Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering

One of only a few true renewable energy engineering programs of its kind

Become an expert in an industry that's changing the way society uses energy with Alfred University’s renewable energy engineering bachelor’s degree (REE). One of only a few true renewable energy degree programs seated in a strong engineering foundation, this program gives you the tools, technology, and know-how you need following graduation to enter the growing renewable energy job market with countless opportunities.

School/Division

Inamori School of Engineering

Campus Locations

Main Campus - Alfred, NY

Major

Renewable Energy Engineering (BS)

Double Major

Double Major option(s) offered.
Learn More

Minor

Renewable Energy Engineering

Program Contact

Dan Lu

lu@alfred.edu

607-871-2059

WHY STUDY RENEWABLE ENERGY ENGINEERING AT ALFRED UNIVERSITY?

EXCLUSIVE RENEWABLE ENERGY ENGINEERING PROGRAM

Alfred University’s Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering is one of only a few true engineering degrees that specializes in renewable energy engineering.

AU'S MODERN FACILITIES

Put your knowledge into practice at Alfred’s new laboratory facilities for designing and testing renewable energy technologies. To learn more about AU’s facilities, visit the Inamori School of Engineering page.

Inamori School of Engineering

Showcase Your Talents

As a senior in the renewable energy engineering program, you will complete a senior design project that showcases your creative talents for solving real-world engineering problems.

What Will You Study in the Renewable Energy Engineering Program?

In your first year in the renewable energy engineering program, you will take Introduction to Engineering, Computer-aided Design, Computer-aided Engineering, and the Renewable Energy Engineering Explorations Lab as well as foundation courses in math, chemistry, and physics.

Hands-on practical experiences continue throughout the program as you learn more about mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and business as they relate to the generation, delivery, and consumption of energy from renewable sources. As a senior, you will undertake a year-long senior design project, learning how to function as an effective group member within a realistic, job-like environment.

What Do Renewable Energy Engineers Do?

Renewable energy engineers are energy engineers that specialize in renewable and alternative energy technologies. Renewable energy engineers develop renewable energy systems, make improvements to energy efficiency, and apply science and engineering with an economic sense to create a more sustainable future for our planet. As examples, renewable energy engineers may work on electrical systems, advanced controls, green buildings, energy-efficient lighting, fuel cells and batteries, wind turbines, and solar power systems.

What Will You Do After Graduation?

Graduating with a renewable energy engineering bachelor’s degree, you can look forward to working in energy industries specializing in renewable systems. You might work in the industry as a professional trained in government regulation, or become a regulator yourself. You might assist corporations in improving transmission and grid integration, power markets, utility operation and planning methods, and product management. Above all, the renewable energy engineering program will prepare you for communicating results to a broad audience including industrial, governmental, and public sectors.

Build Sustainable Energy Systems in Alfred University’s Renewable Energy Engineering Program

A Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering will prepare you to face the ever-evolving energy industry. Learn to analyze and interpret data, problem solve, take action on solutions and present findings to a range of audiences. Request more information about the renewable energy engineering program or begin your online application.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering will complete the following courses:

CHEM 105 General Chemistry I
CHEM 106 General Chemistry II
ENGR 101 Introduction to Engineering
ENGR 102 Computer Aided Design
ENGR 104 Computer Aided Engineering
ENGR 110 Technical Communication
ENGR 117 Engineering Foundations II
ENGR 220 Circuit Theory I
ENGR 305 Engineering Statistics
ENGR 306 Engineering Economics
ENGR 395 Engineering Design
ENGR 490 Senior Capstone Project
MATH 151 Calculus I
MATH 152 Calculus II
MATH 253 Calculus III
MATH 271 Differential Equations
MECH 212 Dynamics
MECH 320 Thermodynamics I
MECH 324 Fluid Mechanics I
MECH 326 Heat Transfer
MECH 354 Mechatronics
MECH 422 Control Systems
MECH 435 Industrial Controls
PHYS 125 Physics I
PHYS 126 Physics II
RNEW 201 Intro to Renewable Energy
RNEW 255 Power Systems and Economics
RNEW 303 Software Engineering
RNEW 310 Fuel Cell Principles and Techniques
RNEW 320 Circuit Theory II
RNEW 322 Signals and Systems
RNEW 431 Wind Energy Systems
RNEW 432 Solar Energy Systems
RNEW 468 Electric Machinery
Technical Elective
Humanities, Social Science and Arts electives

For more information, please review the School of Engineering Curriculum by Semester Worksheets by degree program.

Minor in Renewable Energy Engineering

The minor in renewable energy engineering is ideal for students majoring in science and engineering who want to learn more about renewable energy.

