Wind Energy Academic Programs at Texas Tech
Kishor Mehta, Ph.D., P.E. 1, Richard P. Walker, P.E.2, and Andrew Swift, Ph.D.,P.E.3
1.
P.W. Horn Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Texas Tech University,
Kishor.mehta@ttu.edu
2.
Research Associate/Instructor, Texas Tech University Wind Science and Engineering
Research Center, Richard.p.walker@ttu.edu
3.
Director, Texas Tech University, Wind Science and Engineering Research Center,
Andy.swift@ttu.edu
ABSTRACT:
Wind energy as an industry is expanding at a phenomenal rate. There is a severe dearth of
manpower that has a good basic understanding of wind energy for the industry. Texas Tech
University, with its long term history of research and education in wind engineering, is
developing curricula in wind energy at all levels of higher education. The curricula includes twoyear technical associate degree (this is being developed by a sister institution), a four-year
bachelor degree program, a post-graduate Certificate program, and a Ph.D. research oriented
degree in Wind Science and Engineering. This paper discusses interdisciplinary B.S. degree
curriculum that is under development and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. degree that has been in place
since 2007. The paper also discusses experiences of development of interdisciplinary degree that
crosses the boundaries of departments and colleges.
INTRODUCTION:
There is a critical need for professionals in the wind industry that are specifically
educated in the basics of wind energy and wind engineering. Currently, almost all new
employees entering the wind energy industry have virtually no background in wind energy, while
many wind-related businesses are growing so rapidly and have so much to do that little time can
be devoted to training the incoming employees. The Department of energy’s report, ‘20% Wind
energy by 2030’ [1] indicates that achieving the 20% goal will require 180,000 direct
manufacturing, constructions, and operation personnel in the next two decades as shown in
Figure 1. Meet the goal of 20% of electricity from wind energy will require a ready supply of
professionals educated in the basics of wind energy. The need for professionals educated in the
basics of wind energy will continue beyond the many decades to come, potentially forever.
The wind energy industry is a complex industry. It requires workforce educated in a
variety of subject matter. From an academic point of view it is a multidisciplinary industry that
can include areas such as energy commerce, atmospheric science, electrical, construction and
mechanical technology, natural resource management, environmental science and others.
Our vision at Texas Tech University is to develop work force through education and
training that can provide a steady stream of personnel for the wind energy industry. Our
objectives are to establish curricula at all levels of higher education which can educate and train
people to work in the wind energy industry including design and construction, maintenance,
business, finance, supervision, management, policy making, environmental impact, as well
research and development.
1
The paper presents an overview of a series of curricula to produce personnel for wind
energy industry. In addition, it gives details of two curricula, a multidisciplinary bachelor’s
degree with wind energy emphasis and a Ph.D. degree in Wind Science and Engineering with
research related to wind energy. Both degrees are multidisciplinary involving several related and
existing disciplines. Uniqueness of these degrees are that they transcend traditional discipline
oriented academic departments and colleges. Crossing multiple departments and colleges in the
university with our curricula presents difficulties within a traditional university hierarchy, and
these difficulties are also discussed in this paper.
Figure 1. Work Force Needs in Wind Energy Industry
Over the Next Twenty years [1]
Wind Energy Curricula:
VISION: To develop workforce through education and training that can provide personnel for
the wind energy industry.
OBJECTIVE: To establish curricula at all levels of higher education which can educate and
train people to work in the wind energy industry including design and construction, maintenance,
business, finance, supervision, management, policy making, environmental impact, as well as
research.
2
APPROACH: It is proposed to develop model curricula for degree programs which can be used
by other institutions. Four degree programs are suggested (two are in place) as well as a
graduate certificate program.
1
Two-year program in Wind Energy Technology that trains personnel to operate and
maintain wind turbines and wind power plants. Texas State Technical College in
Sweetwater, Texas has this program in place. The program contains two-year Associate
degrees or Certificate programs in safety, wind turbine maintenance, construction
inspection and other subject areas. Texas Tech collaborates with this institution (located
120 miles from Lubbock) to provide quality control of the course contents as well as
facilitating transparent transfer to four year degree program to Texas Tech or other state
institution.
