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Education  ::  College Education Program

Undergraduate Renewable Electric Energy Systems Concentration

The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department offers an new undergraduate concentration in Renewable Electric Energy Systems (REES) within the Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering degree program.

The REES concentration addresses the need to develop new technologies that can harvest the geographically distributed renewable energy such as solar and wind efficiently; and create "smart" electric power systems capable of integrating geographically distributed renewable energy based generators.

The concentration is part of the ECE Department and the Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management Systems Center's (FREEDM) effort to create a new generation of engineers who possess strong analytical skills and employ a broader range of interdisciplinary knowledge in a team-based environment.

Students enrolled in the REES undergraduate concentration receive training in the following areas: Renewable Electric Energy Systems, Power System Analysis, Power Electronics, and Design of Electromechanical Systems.

Undergraduate Renewable Electric Energy Systems Concentration Curriculum

Renewable Electric Energy Systems Certificate Program

The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department offers a graduate level academic certificate program in REES. The REES Graduate Certificate Program helps students develop an expertise in renewable electric energy systems and advanced power grid technology.

To earn the REES Graduate Certificate, a minimum of 12 hours of coursework must be completed. All students are required to take the Renewable Electric Energy Systems course that focuses on the principals of renewable based generation technologies such as solar, wind and fuel cells and their integration into the power grid. Students have the flexibility to choose three other courses from a list which includes courses on power system operation and control, power electronics, power plants, solar systems, electric vehicle systems.

The ECE Department and the FREEDM Systems Center provide engineers with a comprehensive curriculum which encompasses all aspects of REES, such as systems theory, semiconductor power devices, secured communications, distributed grid intelligence, power electronics for high frequency and high voltage power conversion, and distributed energy storage devices.

Admission Requirements

Applicants with appropriate background must meet ONE of the three following requirements:

  • Be a graduate of an accredited four-year college or university, and have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale in their last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study
  • Be a degree student in good standing in an NC State University graduate program
  • Have a Master's degree

A student may obtain more than one graduate certificate in a different field. Each certificate must have at least nine (9) credit hours that are unique to it.

Program of Study

The Graduate Certificate in Renewable Electric Energy Systems requires a minimum of 12 hours, and includes the following courses:

  • Core Course (3 hours)
    • ECE592C: Renewable Electric Energy Systems
  • Advanced Courses (Choose any three from the following)
    • ECE 550 - Power System Operation and Control
    • ECE534 - Power Electronics
    • MAE 503 - Advanced Power Plants
    • ECE592F - Power System Protection
    • ECE792E - Three-Phase Converters
    • MAE 421 - Solar Thermal
    • ECE736 - Power System Stability
    • ECE792B - Electric Vehicle Systems
    • MAE(ECE) 535 - Electromechanical Systems Design

Academic Performance

Award of a Graduate Certificate in Renewable Electric Energy Systems (REES) requires a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. None of the required 12 hours may be taken for S/U or "credit only". No transfer credits from other institutions are allowed for the certificate. All students must be registered through NC State University. All REES requirements must be completed within the first four (4) calendar years beginning with the date the students begin the course work for the certificate. All Certificate students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment every semester (excluding summer sessions) until all course work is completed. Under unusual circumstances, a one-semester leave of absence will be granted if the student is unable to enroll in a course. Written approval from the certificate coordinator must be obtained before the beginning of the semester.

Applying for the Graduate Certificate in Renewable Electric Energy Systems

All students must submit a Program Application, a resume identifying educational preparation and work experiences, and official transcripts* of all undergraduate and graduate course work with a timeline for certificate completion. After the application is reviewed, students will be notified of their application status by the Certificate Coordinator.

Each semester, students may contact the Certificate Coordinator to determine registration procedures, course availability, and registration dates. At the end of each semester, students should submit documentation of Course Completion form to the Certificate Coordinator in order to maintain approved status in the Certificate Program.

* Please note that current NCSU degree-seeking students are not required to submit official transcripts.

The application form can be found here.

Non-Degree Seeking Students (formerly Lifelong Education students)

Those who wish to undertake academic work beyond the Bachelor's degree, but are not currently admitted to a graduate degree program, may enroll under the Post-Baccalaureate Studies (PBS) classification in order to participate in the Certificate Program. This classification is open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students who are sponsored by an agency of the U.S. government or who are married to an NCSU student.

The PBS classification carries with it no implication that the student will be admitted to the Graduate School in any degree classification or that courses taken will be accepted for degree credit.

The Non-Degree Studies Application can be found here.

For additional information please refer to the University Policies, Regulations & Rules Handbook in the Rules for Participation in Post-Baccalaureate Studies section.

Certificate Coordinator:

Dr. Mesut Baran
Electrical & Computer Engineering Professor
Partners I 1250, Box 7571
NCSU Campus
Raleigh, NC 27695
(919) 515-5081
baran@ncsu.edu

Amy H. Bailey
Education Program Administrative Support
Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery & Management Systems Center (FREEDM)
P.O. Box 7237
Raleigh, NC 27695
(919) 513-3435
ahbailey@ncsu.edu

The 2010 FREEDM Annual Conference and NSF Site Visit will be held May 18-20 at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida!