Energy Engineering

University of California, Berkeley

This is an archived copy of the 2014-15 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu/.

About the Program

Bachelor of Science (BS)

The Energy Engineering major offered through the Engineering Science Program interweaves the fundamental of classical and modern physics, chemistry, and mathematics with the energy engineering applications. A great strength of the major is its flexibility. The firm base in physics and mathematics is augmented with a selection of engineering course options that prepare the student to tackle the complex energy-related problems faced by society. Because the program emphasizes science and mathematics, students are well-prepared to pursue graduate studies in physics or engineering. Energy Engineering is a multidisciplinary field requiring an integration of physical principles with engineering analysis, augmented with the realities of policy and engineering economics. The program incorporates courses from many departments on campus to create a discipline that is rigorously based in science, mathematics, and engineering, while addressing a wide variety of environmental issues.

Admission to the Major

Prospective undergraduates to the College of Engineering will apply for admission to a specific program in the College. For further information, please see the College of Engineering's website .

Admission to Engineering via a Change of College application for current UC Berkeley students is highly unlikely and very competitive as there few, if any, spaces that open in the College each year to students admitted to other colleges at UC Berkeley. For further information regarding a Change of College to Engineering, please see the College's website .

Minor Program

The Energy Engineering minor has arisen as a natural outgrowth of the large amount of energy-related research in the College of Engineering. For a number of years, courses have been developed across the College of Engineering, and the Energy Engineering minor is designed to coordinate these courses for students who have an interest in systems that are associated with all aspects of energy systems, such as generation, transmission and consumption. The Energy Minor, offered through the College of Engineering, is an optional program that encourages coherence in the work students undertake around energy engineering.

For admission to the minor, students must have a minimum over-all Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00, and has completed all of the prerequisite courses. For information regarding the prerequisites, please see the Minor Requirements tab on this page.

After completion of the prerequisite courses, students will need to complete and submit a Petition for Admission form  to the Undergraduate Staff Adviser. Students must apply at least one semester prior to graduation (i.e., Students cannot be on the official degree list at the time of application). Students will also need to submit a copy of their transcript and a course plan at the time of application.

Upon completion of the minor requirements, submit a Petition for Completion of the Undergraduate Minor to the Undergraduate Staff Adviser. This must be completed no later than two weeks prior to the end of the semester.

Other Majors offered by the Engineering Science Program

Engineering Mathematics and Statistics
Engineering Physics
Environmental Engineering Science

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Major Requirements

In addition to the University, campus, and college requirements, listed on the College Requirements tab, students must fulfill the below requirements specific to their major program.

General Guidelines

  1. All technical courses (courses in engineering, mathematics, chemistry, physics, statistics, biological sciences, and computer science) must be taken for a letter grade.

  2. No more than one upper-division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student’s major and minor programs.

  3. A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for all work undertaken at UC Berkeley.

  4. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for all technical courses taken in satisfaction of major requirements.

For information regarding residence requirements and unit requirements, please see the College Requirements tab.

For a detailed plan of study by year and semester, please see the Plan of Study tab.

Lower-division Requirements

Select one of the following:
CHEM 1A
  & 1AL
General Chemistry
   and General Chemistry Laboratory
General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis 1
ENGIN 7Introduction to Computer Programming for Scientists and Engineers4
or COMPSCI 61A The Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
ENGIN 93Energy Engineering Seminar1
MATH 1ACalculus4
MATH 1BCalculus4
MATH 53Multivariable Calculus4
MATH 54Linear Algebra and Differential Equations4
MEC ENG 40Thermodynamics3
or ENGIN 115 Engineering Thermodynamics
MEC ENG C85Introduction to Solid Mechanics3
PHYSICS 7APhysics for Scientists and Engineers4
PHYSICS 7BPhysics for Scientists and Engineers4
Select two Engineering Prep courses, in consultation with faculty adviser:
One must be selected from the following:
Introduction to Microelectronic Circuits
Properties of Materials
One may be the other not chosen above, or one of the following:
Engineered Systems and Sustainability
Engineering Geology
General Chemistry
Chemical Structure and Reactivity
Structure and Interpretation of Systems and Signals
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
1

 CHEM 4A is intended for students majoring in Chemistry or a closely-related field.

Upper-division Requirements

Because of the interdisciplinary nature of this major, electives may be approved throughout the year.

In addition to the requirements listed below, students may need to choose up to three Free Electives, in order to meet the 120 units required for graduation. Free electives can be any technical or non-technical course of the student's interest, offered by any department at UC Berkeley, with no restrictions.

CIV ENG 100Elementary Fluid Mechanics4
or MEC ENG 106 Fluid Mechanics
CIV ENG 107Climate Change Mitigation3
or GEOG 142 Climate Dynamics
CIV ENG 108Course Not Available3
or CIV ENG 111 Environmental Engineering
EL ENG 134Fundamentals of Photovoltaic Devices4
EL ENG 137AIntroduction to Electric Power Systems4
ENE,RES C100Energy and Society 14
MAT SCI 136Materials in Energy Technologies4
MEC ENG 109Heat Transfer3
NUC ENG 161Nuclear Power Engineering4
ENGIN 194Undergraduate Research3
Economics: Select one course from the following:
Infrastructure Planning and Management
Ecological Economics in Historical Context
Principles of Engineering Economics
Regulation of Energy and the Environment 2
Economic Development 2
Population, Environment, and Development 2
Economics of Poverty and Technology 2
Climate and Energy Policy 2
Contemporary Theories of Political Economy 2
An ECON course chosen in consultation with the faculty adviser
Math/Statistical Analysis: Select one course from the following:
Engineering Data Analysis
Discrete Mathematics and Probability Theory
Methods of Engineering Analysis
Probability and Risk Analysis for Engineers
Discrete Mathematics
Concepts of Probability
Sustainability: Select one course from the following:
Environmental Engineering
Ecological Engineering for Water Quality Improvement
Water Chemistry
Planning for Sustainability 3
Ecology and Society
Technical Elective: Select one Technical Elective in consultation with faculty adviser
1

 ENE,RES C100 satisfies both a major requirement and one of the upper-division Humanities/Social Sciences requirements.

2

 This course satisfies both the Economics requirement and one of the upper-division Humanities/Social Sciences requirements.

3

 This course satisfies both the Sustainability requirement and one of the upper-division Humanities/Social Sciences requirements.

Minor Requirements

Minor programs are areas of concentration requiring fewer courses than an undergraduate major. These programs are optional, but can provide depth and breadth to a UC Berkeley education. The College of Engineering does not offer additional time to complete a minor, but it is usually possible to finish within the allotted time with careful course planning. Students are encouraged to meet with their ESS Adviser to discuss the feasibility of completing a minor program.

All the engineering departments offer minors. Students may also consider pursuing a minor in another School or College.

General Guidelines

  1. All courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements must be taken for graded credit.

  2. A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the prerequisite courses is required for acceptance into the minor program.

  3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for courses used to fulfill the minor requirements.

  4. No more than one upper-division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student’s major and minor programs.

  5. Completion of the minor program cannot delay a student’s graduation.

Lower-division Prerequisites

MATH 1ACalculus4
MATH 1BCalculus4
MATH 53Multivariable Calculus4
MATH 54Linear Algebra and Differential Equations4
Select one of the following:
CHEM 1A
  & 1AL
General Chemistry
   and General Chemistry Laboratory
General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis
PHYSICS 7APhysics for Scientists and Engineers4
PHYSICS 7BPhysics for Scientists and Engineers4
ENGIN 7Introduction to Computer Programming for Scientists and Engineers4

