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Power Systems and Sustainable Energy Program

Renewable Energy Certificate

Advisor: Dr. Maryam Khanbaghi

Renewable energy is the fastest-growing sector in California and brings together principles and practices from engineering, environmental science, and economics. Silicon Valley, the home of the world’s largest cluster of renewable energy companies and green investors, offers fertile ground to recruit career changers who wish to move into renewable energy and students who want to take advantage of the tremendous career opportunities.

The main goal of this certificate is to introduce students to the field of renewable energy. The intent is to help equip professionals in Silicon Valley with the knowledge that will help them advance in their present career or enter the renewable energy field. To enroll in this certificate an applicant should have a B.S. in Engineering from an accredited school and should maintain a grade point average of 3.0. As with most certificates in the Graduate School of Engineering, the requirement is 16 quarter units. Eight of these units are in Power Systems, eight units are in Renewable Energy.

Required Courses (16 units total)
Power Systems

  • ELEN 280/MECH 287 Introduction to Alternative Energy Systems (2 units)
  • ELEN 281A Power Systems: Generation and Transmission (2 units)
  • ELEN 281 B Introduction to the Smart Grid (2 units)
  • ELEN 285 Introduction to the Smart Grid (2 units)

Renewable Energy

  • ELEN 282 Photovoltaic Devices and Systems (2 units) or ELEN 284 Solar Cell Technologies and Simulation Tools (2 units)
  • ELEN 286/MECH 286 Introduction to Wind Energy Engineering (2 units)
  • ELEN 287 Storage Device Systems (2 units)
  • ENGR 272 Energy Public Policy (2 units)

Contact Us

Program Director: Maryam Khanbaghi

Power Systems and Sustainable Energy Program
Santa Clara University
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053

Sobrato Discovery, Bldg. 402

408-554-5313

Apply Now