2
Bachelor of University Studies in Wind Energy curriculum will provide multidisciplinary
scientific background for work in various facets of the wind energy industry. This
curriculum will include general education, specialty courses in wind energy, and two
focus areas related to wind energy. This curriculum is discussed in this paper.
3. Graduate Certificate in Wind Energy will include 15 hours of graduate-level coursework.
There will be a technical track that is physical science based as well as a managerial track
for non-technical professionals. Four graduate level courses are under development, two
technically based and two managerial based, which will be offered on campus during
2009 and 2010. These courses are also formulated so that they can be offered through the
College of Distance Education (www.depts.ttu.edu/ode/windenergy/). In addition to wind
energy courses, the Certificate program includes courses on leadership/ethics, power
electronics, wind energy meteorology, and other related courses. Successful completion
of five courses (two in wind energy and three related elective courses) qualifies for a
Certificate from the Graduate School at Texas Tech University. This program was
approved by the Graduate Council and Academic Council in April 2009.
4. Master of Science in Wind Science and Engineering (with optional emphasis in Wind
Energy) will be a non-thesis degree and will include advanced coursework in wind
science and engineering related to wind energy. Students with a bachelor’s degree in
engineering or physical sciences will be able to enter this program. This degree will be
developed in the future. Currently, students with a master’s degree in engineering,
physical sciences, or mathematics are entering doctoral degree program in wind science
and engineering. Any student with physical science or engineering undergraduate degree
can take graduate level wind energy courses.
5. Ph.D. in Wind Science and Engineering degree includes dissertation research in a wind
energy related area. This degree, approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board in 2007, is in place at Texas Tech University. It is discussed in this paper.
3
Bachelor Degree curriculum:
Wind energy curriculum at the bachelor’s degree level is designed to provide technical
knowledge in wind energy along with general education for all college graduates as well as
knowledge in other areas related to wind energy. The subject of wind energy is a complex
multidisciplinary area which requires knowledge in other areas along with direct understanding
of wind energy. With this thought in mind, a multidisciplinary bachelor’s degree curriculum is
established as shown in Figure 2.
The curriculum is a 120 credit hour program. Of these, 50 credit hours are devoted to
general education that is required for all bachelor’s degrees in the university. This is a
requirement for Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation. It is necessary to
include calculus and physics as part of the general education since wind energy is a technical
subject.
The next block of course work is in wind energy consisting of 18 credit hours. Not all of
these coursesexist in the current university offerings, althoughthey are currently under
development. More details of these courses are given subsequently in this paper. As shown in
Figure 2, subject areas such as energy commerce, atmospheric sciences, natural resources
management, etc. are part of this curriculum. These subject areas are in the colleges of
engineering, arts and sciences, agriculture, and business administration and have existing courses
in respective departments. It is required that each student’s curriculum include two of these
subject areas with six courses (or eighteen credit hours) in each one. By including the
requirement of six courses the students will have prerequisite to take junior and senior level
courses. This requirement of two subject areas is designed to let students choose the focused area
that they are interested, but the desire is that these subject areas will be complementary to an
education emphasizing wind energy. It is our goal to provide flexibility to students in the
multidisciplinary area of wind energy. An additional requirement is the industrial internship for
three months during a summer. Because the curriculum crosses the bounds of departments and
even colleges, the degree is part of University Studies degree program.A typical four-year
curriculum in University Studies with an emphasis in Wind Energy is shown in Table 1 (see page
6 for more information.)