Upper-division Minor Requirements

MEC ENG 40Thermodynamics (or approved equivalent)3
or ENGIN 115 Engineering Thermodynamics
EL ENG 137AIntroduction to Electric Power Systems4
Select one of the following:4
Energy and Society
CIV ENG 106
Course Not Available
Climate Change Mitigation
Environmental Engineering
Select two of the following:8
Energy and Environment
Planning for Sustainability
CIV ENG 106
Course Not Available
Climate Change Mitigation
CIV ENG 108
Course Not Available
Environmental Engineering
Ecological Engineering for Water Quality Improvement
Water Chemistry
Infrastructure Planning and Management
Fundamentals of Photovoltaic Devices
Introduction to Electric Power Systems
Energy and Society
Ecology and Society
Ecological Economics in Historical Context
Principles of Engineering Economics
Undergraduate Research
Regulation of Energy and the Environment
Economic Development
Population, Environment, and Development
Economics of Poverty and Technology
Climate and Energy Policy
Climate Dynamics
Probability and Risk Analysis for Engineers
Concepts of Probability
Materials in Energy Technologies
Fluid Mechanics
Heat Transfer
Nuclear Power Engineering
Contemporary Theories of Political Economy

College Requirements

Students in the College of Engineering must complete 120 semester units with the following provisions: 

1.        Completion of the requirements of one Engineering major program  of study. 

2.        A minimum overall grade point average of 2.000 (C average) and a minimum 2.000 grade point average in upper division technical course work required of the major. 

3.        The final 30 units must be completed in residence in the College of Engineering on the Berkeley campus in two consecutive semesters. 

4.        All technical courses (math, science & engineering), required of the major or not, must be taken on a letter graded basis (unless they are only offered P/NP). 

5.        Entering freshman are allowed a maximum of eight semesters to complete their degree requirements.  Entering junior transfers are allowed a maximum of four semesters to complete their degree requirements. Summer terms are optional and do not count toward the maximum. Students are responsible for planning and satisfactorily completing all graduation requirements within the maximum allowable semesters. 

Humanities and Social Science Requirement
To promote a rich and varied educational experience outside of the technical requirements for each major, the College of Engineering has a Humanities and Social Sciences breadth requirement, which must be completed to graduate. This requirement is built into all the Engineering programs of study. The requirement includes two approved reading and composition courses and four additional approved courses, within which a number of specific conditions must be satisfied. 

1.        Complete a minimum of six courses (3 units or more) from the approved Humanities/Social Sciences (H/SS) lists

2.        Two of the six courses must fulfill the  Reading and Composition Requirement. These courses must be taken for a letter grade (C- or better required), and MUST be completed by no later than the end of the sophomore year (4th semester of enrollment). The first half of R&C, the “A” course, must be completed by the end of the freshman year; the second half of R&C, the “B “course, by no later than the end of the sophomore year. For detailed lists of courses that fulfill Reading and Composition requirements, please see the Reading and Composition page in this bulletin. 

3.        The four additional courses must be chosen from the H/SS comprehensive list. These courses may be taken on a Pass/Not Passed Basis (P/NP).

4.        At least two of the six courses must be upper division (courses numbered 100-196).

5.        At least two courses must be from the same department and at least one of the two must be upper division. This is called the *Series requirement. AP tests can be combined with a course to complete the series requirement. For example, AP History (any) combined with an upper division History course would satisfy the series requirement

6.        One of the six courses must satisfy the campus American Cultures Requirement. For detailed lists of courses that fulfill American Cultures requirements, please see the American Cultures page in this bulletin. 

7.        A maximum of two exams (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or A-Level) may be used toward completion of the H/SS requirement. Visit this link

8.        No courses offered by an Engineering department (IEOR, CE, etc.) other than BIOE 100, CS C79, ENGIN 125, ENGIN 130AC, 157AC, ME 191K and ME 191AC may be used to complete H/SS requirements.

9.        Courses may fulfill multiple categories. For example, if you complete City and Regional Planning 115 and 118AC that would satisfy the series requirement, the two upper division courses requirement and the American Cultures Requirement.

