UW-Platteville to offer renewable energy minor

From a press release issued by the UW-Platteville:

PLATTEVILLE - Faculty from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville have been working on the development of a renewable energy minor. Renewable energy encompasses energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydrogen, bio-fuels and bio-products. A minor in renewable energy is applicable to any major field of study at UWP including agriculture, engineering, business and political science.

In December 2006, UWP administration, faculty and a number of Wisconsin companies met to discuss Wisconsin's future energy needs. At this meeting, it was determined that UWP has a strong interest in alternative energy and bio-products.

In 2007, a Renewable Energy Council was formed by chair, MesutMuslu, electrical engineering; Chris Baxter, School of Agriculture; Charles Knox, industrial studies; John Iselin, mechanical engineering; Mike Dalecki, social science; Rami Reddy, agriculture; and Tim Zauche, chemistry. The council's purpose is to address the university's interest in alternative energy and bio-products, or renewable energy.

The council recommended that a university-wide renewable energy minor be established at UWP. The minor will be open to students in all majors wishing to seek credit with an interest in renewable energy. The minor will be a standard 24 credit minor, with nine core credits and 15 elective credits.