4
Bachelor Degree Curriculum:
CREDIT HOURS
•
Core curriculum as required for B.S. degree by the university:
50
o Communication (9 hours)
o Mathematics (6 hours; these will be Calculus I and II)
o Natural Sciences (8 hours; Physics)
o Applied Science (3 hours )
o Humanities (3 hours )
o Visual and Performing Arts (3 hours )
o Social Sciences (15 hours)
o Multicultural Study (3 hours)
o Foreign Language (by exam)
**Listing of only the courses that have Texas Common Course Numbering System
(TCCNS); this will assure transfer of courses from any other State College or
University in Texas
•
Wind Energy required courses:
1. WE 1200: Introduction to Wind Energy (2 hours)
2. WE 2300: Social Impacts of Wind Energy (3 hours)
3. WE 3300: Wind Energy Science and Technology I (3 hours)
4. WE 3100: Wind Energy Lab (1 hour)
5. WE 3310: Wind Energy Science and Technology II (3 hours)
6. WE 4300: Power Distribution (3 hours)
7. WE 4310: Modeling and Design (3 hours)
18
•
COIN (Cooperative Internship) 3300: Required Industry Internship (6 hours)
6
•
Choose six courses each from two of the following areas (A and B)
A. Energy Commerce (choice of existing 9 courses)
B. Electrical-Electronics Technology (choice of 18 courses)
C. Construction Technology (choice of 6 courses)
D. Mechanical Technology (choice of 9 courses)
E. Landscape Architecture (choice of 7 courses)
F. Business Administration/International Business (choice of 12 courses)
G. Atmospheric Sciences (choice of 11 courses)
H. Natural Resources Management (choice of 10 courses)
I. Study Abroad Program (with approval of advisor)
36
•
Electives
10
Total Credit Hours 120
Figure 2: Bachelor’s Degree Curriculum Focusing on Wind Energy
A typical four year curriculum is shown in Table 1.
5
Table 1: A Typical Four-Year Curriculum in University Studies with Emphasis in Wind
Energy
YEAR ONE
Course Number
MATH 1351
ENGL 1301
HIST 2300
POLS 1301
Any
Course Number
MATH 1352
PHYS 1408
ENGL 1302
WE 1200
Focus A-1
Fall
Course Title
Mathematics
Communication
Social Sciences
Social Sciences
Humanities
Spring
Course Title
Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Communication
Intro to Wind Energy
No. Credit Hours
3
3
3
3
3
15
No. Credit Hours
3
4
3
2
3
15
YEAR TWO
Course Number
Any
PHYS 2401
POLS 2302
Focus A-2
Focus B-1
Course Number
HIST 2301
WE 2300
Focus A-3
Focus B-2
Focus B-3
Fall
Course Title
Communication
Natural Sciences
Social Sciences
Spring
Course Title
Social Sciences
Social Impacts
No. Credit Hours
3
4
3
3
3
16
No. Credit Hours
3
3
3
3
3
15
6
YEAR THREE
Course Number
Any
WE 3300
Focus A-4
Focus B-4
Elective
Course Number
Any
Any
WE 3310
Focus A-5
Elective
Fall
Course Title
Social Sciences
Sci and Tech I
Spring
Course Title
Applied Science
Visual/Performing Arts
Sci and Tech II
No. Credit Hours
3
4
3
3
3
16
No. Credit Hours
3
3
3
3
4
16
SUMMER YEAR #3
Co-op Internship – 6 credit hours
YEAR FOUR
Course Number
WE 4300
Focus A-6
Focus B-5
Elective
Course Number
Any
Focus B-6
WE 4310
Fall
Course Title
Power Distribution
Spring
Course Title
Multicultural Studies
Modelling
No. Credit Hours
3
3
3
3
12
No. Credit Hours
3
3
3
9
7
•
Focus A and B from different areas shown in degree curriculum in Figure 2
Details of wind energy courses are given below. The first two courses, WE 1200 and WE
2300, are open to any students with no prerequisite. The junior and senior level courses starting
with 3000 series are technically based and require calculus and physics as prerequisite. As
indicated in the descriptions of the courses, basics of boundary layer atmosphere, power
distribution, safety criteria, electronic and construction technologies, social impact of wind
energy as well legal aspects related to wind energy industry will be covered in the WE courses.
