New Sustainable Energy Systems Concentration in Mechanical Engineering beginning Fall 2022

The College of Engineering is now offering a new Sustainable Energy Systems Concentration in Mechanical Engineering to provide students with the foundation and skills needed to compete in the new clean energy economy.

Sustainable development is a major push in industry and government and consumption of renewable energy is projected to be the fastest growing energy source for the next 30 years.  With that increase in consumption, there are a growing number of job opportunities.  The sequence of courses within the sustainable energy systems concentration will allow students to gain knowledge and expertise in the principles of sustainable power generation. In addition, they will also gain experience in sustainable energy consumption in the design of the built environment.

“Achieving a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering with a Sustainable Energy Systems concentration will help you to play a critical role in addressing traditional and changing industry trends and sources of energy that impact Louisiana’s economy and the environment,” said Ahmed Khattab, Dean of the College of Engineering. “Your knowledge, skills, and abilities in sustainable energy systems will prepare you for the future and enable you to navigate the ever-changing energy landscape,” continued Khattab.

In addition to formal coursework and independent studies a wide range of topics will be covered, such as renewable energy, energy systems and sustainability, introduction to solar energy systems, solar energy system design, energy conversion, environmental engineering, and industrial economics and finance to name a few.

Students in the Sustainable Energy Systems concentration will have access to world-class sustainable energy laboratories, including the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) Laboratory, the Louisiana Solar Energy Lab, and the Cleco Alternative Energy Center.  “Hands-on access to some of the best research and education labs in the country provide our Sustainable Energy Systems concentration graduates with a competitive edge in the global clean energy market,” said Alan Barhorst, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

For more information or questions about a Sustainable Energy Systems concentration, please email Dr. Alan Barhorst, Department Head of Mechanical Engineering at alan.barhorst@louisiana.edu.