MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SUSTAINABLE ENERGY MANAGEMENT

School of Science and Engineering
Admission open for Spring 2011

The Master of Science program in Sustainable Energy Management (MSSEM) focuses on renewable energies production, transformation, distribution and management.  It is designed to provide students with well-balanced education in the areas of renewable energies science, engineering and management. The core courses of this program aim at offering adequate skills and expertise required for a comprehensive understanding of most recent technological, institutional, and economical issues related to renewable energy planning and development. 

This professional master’s program will at the same time address the leadership gap problem in renewable energy related companies.  It will provide students with managerial skills that will allow them to monitor complex social-technical systems related to energy and environment.

MSSEM APPLICATION AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The MSSEM program is designed for university graduates who hold Bachelor of Science degrees or equivalent in engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science, and mathematics.
Candidates whose academic background lacks specific requirements for the graduate MSSEM program may need to take mandatory undergraduate foundation courses prior to admission in the graduate program.

In order to be admitted to the MSSEM, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

Candidates with a Bachelor of Science from Al Akhawayn University will submit an application file including the undergraduate transcript and two letters of recommendation from faculty. Candidates may be invited to an interview before acceptance. Admission will be decided based on overall GPA, GPA in science courses, and recommendations of faculty. As a general rule, applicants should have earned at least a 2.50 CGPA and a 3.00 major area GPA.

Other  candidates  will  submit  an  application  file  showing  their  Licence  (or equivalent) in  a  scientific discipline. Based on the application file, candidates may be invited to an oral interview and eventually asked to take a placement exam. As a general rule, applicants should have two mention Assez Bien (or equivalent) in their undergraduate studies.

MSSEM COURSE REQUIREMENTS

This Masters program will extend over one year and a half.  During this period, students will have to complete a total of 27 SCH.

MSSEM DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

In order to earn an MSSEM degree, a student must:

1. fulfill the major (24 SCH) course requirements for the MSSEM, in addition to any undergraduate pre-requisite courses that may be needed;
2. complete and defend the Master’s  Project (SEM 5333: 3 SCH) successfully;
3. have an overall GPA of at least 3.00;
4. earn a grade of B or better in all courses counting towards the MSSEM. 

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SEM 5311 Introduction to Physics for Energy
Students will be introduced to fundamental physics principles related to renewable energies and their production.  Some of the topics covered are: fluid dynamics, heat/energy transfer, wave propagation, semiconductors, energy transformation, energy conversion and regulation.

SEM 5313 Energy and Environment

The main objective of this course is to provide an overall view of energy and environmental issues on local and global scales.  Students will learn: how to evaluate the renewable energy sources and their impact on the environment, fundamentals of combustion principles, pollution formation and control from major combustion pollutants, the environmental impacts of water pollution, current policies related to pollution, comprehensive knowledge of environmental issues and risk assessment methods.  Typical case studies will include human and environmental issues. 

SEM 5315 Energy Management
Topics related to incentives and requirements for improving energy efficiency in the residential, commercial, transportation, and industrial sectors will be covered in addition to methods for energy audit of the industrial and civil installations.  The potential of using renewable energy technologies as a complement to and as a replacement for conventional technologies, and the possibility of combining renewable and non renewable energy technologies in hybrid systems are analyzed. An understanding of economics and social factors which influence energy technologies are introduced; in addition the students will study electric grid operation and evolution to the Smart Grid, including electric system design and operation, technical and tariff changes ahead, and integration between utilities and regional transmission organizations.

SEM 5317 Energy Economics
The aims of the course are to provide an understanding of the role of energy in the economy and key aspects of energy supply and demand. Topics include the interrelationships among energy use, economic growth, and the environment; scare oil resources and energy supply and demand; natural gas resources; solar and unconventional energy sources; regulation of gas and electric utilities; and governmental energy policies.

SEM 5321 Conventional Energy Technologies
This course will provide an in-depth knowledge of conventional energy domains.  Some of the covered topics include: primary energies (oil, gas, coal, and nuclear) technologies; overview of power system structure and operation; representation of components, including transmission lines, transformers, generating plants, loads; power flow analysis, steady state and transient stability, system protection; as well as aspect of energy storage and utilization will be covered.

SEM 5323 Energy Distribution Systems
This course covers the following topics: characteristics of modern power systems (organisation, needs, and functions), electrotechnical behaviour of the generators in the system (generation diagram, power and frequency control, and reactive and voltage control), transmission aspects (handling of power flows and voltage profiles, network calculations, security analyses and optimisation),  design of the network (structure of the grid and configurations for the substations), reliability concepts and calculation methods.

SEM 5325 Renewable Energy Technologies
This course aims to provide an introduction to engineering principles and designs underpinning key renewable energy technologies. The course discusses the scientific principles behind solar (thermal and photovoltaic), wind, geothermal, as well as energy from biomass.  The students will be able to: describe the fundamentals and main characteristics of renewable energy sources and their differences compared to fossil fuels, describe the main components of different renewable energy systems, compare different renewable energy technologies and choose the most appropriate based on local conditions, design renewable/hybrid energy systems that meet specific energy demands.  The use of fuel-cell and heat pump systems is dealt with.  Issues relevant to energy efficiency and energy storage are discussed. 

SEM 5327 Managerial Issues in Energy Companies 
This course deals with the methods and practices necessary to manage an energy project. Economics for managers and essentials in corporate finance will be covered. Students will be introduced to risk management, human capital, corporate strategies, management techniques, project evaluation and financing.  It includes an overview of energy projects and, environmental management. Students will also be introduced to energy markets and trading.

SEM 5333 Master Project

For more information or to apply, please visit

www.aui.ma/admissions

email: admissions@aui.ma

Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane
P.O. Box 104, Hassan II Avenue, 53000 Ifrane, Morocco
Tel: (212) (0) 535 86 20 00