The goal is to cover basics of wind energy in these courses and let students specialize in other
aspects of wind energy by choosing two subject areas listed in Figure 2. Examples of curriculum
related to subject such as construction technology, energy development etc that are based on jobs
are shown in Table 2.
WE 1200: Introduction to Wind Energy: This course is intended to give students a basic
understanding of the wind industry and help them determine if this is a field they may want to
work in upon graduation. This will be the introductory course for the university’s planned
undergraduate degree program in wind energy, and will provide the platform upon which
students will expand their knowledge toward such a degree. Subject matter includes the basics
of energy and electricity, meteorology and the causes of wind, the history of wind power, the
basics of extracting energy from the wind, wind turbine architecture and technology,
environmental issues of wind energy development, landowner issues and considerations, the
electric transmission grid and power markets, finance and economics of wind development, and
state and national energy policy. This course was offered in Spring Semester 2009.
WE 2300: Social Impacts of Wind Energy: This course is the second course offered as part of
the university’s planned undergraduate degree in wind energy. The objective of this course is to
give students an in-depth understanding of the impact that large-scale development of wind
energy and other renewable energy sources, along with a gradual transition away from fossil
fuels, can have on our environment, our economy, our health, our national security, and many
aspects of our day-to-day lives. These impacts will be considered from a local, state, national,
and international perspective. Topics will include government regulations, health and safety
considerations, environmental issues of renewable and traditional generation technologies, and
natural resources management. This course will be offered in Fall Semester 2009.
WE 3300: Wind Energy Science and Technology: This course is intended to educate students
about the basic aerodynamic, mechanical and electrical aspects of wind turbines and modern
wind turbine architecture. The objective of the course will be to teach students to understand and
be able to calculate (1) the energy in the wind, (2) that percentage which is then captured by the
rotor and converted to mechanical energy, and (3) the conversion of mechanical power from the
wind into electrical power. The course will also cover meteorology, wind farm electrical layout
and interconnection to the electric transmission grid, and the efficiency and impact of wind
energy relative to conventional energy sources. This course has prerequisite of calculus and
physics.
WE 3100: Wind Energy Lab: This lab is intended as a means to reinforce the learning of topics
covered in WE 3300 through hands-on applications including assembly of wind turbine models,
wind measurements and instrumentations, data acquisition systems, computer simulation and
modeling of turbine blade aerodynamics, the use of wind modeling software such as
Windlographer, WAsP, or similar packages, and the design and optimization of wind farm
electrical layouts.
WE 3310: Wind Energy Science and Technology II: This course is intended to provide more
in-depth and comprehensive education in the aerodynamic, mechanical and electrical aspects of
wind turbines, and the architecture of modern wind turbine and wind energy projects. Students
will learn about and be required to demonstrate knowledge of subjects including (1) the lifecycle cost of energy from wind projects, (2) legal and environmental issues/challenges pertaining
to wind energy, (3) standards and certifications of the wind industry, and (4) project development
and construction.
WE 4300: Power Distribution: This course is intended to educate students on the integration of
modern wind turbine technology and other renewable energy sources with the electric grid.
Topics covered will include three-phase power, the electrical characteristics of differing wind
turbine technologies and their impact on the electric transmission system, power electronics in
wind turbines, the interconnection of wind projects at both transmission and distribution
voltages, components of the electric grid, the challenges of integrating large amounts of wind
generation into the electric grid and the associated costs to the operator of the electric grid,
electric utility regulation and tariffs, identification of the various electric reliability councils
(ISO’s or RTO’s) and their rules and protocols relevant to wind energy, and electricity markets /
power marketing.
