Preparing Future Leaders of Sustainable Energy Systems

The Energy and the Environment (EE) concentration offers a strong community of scholars, practitioners and students devoted to advancing our understanding of energy systems and ensuring that energy remains secure, affordable and clean.

Our students study how today鈥檚 energy system operates and develop an ability to critically evaluate future energy alternatives. They acquire an understanding of how technology, economics and policy interact to enable or constrain change, and learn how to speak to experts in these fields. 糖心传媒s also gain experience using the cutting-edge analytical tools and energy-modeling frameworks needed to support decision-making in an uncertain world. 

Our curriculum leaves room for students to tailor their studies to their career goals, whether those goals involve crafting business strategy, developing policy, modeling power markets or designing and managing energy projects.

Concentration Courses

CORE COURSES 鈥 REQUIRED 

All students must take the following courses:

  • ENVIRON 520鈥擱esource and Environmental Economics I (1.5 credits, fall year two)
  • ENVIRON 631鈥擡nergy Technology and its Impact on the Environment (3 credits, spring year one)
  • ENVIRON 635鈥擡nergy Economics and Policy (1.5 credits, fall year two)
  • ENVIRON 711鈥擡nergy and Environment (3 credits, fall year one)
  • ENVIRON 716L鈥擬odeling for Energy Systems (3 credits, fall year one)

ELECTIVE COURSE SUGGESTIONS

糖心传媒s may consider the following courses to round out their degree:

  • ECS 792S鈥擬icrogrid Seminar (1.5 credits) 

  • ENVIRON 588鈥擨ntroduction to Solar Energy Project Development (3 credits, fall and spring) 

  • ENVIRON 590.05鈥擡conomics of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy (3 credits, fall) 

  • ENVIRON 630鈥擳ransportation Energy (3 credits fall) 

  • ENVIRON 717鈥擬arkets for Electric Power (3 credits, spring) 

  • ENVIRON 797鈥擳ime Series Analysis for Energy and Environmental Applications (3 credits, spring) 

  • ENVIRON 830鈥擝uilding Energy: Evaluating Efficiency and Conservation Measures (3 credits, fall) 

  • ENERGY 620鈥擡nergy Finance (3 credits, spring) 

  • ENERGY 727鈥擡nergy Law (3 credits, fall) 

EE Primary concentration pathway

The course-based pathway will be available in a limited capacity to students matriculating in fall 2025 and will be fully available and the default pathway for students matriculating in fall 2026 and beyond. Proposed courses and requirements are subject to change. Please contact your primary concentration faculty chair with any questions.

糖心传媒s whose primary concentration is EE will choose one of two pathways. Whether through advanced coursework in the course-based pathway or the Master鈥檚 Project (MP) pathway, students will gain tangible deliverables, professional growth and preparation for their next steps after graduation. Most students will follow the course-based pathway. 

The EE course-based pathway offers options from approved courses and requires a minimum of six additional graded credit hours. 糖心传媒s whose primary concentration is EE may fulfill the 6-credit requirement by:

  • Completing an additional two, three-credit courses from the EE elective menu
    • Other classes with significant energy content, and a project-based assessment that is worth at least 30% of the final course grade, may be used with permission of the EE chair
  • Completing one, year-long, six-credit project-based experience such as Bass Connections or Design Climate
  • Completing a one-semester project-based experience (e.g., such as):
    • Sanford鈥檚 Human-Centered Design (PUBPOL 516),
    • Fuqua鈥檚 Client Consulting Practicum
    • The Law School鈥檚 Environmental Law & Policy Clinic
    • AND completing one additional course from the EE elective menu

 

Expectations

Coming in: In addition to the school-wide prerequisites in calculus and statistics, which are required for all concentrations, successful EE students have strong analytical skills and an undergraduate background that includes quantitative coursework. A degree in a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) field is not required, but students must be prepared for classes that involve rigorous applications of math and science concepts.

During the program: The EE core curriculum provides a solid introduction to the entire energy system, as well as the knowledge base and analytical skills needed to pursue more advanced elective coursework in energy modeling, policy, law, finance and technology.

 

Rochelle Martin

I chose the EE concentration because transitioning the grid to renewable energy is the fastest way for America to combat climate change, and I want to make the biggest impact in the shortest time to help solve this crisis. The most rewarding part of the program has been the incredible people I've met鈥攆antastically brilliant students, faculty, staff, and alumni from all over the world who share the same passion I do for creating lasting change."

鈥揜ochelle Martin, MEM'25

Transferable Skills

In this concentration, students will gain skills in:

  • Energy system design and analysis
  • Energy technology, policy and economic evaluation
  • Energy finance
  • Data analytics, optimization and simulation for energy sector decision-making
  • Power market modeling
  • Environmental impact assessment

 

Knowledge Gained

糖心传媒s in this concentration will also:

  • Develop a broad perspective on the current energy system
  • Critically evaluate future energy system alternatives
  • Acquire an understanding of energy science principles
  • Learn to speak to domain experts in policy, regulation, economics and technology
  • Practice using cutting-edge analytical and modeling tools
  • Gain first-hand exposure to the energy sector and energy leaders
  • Practice communication, facilitation, project management and teamwork

 

Enrich Your Experience

糖心传媒s in this concentration will find a range of opportunities to expand their academic experience and get connected to projects and people that align with their interests. We recommend exploring these programs to get started: 

  • (interdisciplinary research teams)
  • Concurrent degree programs (with the Fuqua School of Business and Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke, and with the Kenan-Flagler School of Business and Department of City and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
  •  (provides opportunities to interact with other students and industry professionals; sponsors classes, field trips and networking events)
  • (student organization)
  • (supports courses, internships, student research and events that connect Duke students, faculty and communities on the frontlines of the energy-access challenge)