10.     The College of Engineering (COE) uses modified versions of five of the College of Letters and Science (L&S) breadth requirements lists to provide options to our students for completing the Humanities and Social Science requirement. Our requirement is different than that of L & S, so the guidelines posted on the top of each L & S breadth list do NOT apply to COE students.

11.     Foreign language courses MAY be used to complete H/SS requirements. L & S does not allow students to use many language courses, so their lists will not include all options open to Engineering students. For a list of language options, visit http://coe.berkeley.edu/FL

*NOTE: for the Series Requirement: The purpose of the series requirement is to provide depth of knowledge in a certain area. Therefore, a two-course sequence not in the same department may be approved by petition, in cases in which there is a clear and logical connection between the courses involved. 

Plan of Study

For more detailed information regarding the courses listed below (e.g., elective information, GPA requirements, etc.), please see the Major Requirements tab.

Freshman
FallUnitsSpringUnits
Chemistry: CHEM 1A and CHEM 1AL or CHEM 4A4Reading and Composition Course from List B4
MATH 1A4MATH 1B4
Reading and Composition Course from List A4PHYSICS 7A4
Free Elective3ENGIN 7 or COMPSCI 61A4
ENGIN 931 
 16 16
Sophomore
FallUnitsSpringUnits
ENE,RES C1004MEC ENG C85 or CIV ENG C303
Engineering Prep course3-4Engineering Prep course3-4
MATH 534MATH 544
PHYSICS 7B4MEC ENG 40 or ENGIN 1153-4
 15-16 13-15
Junior
FallUnitsSpringUnits
CIV ENG 100 or MEC ENG 1063-4Economics course3-4
MAT SCI 1364Math/Statistical Analysis course3-4
NUC ENG 1614MEC ENG 1093
EL ENG 137A4Humanities/Social Science course3-4
 15-16 12-15
Senior
FallUnitsSpringUnits
CIV ENG 108 or CIV ENG 1113ENGIN 1943
CIV ENG 107 or GEOG 1423-4EL ENG 1344
Sustainability course3Technical Elective3
Humanities/Social Sciences course3-4Humanities/Social Science course3-4
Free Elective4Free Elective4
 16-18 17-18
Total Units: 120-130

Courses

Energy Engineering

ENGIN 7 Introduction to Computer Programming for Scientists and Engineers 4 Units

Elements of procedural and object-oriented programming. Induction, iteration, and recursion. Real functions and floating-point computations for engineering analysis. Introduction to data structures. Representative examples are drawn from mathematics, science, and engineering. The course uses the MATLAB programming language. Sponsoring departments: Civil and Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

ENGIN W7 Introduction to Computer Programming for Scientists and Engineers 4 Units

Elements of procedural and object-oriented programming. Induction, iteration, and recursion. Real functions and floating-point computations for engineering analysis. Introduction to data structures. Representative examples are drawn from mathematics, science, and engineering. The course uses the MATLAB programming language.

ENGIN 10 Engineering Design and Analysis 3 Units

This is a is an introduction to the profession of engineering and its different disciplines through a variety of individual design and analysis projects. Hands on creativity,teamwork, and effective communication are emphasized. Common lecture sessions address the essence of engineering design, the practice of engineering analysis, the societal context for engineering projects and the ethics of the engineering profession. Students develop design and analysis skills, and practice applying these skills to illustrative problems drawn from various mechanical engineering topics such as material testing,aerodynamics, controls and design.

ENGIN 10 Engineering Design and Analysis 3 Units

This is a is an introduction to the profession of engineering and its different disciplines through a variety of individual design and analysis projects. Hands on creativity,teamwork, and effective communication are emphasized. Common lecture sessions address the essence of engineering design, the practice of engineering analysis, the societal context for engineering projects and the ethics of the engineering profession. Students develop design and analysis skills, and practice applying these skills to illustrative problems drawn from various mechanical engineering topics such as material testing,aerodynamics, controls and design.