WE 4310: Wind Energy Modeling and Design: This course is intended as a “capstone” course
incorporating the use of knowledge gained from each of the previous courses. Students will be
assigned a geographic area in which they will be asked to go through the steps necessary to
develop and design a wind energy project including field reconnaissance, mapping, use of GIS
databases, site selection, landowner identification, fatal flaw environmental review, undertaking
steps that would be necessary for permitting, identification of transmission interconnection
options, site layout, securing available geotechnical data to aid in estimating foundation costs,
electric collection system design, use of wind modeling software to estimate annual energy
production, and development of a pro-forma financial analysis.
COIN 3300: Industry Internship: The summer-long internship program will provide students
with real-world experience in the wind energy industry and help them better understand and be
able to apply those topics being covered in the wind energy courses. An internship also provides
the student a better understanding of the industry which will allow him to direct his/her future
studies in those areas he or she is most interested in pursuing as a career path, and it provides
employers an opportunity to identify high-quality candidates for continued employment
following the student’s completion of his or her education.
Table 2: Examples of Combinations of “Blocks” that may be Appropriate for Certain
Jobs in the Wind Industry
Wind Development:
Environmental/Siting/Permitting
Specialist:
1. Wind Energy
1. Wind Energy
2. Natural Resources Management
2. Natural Resources Management
3. Energy Commerce
Studies
3. Geosciences / Atmospheric
Construction Management:
Financial Analysis / Business
Management:
1. Wind Energy
1.
Wind Energy
2. Construction Technology
2.
Energy Commerce
3. Energy Commerce
3.
Minor in Business Admin.
Wind Resource Analyst:
1. Wind Energy
2. Geosciences / Atmospheric Studies
3. Energy Commerce
Doctoral Degree:
The past NSF-IGERT program, Multidisciplinary Program in Wind Science and
Engineering, was funded for the duration of five years (Jan. 2003 – Dec. 2007). The program has
achieved an outstanding success in contributing to the multidisciplinary Ph.D. degree in Wind
Science and Engineering. The degree curriculum has been scrutinized by committees in the
Colleges of Engineering and Arts and Sciences, in the School of Architecture, and in the
Graduate School. The Board of Regents and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
(THECB) have approved this curriculum. This multidisciplinary doctoral degree program in
wind science and engineering is unique in the United States. It permits in-depth study and
research in various areas related to wind such as wind energy, wind engineering, boundary layer
meteorology, economics/risk management related to wind disaster, or emergency management
Our goal is to provide students with the broad education demanded by the complexity of
hazards and the human habitat as well as addressing problems with the implementation of wind
energy systems. Students are required to take core courses in atmospheric science, wind
engineering, economics/risk management, statistics, and leadership/professional ethics. In order
to assure the viability of graduates entering the job market, at least six graduate-level courses in
one area of major (e.g., civil or mechanical engineering, atmospheric sciences, economics,
statistics, or other physical science field), or a Masters degree in a discipline is required. This
core knowledge is enhanced by gaining innovative experimental knowledge from laboratory and
field experiment courses and through participation in an internship. Studies in ethics provide a
vital link between research and implementation. Finally, students apply these integrated skills to
research focus areas of the wind program that include wind loads on wind turbines, wind damage
documentation, and economics of wind energy production, damage mitigation and other research
areas. We believe that this process produces well-rounded graduates who are prepared for
deciding public policies, broader research, professional practice, or educating the next
generation.
Curriculum and Polices: The doctoral curriculum includes required core courses, optional
coursework tailored to each student, transfer credit from M.S. degree, external internship, and
dissertation.
Required core courses are:
• Atmospheric science of boundary layer
• Economics and risk management
• Wind engineering
• Statistics (two)
• Leadership/professional ethics
In addition to the required courses, coursework of optional courses is tailored to the need
of each candidate. Some of the optional courses available are:
• Atmospheric field experiments
• Wind storm hazards
• Meteorology for wind energy
• Wind engineering laboratory
• Wind power systems (two)
• Windstorm damage analysis
• Systems theory
• Managerial economics
• Stochastic processes
• Numerical analysis
• Public policy theory and process
The goal of coursework is to provide a broad background that permits the student to
pursue dissertation research.
