Bradley Layton
bradley.layton@umontana.edu
Course Form (revised 5/1/12)
(Instructions: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/courseform_instructionsX.aspx)
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
Applied Computing &
Prefix and Course # NRG 250
Electronics/Energy
Technology
Course Title
Energy Finance
Please check one or more
X New course  Delete course
of the following:
Course Changes
 Course Title  Description  Learning Outcomes
 Prerequisites  Cross-listing  Other
 Credits
from _________ to________
 Number / Level from _________ to________
 Repeatability
from _________ to________
Justification / explanation (required for ALL proposals) For new courses please provide rationale for why
the course is needed, how it fits with exiting curriculum and whether there are curricular adjustments.
This course is part of a restructuring of the Energy Technology curriculum. With the
growing concern over sustainable energy choices and their intimate relationship to
financial structures, it is critical that those entering this field be fluent in the language of
finance. Understanding the underlying fundamentals of the time value of money is also
critical when making decisions that have financial implications that can last for decades
or longer. This collaboration among the faculty involved also supports “Partnering for
Student Success,” “Education for the Global Century” and “Dynamic Learning
Environment.”
Has the Department gone through common course Review?
 Yes  No X In process
II. Syllabus/Assessment Information Required for new courses, learning outcome changes and
course change from U to UG.
Important: please spell out learning goals and learning outcomes clearly in the syllabus.
Learning Goals are a list of what students should know, understand, or be able to do at the end of
the course, including essential information and knowledge or skills relevant to the subject area.
Learning Outcomes are measures of performance or behavior that indicate, to the teacher and the
students, that students understand the material, and what criteria differentiates among different
levels of understanding. Attach syllabus at the end of the document.
III. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Requestor:
Bradley Layton
9/14/12
Phone/ email :
x7865
Program Chair(s)/Director:
Thomas
Gallagher
Lynn Stocking
Dean(s):
Approve
bradley.layton
@umontana.edu
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
All other affected programs:
 Yes  No
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Bradley Layton
bradley.layton@umontana.edu
 Yes  No
Are other departments/programs affected by this
modification because of
(a) required courses incl. prerequisites or corequisites,
(b) perceived overlap in content areas
(c) cross-listing of coursework
Signatory Comments (required for disapproval):
Please obtain signature(s) from the Chair/Director
of any such department/ program (above) before
submission
IV: To Add a New Course Syllabus and assessment information is required (paste syllabus into
section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
Common Course Numbering Review (Department Chair Must Initial):
YES
NO
Does an equivalent course exist elsewhere in the MUS? Check all relevant disciplines if
X
course is interdisciplinary. (http://www.mus.edu/Qtools/CCN/ccn_default.asp)
If YES: Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits align with existing course(s)? Please indicate
equivalent course/campus. 
If NO: Course may be unique, but is subject to common course review. The course number may be changed
at the system level.
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces) Energy Finance
Exact entry to appear in the next catalog (Specify course abbreviation, level, number, title, credits,
repeatability (if applicable), frequency of offering, prerequisites, and a brief description.) 
U 250 Energy Finance 3 cr. Offered summer. An introduction to the terminology,
policies, and mathematical models for financing energy technology projects. Concepts
covered include time value of money, tax code, triple bottom line, and cost-benefit
analysis. Microsoft Excel will be used.
Complete for UG courses (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment - see procedure 301.30
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/procedures/default.aspx
Complete for Co-convened courses
Companion course number, title, and description (include syllabus of companion course in section V)
See procedure 301.20 http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/procedures/default.aspx
New fees and changes to existing fees are only approved once each biennium by the
Board of Regents. The coordination of fee submission is administered by
Administration and Finance. Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific
conditions according to Policy 940.12.1 http://mus.edu/borpol/bor900/940-12-1.pdf .
Please indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
2
YES
NO
X
Bradley Layton
bradley.layton@umontana.edu
V. Change an Existing Course
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course
number
4. Is this a course with MUS Common Course Numbering?
http://www.mus.edu/Qtools/CCN/ccn_default.asp
If yes, please explain below whether the change will eliminate the common course status.