ENGIN 15 Design Methodology 2 Units

Introduction to design methodology, problem definition, and the search for creative solutions. Social, political, legal, and ethical aspects of design solutions. Topics and discussions include the structure of engineering organizations, the product development cycle, mechanical dissection, reverse engineering, patents, failure case studies, product liability, and engineering ethics.

ENGIN 24 Freshman Seminar 1 Unit

The Berkeley Seminar Program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member in a small seminar setting. Berkeley Seminars are offered in all college departments, and topics vary from department to department and semester to semester.

ENGIN 25 Visualization for Design 2 Units

Development of 3-dimensional visualization skills for engineering design. Sketching as a tool for design communication. Presentation of 3-dimensional geometry with 2-dimensional engineering drawings. This course will introduce the use of 2-dimensional CAD on computer workstations as a major graphical analysis and design tool. A group design project is required. Teamwork and effective communication are emphasized.

ENGIN 26 Three-Dimensional Modeling for Design 2 Units

Three-dimensional modeling for engineering design. This course will emphasize the use of CAD on computer workstations as a major graphical analysis and design tool. Students develop design skills, and practice applying these skills. A group design project is required. Hands-on creativity, teamwork, and effective communication are emphasized.

ENGIN 27 Introduction to Manufacturing and Tolerancing 2 Units

Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), tolerance analysis for fabrication, fundamentals of manufacturing processes (metal cutting, welding, joining, casting, molding, and layered manufacturing).

ENGIN 28 Basic Engineering Design Graphics 3 Units

Introduction to the engineering design process and graphical communications tools used by engineers. Conceptual design of products. Tolerance analysis for fabrication. Documentation of design through engineering drawing. Development of spatial reasoning skills. Basic descriptive geometry. Parametric solid modeling and feature based design. Use of Computer-Assisted Design as a design tool.

ENGIN 39B Freshman/Sophomore Seminar 1.5 - 4 Units

Freshman and sophomore seminars offer lower division students the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member and a group of peers in a small-seminar setting. These seminars are offered in all campus departments; topics vary from department to department and from semester to semester. Enrollment limits are set by the faculty, but the suggested limit is 25.

ENGIN 39E Freshman/Sophomore Seminar 1.5 - 4 Units

Freshman and sophomore seminars offer lower division students the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member and a group of peers in a small-seminar setting. These seminars are offered in all campus departments; topics vary from department to department and from semester to semester. Enrollment limits are set by the faculty, but the suggested limit is 25.

ENGIN 39F Freshman/Sophomore Seminar 1.5 - 4 Units

Freshman and sophomore seminars offer lower division students the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member and a group of peers in a small-seminar setting. These seminars are offered in all campus departments; topics vary from department to department and from semester to semester. Enrollment limits are set by the faculty, but the suggested limit is 25.

ENGIN 45 Properties of Materials 3 Units

Application of basic principles of physics and chemistry to the engineering properties of materials. Special emphasis devoted to relation between microstructure and the mechanical properties of metals, concrete, polymers, and ceramics, and the electrical properties of semiconducting materials. Sponsoring Department: Materials Science and Engineering

ENGIN 47 Supplementary Work in Lower Division Engineering 1 - 3 Units

May be taken only with permission of the Dean of the College of Engineering. Students with partial credit in a lower division engineering course may complete the work under this heading.

ENGIN 92 Perspectives in Engineering 1 Unit

This series of lectures provides students, especially undeclared Engineering students, with information on the various engineering disciplines to guide them toward choice of major. Lecturers describe research activities, how they made their own career choices, and indicate future opportunities. Recommended for all Engineering Science students and required for Engineering undeclared students.

ENGIN 93 Energy Engineering Seminar 1 Unit

Weekly seminar with different speakers on energy-related topics. The goal is to expose students to a broad range of energy issues.