Students are required to participate in an external internship at an academic institution,
government agency or laboratory, or industry. This internship has helped students understand
practical aspects of research. Close to twenty-five institutions, agencies, and companies have
shown interest in hosting an intern from the program. These internship experiences have assisted
candidates in their pursuit of dissertation research and have provided a network for future
collaboration. Past internship locations include the following: NOAA Hurricane Center in
Miami, Duke Energy, Oklahoma Climatological Survey Center for Spatial Analysis, Wisconsin
Emergency Management, USDA, Louisiana State University Hurricane Center, University of
Western Ontario’s Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel, National Center for Atmospheric Research,
ABS Consulting, State farm Insurance and Babcock and Brown Wind Energy. Current students
on internships this year are working with Tokyo Polytechnic Institute, Iowa State University, and
ABS Consulting.
Students are given many opportunities to present their internship and dissertation
research. Students are required to give a seminar highlighting their internship experience once
they have returned to Texas Tech. In addition, students have been able to share their research
and internship experiences by participating in national and regional conferences, including the
following: Workshop for Uniform Windstorm Damage Documentation Methodology, ASME
Wind Power Symposium, Graduate School Fair at University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez,
American Wind Energy Association Wind Power Finance and Investment Workshop and annual
conference, American Meteorological Society Severe Local Storms Conference, the ESRI
Homeland Security and GIS Conference, and American Association for Wind Engineering
Workshop and Americas Conference. Students also are also required to participate in weekly
“Brown Bag” lunch seminars, where students, faculty, and visiting scholars are invited to present
their research.
A Masters degree is not required to pursue this doctoral degree, though it is preferred.
Students without a Masters degree are required to take six courses in a traditional discipline, (e.g.
atmospheric sciences, civil or mechanical engineering, mathematics, economics, etc.) These
courses in a traditional discipline provide a focus to make students viable for the job market.
Students are admitted to doctoral candidacy to pursue independent research by the
graduate school upon completion of qualifying examination. Doctoral dissertation is guided by
the Chair or co-Chairs of the student’s advisory committees. Faculty members from at least two
departments are required to be represented on the doctoral committee of each student.
Multidisciplinary research for each dissertation is part of the requirement. The program has
produced ten graduates with Ph.D. degrees in Wind Science and Engineering as of May 2009.
Currently, sixteen students are pursuing doctoral degrees; of these, four of them are doing
research in the field of wind energy while some of them have not yet decided their field of
research.
Dissertation Research
Dissertation research topics have a wide variety, though they are all related to wind. The
ten graduates completed dissertations of following titles:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Remote-sensing applications to windstorm damage assessment
Probabilistic damage and loss modeling for metal roof using artificial neural
network
Risk Assessment Model for Wind-Induced Fatigue Failure of Cantilever Traffic
Signal Structures
Wind Power Systems in the Stable Nocturnal Boundary Layer
Design and Control of an Integrated Wind-Water Desalination System for an
Inland Municipality
Modeling of Low-Level Jets Over the Great Plains: Implications for Wind Energy
Wind Directionality: A Reliability-Based Approach
An Analysis of Hazard Mitigation Planning Policy in Local and Regional
Government
•
•
Economic Analysis of the Tornado Impact upon Two Communities
The Effect of Geographic Features on the Wind Field in Landfalling Hurricanes
These titles show that research is pursued in virtually all aspects of wind problems. As our wind
energy faculty strengthens, more research in wind energy is likely to take place.
Life After Graduation:
The graduates from this program have been in high demand from the companies. They
have been employed in a combination of professional market including consulting companies,
academic institution, and governmental agencies. Table 3 shows employment locations and titles
of the graduates. None of the individuals have changed their employment.
