October 19, 2009

EP offers certificate in climate change, energy, sustainability

A new advanced certificate for post-master’s study in climate change, energy and environmental sustainability is now being offered by Johns Hopkins University Engineering for Professionals, the part-time graduate program of the university’s Whiting School of Engineering.

The six-course certificate program was developed to help engineers, scientists and managers design and implement solutions to environmental challenges.

“The human race is living unsustainably. We are not energy-efficient and are approaching irreversible consequences,” said Michael Robert, an instructor in EP’s Environmental Engineering, Science and Management program and branch head at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Bethesda, Md. “Our knowledge in these topics has dramatically increased over the past few years. This certificate program offers a very good mix of qualitative and quantitative courses to give working professionals additional skills to address energy and pollution problems.”

One of the very few programs of its kind in the country, the Johns Hopkins certificate program is geared toward those with master’s degrees in environmental engineering, science or management, or in the natural sciences, economics or business.

Hedy Alavi, chair of EP’s Environmental Engineering, Science and Management program, said, “There is a real need for this program, and we want professionals to be able to stay ahead of the curve as these contemporary issues arise and to make the best, most informed decisions possible.”

The program consists of five core courses and several advanced electives. If warranted, some of the core courses may be replaced by elective courses.

The core courses are Climate Change and Global Environmental Sustainability, Air Resources Modeling and Management, Sustainable Development and Next-Generation Buildings, Energy Planning and the Environment, and Smart Growth Strategies for Sustainable Urban Development and Revitalization. Elective courses cover topics that include alternate energy technology, the physics of climate, policy analysis and environmental law, among others. Several courses are the result of collaborative efforts between EP and the Whiting School’s Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, the Applied Physics Laboratory, the Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Krieger School’s Advanced Academic Programs.

With a rolling admissions policy in place, students may begin the program in the fall, spring or summer semesters. Several courses are also offered online.

For more information on the certificate, go to www.ep.jhu.edu/sustainability.