Education
Working to achieve more equitable energy solutions and environmental justice for all people by inspiring engineers and scientists to consider energy justice as they lead the transition to a new energy future.
Empowering Future Leaders in Engineering and Science to Pioneer Equitable and Sustainable Energy Solutions
Our world is in the midst of an undeniable global transition from traditional fossil fuels to more sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy carriers. This shift is not only accelerating the development of groundbreaking technologies but also reshaping the educational landscape for engineering students. At the College of Engineering, we recognize the urgent implications of this transition for both our curriculum and our broader educational approach.
Historically, our curriculum has been deeply rooted in fossil fuel-driven power systems, reflecting the reality that fossil fuels account for approximately 80% of the world's energy consumption. This focus has led to a discipline-specific approach, often siloed within various engineering fields, with a primary emphasis on technical problem-solving.
However, the landscape is changing. We need to prepare our students — and reskill our alumni — to lead as sociotechnical engineers in a clean energy economy. To address this, the College of Engineering is committed to revolutionizing our educational offerings.
OUR GOALS:
- Prepare the next generation of leaders who are not only technically proficient but also adept in navigating the complex, interdisciplinary challenges of the clean energy transition.
- Provide opportunities for faculty and students to frame research problems and solutions through a social and energy justice lens as they simultaneously advance research and energy justice simply by the way they do their work.
OUR APPROACH:
- A systems engineering mindset, application of advances in handling large data sets and applying AI for development of quantitative models that predict the complex interactions that define a cyclic economy in which carbon is effectively recycled, or in some cases permanently removed from the environment.
REALIZING THE VISION:
- Create new curricula that reflect the needs of a changing world. This involves close collaboration with industry partners to understand and integrate the emerging skills necessary for success in this new energy landscape.
- Cross traditional disciplinary boundaries, linking campus expertise in a synergistic manner, and fostering an environment where innovation in research and education can flourish.
At Purdue's College of Engineering, we are not just educating engineers; we are nurturing the pioneers who will lead the world towards a sustainable energy future.
Energy Education Programs
Undergraduate Education
- CISTAR REM Program
- CISTAR REU Program
- Environmental and Ecological Engineering (EEE) Undergraduate Opportunities
Graduate Education
- CISTAR Energy Transition to a Sustainable Future Course
- CISTAR Growing Intercultural Global Energy Leaders (GIGEL) Summer Graduate Certificate Program
- Environmental and Ecological Engineering (EEE) Graduate Student Opportunities
- ASPIRE ERC Workforce Development Summary
- ASPIRE ERC Learning & Engagement Summary