Table 3: Place of Employment of Graduates
Name
James Arn Womble
Graduation Date
2005
Job Title/Position
Instructor, Wind
Engineering Consultant
Dabral Apoorv
2007
Hector Cruzado
2007
Kevin Walter
2007
Brandon Storm
2008
Civil Engineer/metal
frame structures
Assistant professor, Civil
Engineering
Wind Energy, Chief of
Meteorology
Wind Energy Analyst
Rolando Vega
2008
Maribel Martinez
2009
Andrea GamretJackman
Rebecca PaulsenEdwards
2009
2009
Place of Employment
Texas Tech University
and independent
consultant
Eqecat, San Diego, CA
Polytechnic University
of Puerto Rico (PUPR)
Trade Wind Energy,
Overland Park, KS
EAPC, Grand Forks,
ND
ABS Consulting, San
Antonio, TX
Group Lead Engineer in
the Extreme Loads and
Structural Risk Division
Assistant Emergency
Office of Emergency
Management Coordinator Management for
Amarillo/Potter/Randall
Counties, Texas
Senior Consultant
FEMA and IBM,
Fairfax, VA
Available
N/A
Observations from our Experiences:
The curriculum development of the Ph.D. degree program started in 2003 with the
assistance of the NSF IGERT grant. It took several years to formulate the program where it can
be proposed for a degree program and can withstand the scrutiny of various academic
committees in several colleges. The Texas Coordinating Board approved the degree program in
July 2007. The program has had success in recruiting students who are passionate about wind.
They have worked as a group and find the degree program suitable to their need. Being a new
multidisciplinary program, it has had growing problems. Some of the difficulties encountered
along the way are indicated here for potential use by others who may be envisioning establishing
a new doctoral degree program.
•
•
•
•
Faculty members participating in the Ph.D. degree program feel the strain of
overload. Active faculty members have their normal load of graduate students and
course teaching in their home departments. Adding Ph.D. students from WISE degree
program often is a burden to some faculty members.
The experiences of the initial years of curriculum development suggested that some
basic courses need to be developed to bring students with different backgrounds to at
some basic level of understanding of disciplines. Resources for course development
are not available. This is an example of overload on faculty members.
There have been some difficulties in connecting students with faculty for direction of
dissertation research. Students are drawn to faculty who teach the basic courses,
which are limited in number.
NSF IGERT funding provided resources for student fellowship stipends, tuition and
fees, and student travel to conferences. With the end of NSF funding, it is difficult to
fund students while they are pursuing Ph.D. degree. Mechanisms need to be
developed to fund students on a long-term basis.
Notwithstanding the above observations, the Ph.D. degree program will pay high
dividends for the university, the State, and the country.
CONCLUDING REMARKS:
Wind is a natural environment that will be present forever. To tap the beneficial effects of
producing energy from wind , it is necessary to develop academic programs that will produce
workforce for industry, government agencies, research laboratories, and academic institutions.
Recognizing that wind energy is a complex endeavor, interdisciplinary academic programs are
necessary. Texas Tech University is making a commitment to develop such programs. The Ph.D.
degree in Wind Science and Engineering is in place and is thriving. A Bachelor of Science
degree with the focus on Wind Energy is being developed. It will take a few years for the
program to mature and be established on a permanent basis.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Academic degree programs are developed with the assistance from many faculty and
departments. The administration of Texas Tech University has helped along the way in
encouraging and providing resources when needed. The doctoral degree program was scrutinized
by several internal academic committees as well as by external advisors; their comments and
contributions are appreciated. The National Science Foundation Grant 0221688 and the Texas
Workforce Commission grant provided financial resources to attract students for the program
and faculty to develop the programs; their contribution is acknowledged. Manuscript of this
paper was assembled by Ms. Elizabeth Inskip-Paulk and Ms. Kelsey Seger; their assistance is
appreciated by the authors.
Reference:
[1] DOE (2008): 20% Wind Energy by 2030, Increasing Wind energy’s Contribution to U.S.
Electricity Supply, DOE/GO-102008-2567, July 2008; available at http://www.osti.gov/bridge;
Internet; accessed May 25 2009.