student working in energy engineering class

Energy Engineering Ph.D.

Lead the way in tackling today's pressing energy problems with a high-quality graduate engineering education at UND

The world’s energy problems are significant, and require the most advanced research and the top minds to solve them. As the world leader in energy-related research and education, you’ll benefit from one of the strongest doctoral programs in energy engineering.

Program type:
Doctoral Degree
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
3-6 years
Credit hours:
90

Why earn a Ph.D. in energy engineering?

Graduate Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 1
Spring:
Dec. 1
Summer:
May 1

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Today's energy-strapped world needs leaders with the highest level of knowledge and research expertise. This UND graduate program focuses on energy engineering fundamentals, along with independent research and career preparation. You will have the flexibility to customize you doctoral program according to your greatest interests.

UND is a world leader in energy-related research and education. You'll benefit from a strong doctoral program that will help you:

  • Master fundamental topics in energy engineering and be able to apply them to research problems with practical significance.
  • Be proficient at research, with the skills you need to formulate, assess and document a hypothesis.
  • Be proficient at designing, conducting and managing an independent energy or energy-related research project.
  • Broaden your opportunities in a variety of energy-related industries, or choose a career path in academia.

Energy Engineering Ph.D. Research

You'll have the opportunity to perform research ranging from fundamental to applied – including technology development, demonstration, and commercialization efforts.

Research interest fall into the following broad categories:

  • Stationary power generation including increasing energy efficiency from existing and new systems, renewable energy systems, clean coal technologies, carbon sequestration, and hydrogen production.
  • Production of liquid and gaseous fuels (ethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen, methane for example) and specialty chemicals from biomass, fossil fuels and other resources, including infrastructure development.
  • Transmission and distribution systems, including approaches to integrate distributed generation produced from renewable resources.
  • Environmental cleanup and protection of air, water, and soil, focusing on energy and industrial generated sources.
  • Integration of social, political, regulatory, and legal into the development and implementation of new technologies.

Ph.D. in Energy Engineering at UND

  • Gain extensive expertise in a specialization (track), as well as proficiency in executing on energy-related research.

  • Develop the expertise and research proficiency to invent and develop new energy technologies and future advances.

  • Work with faculty from related disciplines to create the interdisciplinary and integrative research paradigms needed for comprehensive research.

  • Choose research projects of interest to your company, allowing you work on your doctoral degree without leaving your current job.

  • Participate in research conducted with the Institute for Energy Studies or in collaboration with the world-renowned Energy & Environmental Research Center.

  • Study at a Carnegie Doctoral Research Institution ranked #151 by the NSF. Students are an integral part of UND research.

Energy Engineering Ph.D. Careers

A doctoral degree in energy engineering offers you the widest range of opportunities, from top positions at global energy leaders, to government agencies, to opportunities in higher learning. Many may choose to enter the field of academia as a professor or senior researcher.

UND bearers of doctoral degrees in energy engineering have gone onto careers in top regional and global energy firms. Some of the biggest companies hiring energy engineers today include:

  • CLEAResult
  • Trane
  • Siemens
  • Schneider Electric
  • Noresco

Energy Engineering Ph.D. Courses

ENE 501. Managing Energy Resources and Policy. 3 Credits.

In the face constantly increasing uncertainty within energy(oil and gas) sector, reduced oil prices and increasing demand for energy, it should come as no surprise that Sustainable use of energy resources is the only way out. Sustainable use of energy resources is at the forefront of strategic plans for businesses, public sector/government organizations and individuals as well. All the modules of this course will extensively explore all the tools available for energy systems modeling that can influence efficient energy policies for the policy makers. Prerequisite: College of Engineering and Mines Graduate students or consent of instructor. S.

ENE 510. Energy Systems Engineering I. 3 Credits.

Provides the framework to perform high level designs of various energy systems and develop a comparative analysis of various energy conversion systems including cost, social acceptability, and environmental consequences. This course is one of a two part series with ENE 511 that can be taken in either order. Prerequisite: College of Engineering and Mines graduate student or instructor consent. S.

ENE 512. Energy Systems Optimization. 3 Credits.

This course will introduce deterministic, numerical optimization and troubleshooting methods used for finding feasible and optimal solutions to energy systems challenges. Prerequisite: ENE 510 or ENE 511, or instructor consent. On demand.

ENE 530. Applied Engineering Business Analysis. 3 Credits.

This course is an interdisciplinary Engineering Business Analysis course utilizing case studies to illustrate Global standards for Engineering Business Analysis. This will allow students to practice using real-world examples to help understand what drives change, how to define business needs and the effective ways to design solutions that will bring about the desired changes. Students will have the background and training required for certification through the International Institute for Business Analysis. Prerequisite: College of Engineering and Mines graduate student or instructor consent. F.

ENE 522. Energy Storage Systems l. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to focus mainly on Energy Storage systems with focus on Lithium Ion Batteries technologies.(LiFePO4/G and NMC/G) technology Cells. The course will look at why they are so valuable in the energy storage and E-mobility technology. Prerequisite: ENE 510 or ENE 511, or instructor consent.

ENE 533. Project Dynamics & Strategy Modeling. 3 Credits.

The course is designed to help understand the dynamic behavior of engineering projects. The focus here is to help project managers and sponsors adapt to the realities of the complexity, uncertainty and the significant risks that can arise from unclear scope, compressed schedules and changing political situations using the application of system dynamics. Prerequisite: ENGR 554 and ENGR 556, or instructor consent. S.

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Best Online Energy Engineering Ph.D.

Several college ranking sites put UND’s Energy Engineering Ph.D. program in the top best online programs in nation. We’re well regarded for our educational quality, affordability and career outcomes.

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Online Energy Engineering Ph.D.

#2

best online graduate programs

EDsmart

#1

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

UND’s online engineering courses mirror those offered on campus. As an online doctoral student, you’ll follow the same curriculum, watch the same lectures and have the same deadlines for completing lessons and exams as a student on campus. Depending on the professor you may:

  • Access course materials, assignments and recorded lectures.
  • Communicate with engineering faculty and classmates.

All engineering online courses follow the UND semester-based schedule noted in the academic calendar. Some online courses may have optional opportunities for live Zoom class lectures instead of watching pre-recorded lecture videos which all online courses have available.

Flexible Online Ph.D. in Energy Engineering Courses

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Campus Visits

For doctoral students completing the program by online delivery, a minimum of three campus visits are required and you'll need to make a presentation during each visit. One of these presentations can be the oral presentation for the qualifying exam. Additionally, a Ph.D. candidate should be present for the Ph.D. dissertation defense.

Top-Tier Online Energy Engineering Ph.D.

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)
Explore More Options

Connect with energy engineering faculty you'll work with at UND or discover additional graduate degree opportunities.

Department Contact 
Tomomewo Stanley Olusegun
Graduate Director
P 701.777.4269
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