Course Description
Energy Fundamentals for the Practicing Engineer is a non-credit, self-paced online course designed to introduce learners to the core principles of renewable and sustainable energy systems. It is designed to give a practical engineering understanding of how energy is analyzed, transferred, and applied in real-world systems.
The course is organized into three separate learning lectures that may be taken individually or as a complete series.
Lecture 1: Thermodynamics and Energy
Lecture 2: Heat Transfer
Lecture 3: Modeling and Analysis of Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Learning Objectives
The course will take about 6 hours to complete. At the completion of this course, learners will be able to:
- Explain the core differences between thermodynamics and heat transfer in energy system applications.
- Apply fundamental physics-based principles to analyze renewable and sustainable energy systems.
- Use thermodynamic and heat transfer concepts to evaluate energy performance and behavior.
- Develop a basic understanding of modeling approaches for solar, wind, hydropower, and nuclear energy systems.
- Connect engineering fundamentals to practical energy challenges in modern sustainable systems.
Self Assessment Quizzes
There are module assessment questions throughout the course to help students review important concepts in thermodynamics, renewable and sustainable energy, nuclear energy, and heat transfer. These assessments are intended to support learning and help students check their understanding of the material covered in each section.
Final Exam
The exam will be located in the "Final Exam" folder which you can find in the menu on the left of this screen. Passing the final exam with a grade of 70% or above is required to receive a course completion certificate from 91社区.
Credentials
This is a non-credit course but a Sustainability digital skills badge and a course completion certificate is available at no charge if you pass the final exam with a score of 70% or higher.
COURSE FEES:
- $250: Industry
- $150: Alumni
- $95: Student
- $50: Retake Fee
Pricing shown on this webpage does not include payment processing fees
Instructor
John Fillo is a Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science professor emeritus in Mechanical Engineering.
He graduated with a PhD in mechanical engineering from Syracuse University and taught at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst and the University of Texas - EL Paso. He later worked at the Brookhaven National Laboratory for 10 years in the area of fusion energy research.
After leaving Brookhaven, Fillo became the founding chairman of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in Watson College. This was followed by appointments as the associate dean for research and the associate dean for academic affairs.
After serving as chairman for the Department of Bioengineering, Fillo is now associated with the ES2 Data Center research group. He continues to teach in the energy area and develops courses in continuing education.