Program Overview
This Associate of Applied Science degree program prepares students for mid-level technician roles in the renewable energy industry. Students learn to design, install, and maintain renewable energy systems, including solar heating, wind energy, and solar electricity. The program also covers energy auditing and building automation systems. Graduates may find employment in energy companies, manufacturers, government agencies, and research institutions.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The degree in energy management/renewable energy prepares students for work as mid-level technicians in the renewable energy industry. Students seeking this degree design, retrofit, test, balance, and troubleshoot environmental controls and renewable energy systems. The course of study includes work in the fields of solar heating, wind energy, solar electricity, and energy auditing. Students learn to evaluate energy management and renewable energy systems in both residential and commercial buildings. Students study ways to optimize existing residential and commercial building automation systems as well as new state-of-the-art systems. In addition to classroom study, students will perform energy audits and systems analysis on buildings located in the Elgin area. Faculty members include veteran teachers and industry professionals.
Outline:
Associate of Applied Science Degree - Renewable Energy Option
First Semester
- HAC 101: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration I
- HAC 114: Basic Electricity and HVACR Controls
- ECS 112: Survey of Renewable Energy Systems
- IST 105: Electrical Control Circuits
- IMT 107 or MTH 112: Technical Math I or College Algebra
Second Semester
- HAC 103: Basic Heating Gas/Oil
- HAC 102: Air Conditioning & Refrigeration II
- ECS 202: Commercial Load Calculations
- IST 140: Programmable Controllers I
- Required Communications Course
Third Semester
- HAC 110: Heat Pumps & Electrical Heat
- IST 142: Programmable Controllers II
- ECS 116: Introduction to Wind Energy
- ECS 111: Introduction to Photovoltaic Systems
- ECS 117: Intro to Sustainable Heating Systems
- Required Communications Course
Fourth Semester
- IST 235: AC Drives
- ECS 113: Energy Auditing
- ECS 118: Photovoltaic System Application
- ECS 119: Wind Turbine Service
- Required Humanities/Fine Arts Course
- Required Social/Behavioral Sciences Course
Associate of Applied Science Degree - Energy Management Option
Summer Semester
- CIS 110: Computer Concepts & Business Appls
First Semester
- HAC 103: Basic Heating Gas/Oil
- HAC 101: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration I
- HAC 104: HVACR Controls
- IST 105: Electrical Control Circuits
- HAC 119: Refrigerant Recovery Certification
- IST 140: Programmable Controllers I
- Select one of the following:
- IMT 107: Technical Math I
- MTH 107: Technical Math I
- MTH 112: College Algebra
Second Semester
- HAC 102: Air Conditioning & Refrigeration II
- HAC 205: Commercial Air Conditioning
- ECS 202: Commercial Load Calculations
- IST 142: Programmable Controllers II
- Required Communications Course
Third Semester
- IST 245: Advanced Programmable Controllers
- ECS 206: Commercial Duct Design
- ECS 108: Commercial Electronic Control System
- ECS 110: Codes and Standards
- ECS 114: IAQ for Commercial Buildings
- Required Communications Course
Fourth Semester
- IST 235: AC Drives
- ECS 215: Commercial Applications Systems
- Recommended Electives
- Required Humanities/Fine Arts Course
Teaching:
Faculty members include veteran teachers and industry professionals.
Careers:
Students may find employment as mid-level technicians in the renewable energy industry. Students may also find work in the fields of solar heating, wind energy, solar electricity, and energy auditing. Potential employers may include energy companies, manufacturers, government agencies, and research institutions.