Core Courses

RNEW 201 Sources of Renewable Energy
MECH 324 Fluid Mechanics
MECH 326 Heat Transfer

Elective Courses (Choose two from the following list)

CEMS 352 Electroceramics
RNEW 310 Fuel Cells Principles and Techniques
RNEW 431 Wind Energy
RNEW 432 Solar Energy Systems

Renewable Energy Engineering is available as a double major to any Inamori School of Engineering undergraduate. Students earning a double major in Renewable Energy Engineering will complete all required courses for Renewable Energy Engineering along with courses required for their primary Engineering major.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DOUBLE MAJORS

REE Program Mission Statement

The REE Program at Alfred University is dedicated to the study and practice of Energy systems for a sustainable environment. Our mission is to produce the next generation of engineers and scientists who will develop and perfect renewable energy systems, make improvements on energy efficiency, and advance science and engineering with an economic sense in the aim to create a more sustainable future for our planet. Students of the REE program at Alfred will learn elements of mechanical and electrical engineering and business related to the generation, delivery and consumption of energy from renewable sources. Our systems level approach to education gives students access to the latest technologies and the wherewithal to apply them. Graduates of our program will work in the energy industries which specialize in renewable systems. They will work in industry as professionals trained in government regulation, or be regulators themselves. They will assist corporations in improving transmission and grid integration, power markets, utility operation and planning methods, and product management. They will be able to communicate results to a broad audience including industrial, government and the public sector.

The REE Program Mission Statement is consistent with that of the University and the SoE. Essential parts of the three Mission Statements are that students will be (1) good academicians, (2) good citizens, and (3) self-learners. This is consistent with the University’s major strength of being a comprehensive educational institution that provides individualized attention to the learning process.

ABET Accreditation

The BS program in Renewable Energy Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria.

If you have varied interests in engineering but are unsure which you excel at or enjoy working with the most, consider exploring our Undecided Engineering pathway. The Inamori School of Engineering provides this option to students who are undecided as first-year students and allows them to discover the field of engineering that's the best fit for them.

Undergraduate Full-Time Enrollment (from Fall Census)
Major	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
Biomat. Eng./Biomed Mat. Eng.	24	25	32	30	31	33	34
Ceramic Engineering	35	39	44	61	68	68	63
Electrical Engineering	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Glass Engineering Science	11	11	19	23	24	15	15
Materials Sci and Engineering	19	31	38	36	48	48	48
Mechanical Engineering	119	145	167	194	168	182	185
Renewable Energy Engineering	19	27	40	44	29	30	44
Undecided Engineering	18	17	34	22	26	26	37
Non-Degree	0		0	0	2	4	4
Unduplicated Headcount	245	295	374	410	394	402	426

B.S. Graduates (August Through May)
Major	2022-2023	2021-2022	2020-2021	2019-2020	2018-2019	2017-2018	2016-2017
Biomat. Eng./Biomed Mat. Eng.	3	4	12	7	4	8	7
Ceramic Engineering	8	15	8	21	16	12	19
Electrical Engineering	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Glass Engineering Science	2	2	7	3	3	0	4
Materials Sci and Engineering	7	15	8	9	16	7	10
Mechanical Engineering	28	58	35	53	36	51	37
Renewable Energy Engineering	13	11	14	6	10	10	12
Total Degrees	61	105	84	99	85	88	89

Engage with your peers in student clubs of all kinds. Renewable energy engineering students at AU can join clubs like the Saxon Racing club, the Society of Women Engineers and more.

What Will You Do?

Within the past few years, graduates have obtained jobs as:

Engineer - NYISO
Technical Product Manager for Power Film - AVX Corp.
Solar Technician - SunBug Solar
Glass Engineer - Owens Illinois
Process Engineer - AVX Corp.

Program Educational Objectives

The objectives of the REE Program are to produce graduates who can attain, within a few years of graduation,

Advancement within a multidisciplinary career within the context of renewable energy in industry, or advancement in postgraduate studies, or a related field.
An ability to actively engage in teams that solve problems with independent thinking with a drive towards excellence in their job/study performance.
Adopt the engineering method with their lifelong learning skills with an understanding of complex social issues where renewable systems will play a key role.

Alfred University uses program educational objectives as a method for outlining program outcomes and objectives. Program educational objectives (or PEOs) are broad statements that describe what we expect graduates of AU's renewable energy engineering program to attain 3-5 years after graduation. PEOs are reviewed and revised regularly to ensure that the program’s educational objectives are relevant to the needs of today's employers.

Program Outcomes (Student Learning Outcomes)

Graduates of the Renewable Energy Engineering program at Alfred University will have:

An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Student Stories

International Grad Student, International Club President, Mechanical & Propulsion Engineer

"Working along with faculty and pursuing my research was a lifetime goal that I achieved at AU. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere."

Renewable Energy Engineering 4+1 MBA

"I love the freedom and free-spirited nature of AU, the friendly atmosphere and the culture this university has created."

Mechanical Engineering and Dance

"I really appreciate the people that I have gotten close to at Alfred University. These individuals have been comforting, resourceful and loving sin..."

ghotbi@alfred.edu
Engineering Laboratories Room: 201

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Students enrolling in the Renewable Energy Engineering major often bolster their education by double majoring or minoring in these other closely related fields:

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