Energy Geoscience

The Graduate Certificate in Energy Geoscience equips students with crucial concepts and technical skills in alternative energy, carbon and hydrogen storage, geothermal energy, energy minerals, and key economic and ESG management principles. The program kicks off with an optional in-person field experience in Colorado and Utah, followed by asynchronous online classes offered during the fall and spring semesters. If you opt out of the field course, you will pursue an independent study focusing on one of various energy geoscience topics.

With an entirely online structure, the program allows you to balance your studies with personal and professional commitments. Moreover, as the energy sector rapidly evolves, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed to stay ahead and succeed in alternative energy fields. For working professionals, the Energy Geoscience Certificate provides essential skills and knowledge to navigate career transitions successfully. Meanwhile, newly graduated students can leverage this credential to stand out in their job searches, demonstrating their commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Our Energy Geoscience program is unique because of its combination of in-field experiences, timeliness, and flexibility through online classes. You can expand your skill set and elevate your career through specialized coursework designed to advance your professional journey at a fraction of the cost of a master’s degree. Prior to beginning classes, students can embark on an optional one-week field experience in the Western United States. 

The cohort-building field-based course offers a dynamic blend of classroom learning and hands-on experiences, providing a science-based analysis of both renewable and non-renewable energy resources. Students will explore energy types, including solar, wind, hydroelectric, fossil fuels, and nuclear energy, focusing on energy density and spatial distribution. Through group discussions, field activities, and maintaining a field notebook, students will assess how energy sources impact communities and landscapes in the western United States. The final project will involve a report on the current energy mix in the U.S., analyzing its determinants and proposing future energy strategies based on insights gained throughout the course.