The Ohio State University’s new Master of Energy Sustainability (MES) program welcomed its first graduate students this semester with the aim of helping prepare future leaders to reshape the energy economy toward a more sustainable future.
The MES program is interdisciplinary and encourages systems thinking to help students succeed through a deeper understanding of the myriad connections among the business, technical, environmental, social, policy and other dimensions of the energy industry. The program is designed to admit students from any background or experience who are interested in a career in energy resource and technology sectors. It is administered by the Sustainability Institute at Ohio State in strong collaboration with the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and the College of Engineering.
“No matter where you go, energy will be a foundation of economic prosperity and societal wellbeing,” said Josh Knights, interim director of the Sustainability Institute. “We designed this program to provide students with a holistic understanding of energy systems in a wide range of sectors, including industry, non-profits, government and local communities.”
The MES program draws on the deep energy expertise at Ohio State and is led by faculty director Dave Cole, Ohio Research Scholar and Professor in the School of Earth Sciences, with faculty co-directors Brent Sohngen, Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics, and Jordan Clark, Associate Professor in Civil, Environmental, and Geodetic Engineering and in Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering.
Importantly, this program can be completed in one calendar year, including an opportunity to gain hands-on exposure to an energy-related workplace through experiential learning. The courses offered were chosen to maximize an understanding of complex energy systems as well as the benefits and tradeoffs of utilizing those systems. Students are also exposed to the concepts of team science, which are essential to working in a more sustainable energy workforce.
Students involved in the program will participate in at least 19 credit hours of interdisciplinary coursework within the program as well as 12 credit hours of generalist pathway coursework and a 2-credit hour experience in an energy-related workplace. In the future, the program hopes to offer specialist pathways as a part of the overall program structure.
Candidates for the program must have completed an undergraduate degree in any field of study. Additionally, the minimum GPA requirement is a 3.0, and completion of calculus is recommended. Applications to the program will be received every semester.
Interested current or future students can apply through the Graduate and Professional Admissions website. Inquiries can be directed to Gina Jaquet, director of education and learning at the Sustainability Institute, or faculty director Dave Cole. More information is available on the Sustainability Institute website.