1. Energy Studies Minor at MIT
Ann Greaney-Williams, Academic Coordinator MIT Energy Initiative, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Priyanka Chatterjee, MIT Undergraduate Mechanical and Ocean Engineering, Energy Studies

2. A little Minor history MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) launched in 2006
Energy Education Task Force (EETF) created in 2007
By 2009, Energy Studies Minor established - signature energy education activity of MITEI
Challenges?
provide undergraduates with a flexible pathway through the energy landscape
prepare students for careers and graduate study
create a program that is inherently multidisciplinary
MITEI draws in faculty and students from across all 5 of MIT’s schools, and is not located within an individual department

3. Focusing on the energy system requires a multidisciplinary approach!
Students need to be fluent in the technological, social, and scientific dimensions of energy systems
Focus on energy systems
Sources…fossil fuels, solar, geothermal, wind, nuclear
Generate, store, convert, and distribute
Use and the social and environmental implications
Focus on three domains of minor
Foundations of Science in energy
Foundations of Social Science in energy
Engineering and Technology in Context in energy

4. Energy Studies Minor Curriculum
Energy Electives
Coursework in each of the three Core Curriculum Categories
Energy Science Foundations
Social Science Foundations in Energy
Energy Technology/ Engineering in Context
24 Units of approved Energy Elective subjects
Physics of Energy
Principles of Microeconomics
Energy, Decisions, Markets and Policies
Fundamentals of Energy Conversion
Fundamentals of Energy in Buildings
Introduction to Sustainable Energy
Energy, Materials and Manufacturing Politics of Energy and the Environment
Fundamentals of Photovoltaics
Nuclear Systems Design Project
Course Sample

5. What is our governance structure?
InterSchool Educational Council (ISEC), during first 3 years
Multi-school participation through ISEC and Energy Minor Oversight Committee (EMOC)
Volunteer faculty-led
Student participation
Professional support through MITEI

6. Current challenges and opportunities
curriculum offerings; curriculum renewal
enrollment trends and diversity
extending offerings by advancing internship and career opportunities
Opportunities
leveraging alumni and seniors as mentors
creating connections and community within a dispersed student group

7. The Student Perspective
Freshman Opportunities
DELTA FPOP
Terrascope Program
At least one energy-related class per term
MIT teaching-style + Project- based learning
2 MITEI UROPs
C3E Conference Presentations
Internship with Chevron
MITEI Sustaining Member

8. Getting to Know the Network
MIT Networking
Face-time with MITEI directors
Faculty advising and mentorship
Monthly lunches with fellow students
Professional Networking
MIT-based and external conferences
Corporate dinners
Clubs & Organizations
MIT Undergraduate Energy Club

9. Major over Minor No one field defines Energy!
Multidisciplinary >17 majors involved!
Variety of perspectives on energy
Collaboration with students & faculty across departments
Depth vs. Breadth
Who am I?
An engineer, scientist, or social scientist?

10. Popularity of the Minor at MIT
Class of 2014
3rd largest minor
Largest class in 5 years (35 students; 40% women)
Extra Slide 1

11. Where do Energy Studies Minors go after graduation?
Total Graduates 89 (some worked at two positions after graduation; 1 established company/ 1 startup)
8% of graduates founded or co-founded a startup
If student's first and second job occur at same company (promotion), they are counted only once.
If student's second job appears under Masters/PhD, this indicates that the student worked first, then went on to graduate study.

12. Questions?
Ann Greaney-Williams MIT Energy Initiative Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Avenue, E Cambridge, MA mitei.mit.edu/education
Priyanka Chatterjee