YES NO
5. If co-convened course: companion course number, title, and description
(include syllabus of companion course in section V) See procedure 301.20
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/procedures/default.aspx
6. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to UG.
Reference procedure 301.30:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/procedures/default.aspx
Have you reviewed the graduate
increment guidelines? Please check (X)
space provided.
(syllabus must be attached)
7. Other programs affected by the change
8. Is there a fee associated with the course?
VI Department Summary (Required if several forms are submitted) In a separate document list course
number, title, and proposed change for all proposals.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission. After approval, submit original, one copy, summary of
proposals and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221, camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.
Energy Finance and Economics
Course Number: NRG250
Credits:
3
Meeting times: MWF 9:00am – noon:30 HB07
Instructor:
Bradley Layton
406-243-7865
bradley.layton@umontana.edu
Office Hours:
TR 9:30-11:00 or by appt.
Pre-/Co-requisites:
Sophomore status or instructor permission. Familiarity
with MS Excel.
Course Description NRG250 Energy Economics is theory and project-based course
designed to give students decision making skills when evaluating the advantages of
installing, purchasing, or investing in various energy systems. Business planning
and clean tech start-up financing will also be addressed. Students will work in
teams to test several energy installation scenarios, accounting for installation,
maintenance, utility fees, licensing fees, and environmental impacts. Consideration
is given to the physical and engineering aspects of a particular technology under
investigation. Domestic and municipal water and food systems and their
relationship to transportation will also be investigated with an eye towards
individual food and energy independence.
Course Overview Energy Economics is suitable for second-year students in the
Energy Technology Program seeking a better understanding of the time-value of
money function when bidding a job, or accounting students seeking a better
understanding of the technical aspects of making various energy technologies costeffective. Students will become familiar with tax credits, cash flow forecasting and
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Bradley Layton
bradley.layton@umontana.edu
financing options, conduct cost-benefit analysis on various energy investment and
explore variables that impact payback. Triple bottom line metrics will be examined.
Course Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
 Understand the importance of energy in our current technological society;

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
Work with a business planning template
Produce and analyze a projected cash flow statement
Identify capital appropriate to different stages of a company and outline what is
required to approach these capital markets
Distinguish between tax credits vs. tax deductions – state and federal (use DSIRE data)
Understand capital budgeting (return on investment, internal rate of return and simple
payback)
o Variables such as electricity prices, projected inflationary factors, discount rates,
etc.
Comprehend case studies (analyze project feasibility as to triple bottom line)
o Replacing forced-air system with PV (commercial)
o Upgrade fleet (commercial)
o Lighting retrofit (residential)
o Replace inefficient appliances with energy-star grade appliances (residential)
o Building energy retrofit (commercial)
Develop a working knowledge of the historical cost of energy
Manipulate relevant energy analysis software programs
Review past projects from Energy Technology students
Required Texts:
Rauf Energy Finance for Engineers. Publisher, 2011 ISBN: 978-1-4398-5193-7,
Adobe (.pdf) files posted on Moodle - found under unit heading “Business Planning
& Financing”
Lovins, A. 2011. Reinventing Fire. Rocky Mountain Institute, ISBN: 9781603583718
Assessment/Grading Policies
Grades are based upon successful completion of the following:
Quizzes (5)
50%
Course Project(s) Draft
15%
Course Project(s) Final
25%
Participation/Attendance/Summary responses
10%
Grade scale
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F < 60
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Bradley Layton
bradley.layton@umontana.edu
Exams, of which there are five, will be given each week, are noncumulative, and
will require working over an extended period on spreadsheets. The window for
taking the exam will begin on Friday at noon and close on Sunday at noon. There
are no ‘make-up exams’ without prior notice of absence. If you will miss an
exam, you must notify me in advance.
Attendance and participation are mandatory, and as you will note, it can
positively or negatively affect your grade. Participation is also highly
recommended—and is required: students must post substantively at least three
times on a minimum of three days (three posts per week).
