Minor in Building Energy Systems (Non-Teaching)

The Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department within the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering offers a non-teaching minor called the Building Energy Systems Minor. This minor provides a suite of courses from a wide variety of disciplines, which are relevant to the built environment. Students must satisfy the degree requirements for an ME, MET, CE, CET, EE or Arch degree plus the following courses to obtain a Building Energy Systems Minor. 

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Fundamentals / Applications: Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve Building Energy Systems problems appropriate to the discipline.
  • Design: Demonstrate an ability to design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for Building Energy System problems appropriate to the discipline.
  • Communication: Demonstrate an ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in Building Energy Systems environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature.
  • Professional and Ethical Responsibilities: Demonstrate an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  • Teamwork: Demonstrate an ability to function effectively as a member as well as a leader on technical teams.
  • Experimentation: Demonstrate an ability to conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and interpret the results to improve processes.
  • Professional Preparation: Demonstrate an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

The Building Energy Systems Minor requires a minimum of 22 credits, 10 credits of required core coursework and 12 credits of elective coursework chosen from each of the 4 categories.

Required Courses10
Introduction to Building Energy Systems
Applied Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics II
Applied Heat Transfer
Fundamentals of Heat Transfer
Thermal Processes Lab
Integrated Building Design3
Choose one from the following:
Principles of HVAC II
Leadership in Architecture
Environmental Controls/HVAC3
Choose one from the following:
Environmental Controls I
Principles of HVAC I
Building Systems
Building Construction/Design3
Choose one from the following:
Building Construction I
Construction Practice
Geotechnical Engineering
Soils and Foundations
Building System Electives3
Choose one from the following:
Electric Power Applications
Energy Conversion Devices
Photovoltaic Systems
Power Systems Analysis and Design
Alternative Energy Power Gen
Industrial Processing Automation and Controls
Renewable Energy Applications
Total Credits22