Energy and Sustainability

Creating systems that store and convert energy in ways that are sustainable, environmentally friendly, and compatible with existing and future technologies can have a significant positive impact on the world.

In the Energy and Sustainability track, you will develop conceptions of the structure, physics, and properties of energy storage materials, understand how these properties emerge from molecular-level interactions, and how this understanding can be applied to design materials for a more sustainable world. The core courses are shared among the cohort, with specialized electives available. In the electrochemistry lab, you’ll develop the hands-on skills you’ll need to study the structure, properties, and dynamics of energy storage devices.

This track suits candidates interested in: battery engineering and recycling, sustainable materials, water preservation and reclamation, and electrochemistry.

 

Masters Overview

Pre-Autumn Quarter
  • Innovation Leadership Workshop: Communication and Negotiation with Individuals, Teams, and Organizations
Autumn Quarter
  • Innovation Leadership (MENG 30000): Introduction to Emerging Technologies
  • 2 Track Electives
Winter Quarter
  • Innovation Leadership (MENG 30500): Responsible and Effective Technology Management or an E&S Innovation Leadership Elective
  • Track Core (MENG 35310): Energy Storage and Conversion Devices
  • 1 Track Elective
Spring Quarter
  • Innovation Leadership (MENG 30400): Commercializing Products with Molecular Engineering or an E&S Innovation Leadership Elective
  • Track Core (MENG 35320): Electrochemical Principles and Methods
  • Track Core (MENG 35350): Energy Technologies Laboratory
2nd Autumn Quarter (for students on the 12-course plan)
  • 1 E&S Innovation Leadership Elective
  • 2 Track Electives
E&S Track Electives
  • Undergraduate Molecular Transport Phenomena I (MENG 21500) – Autumn
    • Available by petition for students entering without strong transport background
  • Introduction to Polymer Science (MENG 35100)
  • Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (MENG 31200)
  • Molecular Science and Engineering of Water (MENG 35300)
  • Classical Molecular and Materials Modeling (MENG 35500)
  • Functional Polymers for Electronics, Photonics, and Energy Technology (MENG 35143)
  • Materials and Characterization Tools to Address Challenges in Energy and Water (MENG 35330) (of every other year)
  • Polymer Physics (MENG 35120)
  • Photonic Materials for Energy and Sustainability (MENG 35340)
E&S Innovation Leadership Electives

NOTE: Electives offered outside of UChicago PME are scheduled at the discretion of the home department. Typically, they will be confirmed as available a few weeks before registration. 

  • Geopolitics of the Global Green Transition (INRE 30965)
  • Environmental Science and Policy (PPHA 38900)
  • Energy Policy and Human Behavior (PPHA 39925)
  • Utilities and Electricity Markets: Regulation in the United States (PPHA 36925)
  • Commercializing Innovation: Tools to Research and Analyze Private Enterprises (BOOTH 34100)
  • Lab to Launch (BOOTH 34709)
  • Building the New Venture (BUSN 34103)