Academic Programs
Energy Technical Specialist, A.A.S.
Locations: Canby, Granite Falls, and Online | Links to: Program friendly version Articulation agreements Program video tour Faculty/Program webpage |
This degree, which can be completed online, will prepare students for work as technicians in energy technology and convey the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in the traditional and renewable energy fields.
In addition to 15 General Education credits, students enrolled in the Energy Technical Specialist program will study a 35 credit core curriculum providing a strong base in electrical, electronic and mechanical systems. Students will select 10 credits in an area of specialization to complete their program of study from the following: Wind Energy, Ethanol, Biodiesel, Fossil Fuels or Nuclear Power Generation.
The Energy Technical Specialist degree is offered through a partnership of multiple colleges in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Each of the partner colleges offer courses in their respective areas of expertise and the participating colleges accept transfer courses from each other.
Students entering into the Energy Technical Specialist program should realize that the energy industry is highly specialized and there are extraordinary employment characteristics associated in some areas of the power industry. Depending on the energy company, hiring managers may require a federal background check, drug and alcohol testing, and a physical if necessary for a position.
COURSE # |
COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
Required Courses | ||
Industrial Safety |
2 | |
Introduction to Traditional and Renewable Energy | 3 | |
AC/DC I | 3 | |
AC/DC II | 3 | |
Process Dynamics | 3 | |
Mechanical Fundamentals for Processing Control | 3 | |
Program Logic Controls or | 3 | |
RNEW 2543
|
Program Logic Controls* | 3 |
Pneumatics Theory | 3 | |
Basic Hydraulics | 3 | |
Instrumentation & Control | 3 | |
P & ID & PFD Reading and | 1 | |
Auto CAD or | 2 | |
ECAD 1023
|
Print Reading * | 3 |
RNEW 1507
|
Basic Digital Electronics * | 3 |
General Education Requirements | ||
College Algebra | 3 | |
Composition I | 3 | |
Survey of Physics | 3 | |
Issues in the Environment | 3 | |
General Education Electives | 3 | |
Specialty Emphasis (select 10 credits) | ||
Wind Power | ||
Wind Energy Fundamentals | 3 | |
Environmental Health & Safety | 1 | |
Wind Energy OSHA Standards & Climbing Lab | 2 | |
|
BIO Fuel | |
Ethanol Process Fundamentals | 2 | |
Ethanol Separation Technology | 2 | |
Biodiesel Process Fundamentals | 2 | |
Industrial Water Treatment | 2 | |
Biodiesel Feedstocks Tech & Reg | 2 | |
Pollution control Fundamentals | 2 | |
RNEW 1110 | Low/High Pressure Boilers | 1 |
Fossil Fuels (curriculum under development) | ||
Power Generation (curriculum under development) | ||
Solar Power (curriculum under development) | ||
Total Credits | 60 |
Notes: * Not a Minnesota West course
Updated: si 10/18/19