ENGIN 98 Directed Group Studies for Lower Division Undergraduates 1 - 4 Units

Seminars for group study of selected topics, which will vary from year to year. Intended for students in the lower division.

ENGIN 115 Engineering Thermodynamics 4 Units

Fundamental laws of thermodynamics for simple substances; application to flow processes and to nonreacting mixtures; statistical thermodynamics of ideal gases and crystalline solids; chemical and materials thermodynamics; multiphase and multicomponent equilibria in reacting systems; electrochemistry. Sponsoring Departments: Materials Science and Engineering and Nuclear Engineering.

ENGIN 117 Methods of Engineering Analysis 3 Units

Methods of theoretical engineering analysis; techniques for analyzing partial differential equations and the use of special functions related to engineering systems. Sponsoring Department: Mechanical Engineering.

ENGIN 120 Principles of Engineering Economics 3 Units

Economic analysis for engineering decision making: Capital flows, effect of time and interest rate. Different methods of evaluation of alternatives. Minimum-cost life and replacement analysis. Depreciation and taxes. Uncertainty; preference under risk; decision analysis. Capital sources and their effects. Economic studies.

ENGIN 125 Ethics, Engineering, and Society 3 Units

How should engineers analyze and resolve the ethical issues inherent in engineering? This seminar-style course provides an introduction to how theories, concepts, and methods from the humanities and social science can be applied to ethical problems in engineering. Assignments incorporate group and independent research designed to provide students an opportunity to contribute novel findings to the emerging field of engineering ethics while building their analytical and communication skills. This course cannot be used to fulfill any engineering technical requirements (units or courses).

ENGIN 128 Advanced Engineering Design Graphics 3 Units

Advanced graphics tools for engineering design. Parametric solid modeling. Assembly modeling. Presentation using computer animation and multimedia techniques.

ENGIN 147 Supplementary Work in Upper Division Engineering 1 - 3 Units

May be taken only with permission of the Dean of the College of Engineering. Students with partial credit in an upper division engineering course may complete the work under this heading.

ENGIN 157AC Engineering, The Environment, and Society 4 Units

This course engages students at the intersection of environmental justice, social justice, and engineering to explore how problems that are commonly defined in technical terms are at their roots deeply socially embedded. Through partnerships with community-based organizations, students are trained to recognize the socio-political nature of technical problems so that they may approach solutions in ways that prioritize social justice. Topics covered include environmental engineering as it relates to air, water, and soil contamination; race, class, and privilege; expertise; ethics; and engaged citizenship. This course cannot be used to complete any engineering technical or unit requirements.

ENGIN 177 Advanced Programming with MATLAB 3 Units

The course builds an understanding, demonstrates engineering uses, and provides hand-on experience for object-oriented programming as well as exposes a practical knowledge of advanced features available in MATLAB. The course will begin with a brief review of basic MATLAB features and quickly move to class organization and functionality. The introduced concepts are reinforced by examining the advanced graphical features of MATLAB. The material will also include the effective use of programs written in C and FORTRAN, and will cover SIMULINK, a MATLAB toolbox providing for an effective ways of model simulations. Throughout the course, the emphasis will be placed on examples and homework assignments from engineering disciplines.

ENGIN 194 Undergraduate Research 3 Units

Students who have completed a satisfactory number of advanced courses may pursue original research under the direction of one of the members of the staff. Final report and presentation required.

ENGIN 198 Directed Group Studies for Advanced Undergraduates 1 - 4 Units

Group study of selected topics.

Contact Information

Engineering Science Program

Visit Program Website

Program Chair

Robert Harley, PhD

667 Davis Hall

harley@ce.berkeley.edu

Faculty Adviser

Ana Claudia Arias, PhD

acarias@eecs.berkeley.edu

College of Engineering Student Services

230 Bechtel Engineering Center

Phone: 510-643-7594

Fax: 510-643-8653

ess@ce.berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Staff Adviser

Mitzi Stevens

stevens3@berkeley.edu

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