Certificate in Energy Economics and Policy

Curriculum

A total of 15 credits of coursework – which can also be applied to a degree program at URI – are necessary to obtain the Certificate in Energy Economics and Policy. There are three required courses, including an internship class or other professional energy experience. In addition, you must select two courses from a list of supporting electives.

Required Courses

  • EEC 350 Sustainable Energy Economics and Policy
    Energy production, consumption, and environmental impacts. Energy markets, policy, and the transition from a fossil fuel-based energy economy to an economy based on sustainable energy and renewable energy sources.
  • EEC 352 Economics of Small Scale Energy Systems
    This course provides tools to evaluate opportunities and challenges in the transformation from fossil fuels to renewable energy at the scale of individual buildings and other small scale energy systems.
  • EEC 497 Internship in Environmental Economics (or equivalent professional experience)
    Supervised work experience in environmental and natural resource economics or related areas with a governmental agency, nongovernmental organization, or in the private sector.

Supporting Courses

Select two of the following:

  • EEC 345 Sustainable Development, Trade, and the Environment
    To understand the relationship between economic development, international trade, and the environment. Topics include sustainable development, trade policies and the environment, climate change and development, and institutions for managing the commons.
  • EEC 355 Economics of Climate Change
    Assessment of the economic and policy issues associated with climate change, including the causes of climate change, the economic and social effects, and alternative policy options to reduce carbon emissions.
  • EEC 440 Benefit Cost Analysis
    Basic concepts in benefit-cost analysis. Measurement, comparison of benefits and costs over time, and criteria for evaluation of projects and public policies. Problems and case studies in evaluation of current natural resources issues.
  • EGR 213 Energy and the Environment
    Technical, social, and environmental aspects of energy, including energy and society, energy policy, global challenges of energy, energy systems (fossil fuels, renewables, storage), and environmental pollution of energy systems.
  • CPL 434 Introduction to Environmental Law
    Surveys issues arising out of laws designed to protect the environment and manage resources: right to a decent environment, government regulation versus private property rights, citizen participation in planning environmental controls.
  • CPL 485 Environmental Planning
    Theories, methodologies, and substantive concerns of environmental resource analysis with attention given to coastal environmental issues. Focus on land, soils, watersheds, water quality, vegetation, air quality, wildlife, and noise pollution.
  • MAF 445 Environmental Thought and Behavior
    Introduction to environmental behavior, including factors such as values, knowledge, risk perceptions, and social pressure. Attention is given to the role of attitudes and values in coastal and marine management.
  • SUS 315 Environmental Dimensions of Communication
    Investigation of individual and mediated environmental messages, analysis, and experimentation with the ways communication can affect environmental knowledge, attitudes and behavior, design of communication campaigns to affect resource use, and ecological responsibility.
  • LAR 472 Design of Home-Scale Renewable Energy Systems
    Pending final approval