Nuclear Reactor Laboratory
NUGN 590: Computational Reactor Physics
PHGN 504: Radiation Detection and Measurement
PHGN 542: Solid State Devices and Photovoltaic Applications