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November 29, 2004 |
"The degree is built on a solid foundation in physics, chemistry,
mathematics, and communications. Added to this foundation are courses in
mechanical and electrical engineering principles."
- John Yarbrough, Program Director at OIT
Klamath Falls, Oregon [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] With renewable energy technologies sporting the fastest growth rates of any energy industry, it only makes sense that higher education would seize this opportunity and begin offering degrees catered specifically to the renewable energy field.
A new Bachelor of Science degree in Renewable Energy Systems (RES) will be
offered by Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT), in the Portland, Oregon area.
The program, which was recently approved by the Oregon State Board of Higher
Education, is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. It is intended
to address the issue of "sustainability" in a substantive way,
according to the organizers.
"The degree is built on a solid foundation in physics, chemistry,
mathematics, and communications," John Yarbrough, program director, said.
"Added to this foundation are courses in mechanical and electrical
engineering principles."
Yarbrough, who has been affiliated with OIT since 1972 as an Electronics
Engineering Technology professor and OREC research faculty member, said that
"the mechanical and electrical course work leads to courses in energy
systems, heat pump systems, photovoltaics, energy management and auditing, wind
and bio-mass, renewable energy transportation systems, zero net energy
buildings, and fuel-cells."
The degree is designed to meet present and future needs for renewable energy
professionals.
"Program graduates will be prepared to successfully integrate skills in the
social, environmental, economic, technical and scientific aspects of sustainable
energy generation," Yarbrough said.
The program is part of OIT's Oregon Renewable Energy Center. It will be
delivered in Portland, beginning Winter Term 2005, and in collaboration with
Clackamas Community College (CCC). Plans call for the program to be offered on
the main campus in Klamath Falls.
Clackamas already has a long relationship with OIT in sharing an educational
facility, OIT's Portland Metro Center, on SE Harmony Road. General education
courses will be provided by CCC, while the Renewable Energy Systems courses will
be delivered by OIT at a variety of locations, including the OIT Metro Center,
the CCC main campus and the Wilsonville Training Center.
"This program has tremendous potential to provide professionals for a whole
new industry in Oregon," OIT President Martha Anne Dow said. "Oregon
has been a leader in renewable energy technology development. The need now is
adapting the technology to devices that are useful to business, industry and
individuals. This program is geared to provide the professionals who will do
just that."
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