Course Description

This two-term course series examines a set of emerging concepts, technologies, applications and business models, and the complex trade-off decisions related to transforming the nation’s century-old, centralized power grid into a climate and renewable-energy-friendly “Smart Grid.” 
The course series stresses a cross-disciplinary approach, deepening individual areas of expertise in the context of teamwork. The first term establishes a basic Smart Grid literacy, while the second term applies this knowledge base to specific case studies. Both terms include lectures, active learning strategies, individual and group projects, class presentations from guest speakers and seminar participants, and field trips. The series closes with a small public forum during which student teams will present their recommendations to a select group of community leaders.

What You Cover

Since the development of the smart grid is moving at a rapid pace, much of the course content will be new. However, other course features that have been so successful in the past will remain. For example, we will continue to:

• Design this course to meet the needs of two critical audiences:
  • Graduate students in engineering, information technology, public administration/policy, urban planning, business, economics, law, and related fields
  • Current and emerging leaders from the utility, information technology, public administration, architecture, urban and transportation planning, business, legal, and related communities who are interested in getting quickly up to speed on the smart grid as a part of their professional development.
• Use a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary team of faculty members and guest speakers that have both the academic background and substantive knowledge to teach this “cutting edge” course.
• Adopt a cross-disciplinary approach to the subject that deepens individual areas of expertise within the context of teamwork. We are convinced that an ability to communicate across traditional disciplines is critical to the successful development of the smart grid.  It is also a skill that is highly valued by employers interested in positioning their companies for a successful future.

The detailed plan and syllabus for the 2015 course series are under development. However, the preliminary plan is available on the website, along with faculty bios, registration information, and the syllabi from the 2013 courses.

Notes

For additional Registration Information please click here.

To request an invoice for payment or batch register multiple participants please email: learn@pdx.edu or call 503-725-4184

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