Building on its recently established Initiative for Sustainable Energy (ISE), the School of Engineering at Brown University is now accepting applications for a master’s degree in sustainable energy. The one-year, eight-course program will add to the School’s existing offerings, and prepare students to join cross-disciplinary teams working on policy and projects in renewable energy, electrification, decarbonization, carbon management, climate mitigation, climate risk, distributed energy resources, microgrids, smart grids, resilience, and related areas. An advanced degree in sustainable energy will equip students with the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to deploy sustainable energy systems, addressing the urgent and growing demand for technically and scientifically literate practitioners.
“An era of rapid change is remaking energy systems, with pressures to reduce carbon emissions and increase resilience, even as demands for power accelerate,” said Rod Beresford, a professor and director of the program. “This integrative and intensive program prepares students to join cross-disciplinary teams in both the public and private sectors, crafting transition pathways and advancing sustainable energy solutions.”
In response to global climate change, the United States is undergoing a major transition to decarbonize its energy system with the goal of shifting to renewable energy sources within the next decade. Key sectors like transportation, buildings, and industry are aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. These changes are complex, involving shifts in economics, politics, regulations, technology, and science.
The Brown University master's in sustainable energy will focus on shaping the future of energy systems, going beyond current practices to explore how energy systems might evolve over the next few decades in line with technology advancements. The program will integrate knowledge from climate science, engineering, policy, economics, and sustainability, while providing hands-on experience with energy system analysis, modeling, and planning at a level used in government, industry, and advocacy.
“We challenge students to integrate knowledge across a wide range of science, engineering, policy, and business topics, develop a focused expertise in one aspect of sustainable energy systems, and prepare to enter or re-enter a career path directly impacting the progress of electrification and decarbonization,” said Beresford.
Students with recent bachelor of science degrees in engineering, environmental science, math, and related disciplines pursuing careers that involve legislative affairs, scientific and technical analysis, policy and advocacy leaders, and similar are encouraged to apply. Additional information is available at https://engineering.brown.edu/graduate/programs-and-deadlines/sustainable-energy-masters-program. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2025, and the first cohort is expected to begin the program in September 2025.