Course Projects will be done in teams of two. The guidelines will be given during
the first week of lecture, and will involve a cost analysis of several energy
technologies which may include photovoltaics, wind, microhydro, geothermal, solar
hot water, wood, natural gas, biomass, etc. There will also be short assignments
due for the following topics: Business planning/cash flow projections, capital
budgeting
Lectures are recorded three times per week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
mornings in Missoula. Students living in town are encouraged to attend. For out-oftown students, and students with commuting challenges, the lectures are also
available for viewing via iTunesU. A link to iTunesU is available under OneStop.
Course Supplement This course has a Moodle supplement where all readings,
copies of the syllabus, course schedule, some exams and quizzes, as well as other
course materials can be found.
Drop/Add Policy http://www.umt.edu/catalog/policy_procedure.htm
Academic Honesty Policy All students must practice academic honesty. Academic
misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a
disciplinary sanction by the University. All students need to be familiar with the
Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at
http://www.umt.edu/SA/VPSA/index.cfm?page?1321.
Students with disabilities will receive reasonable accommodations. To request
course modifications, please contact me as soon as possible. I will work with you
and Disability Services in the accommodation process. For more information, visit
the Disability Services website at http://www.umt.edu/dss/ or call 406.243.2243
(Voice/Text).
Online support may be obtained via courseware-support@umontana.edu or x4999
Communication is vital. If you have a medical or similar issue that is causing you
to be tardy with test taking or assignments submission, contact me via e-mail or
phone. Do not rely on a Forum post for a prompt response.
Email policy at UM According to University policy effective 1 July 2007, an
“employee must use only UMM assigned student email accounts for all email
exchanges with students, since such communication typically involves private
student information.” This means that you must send any correspondence through
your GrizMail account. For more information on setting up and using your GrizMail
account, please go to http://www.umt.edu/it/email/studentemail.htm.
Schedule of Classes
Summer 2012: For a schedule of classes, please see the Provost’s website.
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Bradley Layton
Week 1:
Week 1:
Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 2:
Money Concepts
Week 2:
Budgeting
Week 3:
Week 3:
Week 3:
projects
Week 4:
Week 4:
Week 4:
Week 5:
Week 5:
Markets
Week 5:
bradley.layton@umontana.edu
5-21-12
5-23-12
5-25-12
5-28-12
5-30-12
Lecture
Lecture
Lecture
Lecture
Lecture
1
2
3
1
2
6-1-12
Lecture 3 UMT Bus Decision Making Using Capital
6-4-12
6-6-12
6-8-12
Lecture 1 Layton
Lecture 2 Layton
Lecture 3 Layton
EFFE
EFFE
review of past energy tech
6-11-12
6-13-12
6-15-12
6-18-12
6-20-12
Lecture
Lecture
Lecture
Lecture
Lecture
EFFE
EFFE
EFFE
CleanTech Business Planning
Cash Flow Forecasting & Capital
6-22-12
Lecture 3 Layton
1
2
3
1
2
Layton
Layton
Layton
Holiday
UMT Bus
Layton
Layton
Layton
MU Bus
MU Bus
6
Syllabus, Intro, Project
Lovins
Nash
reading assignment
Tax Concepts and Time Value of
Presentations
Bradley Layton
bradley.layton@umontana.edu
Class Outline
Week 1 – Reinventing Fire Amory Lovins – Layton
 Game theory, Amory Lovins, energy analysis software programs
 Energy metrics, conversion protocols and analysis
Week 2 – Economics of analyzing energy investments
o One class: (UMT Bus) introduction to US income taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes;
considering taxes in decision making; time value of money concepts and capital budgeting
o One class: (UMT Bus) using capital budgeting to make energy conservation purchase
decision; using capital budgeting to make renewable energy purchase decisions; sources of
data for using capital budgeting in energy conservation and renewable energy purchase
decisions
Week 3 –
o One class: (MC Bus) – business planning in the clean tech environment (including guest
speaker, Jason Kiely, of Rivertop Renewables) One class: (Lisa) – forecasting cash flow and
packaging investments for capital markets
Week 4 –Energy Auditing for Engineers – Layton
o Review past projects from Energy Tech Students.
o Cash flow projection/business planning assignment due 6-15-12
Week 5 – Final preparation of projects
o Students work in teams and closely with faculty to prepare final projects.
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