If you have any questions regarding the application process for this program, please email masters_admissions@brown.edu.

The core of the Sc.M. in Sustainable Energy includes three required courses. One of these is structured as two mini-courses, each being a one-half-credit module. Together, these three courses aim to condense a large body of cross-disciplinary material into a cohesive foundation for would-be practitioners. 

• Sustainable Energy Science and Technology - Students learn the fundamental thermodynamics of energy conversions, as well as the tools to analyze energy technologies. The course covers the basic science of greenhouse-gas induced climate change, and analysis of energy technologies in terms of the trade-offs involved in emissions, cost, scalability, land use, and resource ability.
• Policy and Economics of Energy Transitions (½-credit course) - provides an intensive overview of the policy and economic processes involved in the clean energy transition, with examples drawn from the U.S. as well as the world.
• Energy and Climate Systems Modeling (½-credit course) - examines global energy systems from a variety of technological and economic perspectives: technological transitions, renewable energy markets, climate science, and the complex relationship between energy consumption and climate change negotiations.
• Electrification and Decarbonization - Students learn the fundamentals of the electrical grid in the U.S., including its history, ownership and regulatory structure, physics, and economics. The emphasis is on how the traditional and risk-averse focus on reliability and low cost can evolve in the decarbonization transition, expanding to target a smarter, more resilient, and more equitable set of societal goods. 

There is no capstone or thesis requirement. For their remaining five courses in the 1-year / eight-credit program, students shall select one focus area consisting of at least three related courses, with the remaining courses being free electives. Please note that not all courses are available each semester. Please consult the University Bulletin for the most current offerings and requirements.

Graduate Tuition & Fees

Please visit the Office of Student Financial Services for up-to-date tuition rates.

Brown’s master’s in sustainable energy takes an interdisciplinary approach to the energy transition, combining energy systems, renewable energy, technology, policy and economics. The program prepares students to understand and advance clean energy solutions while addressing the complex challenges of decarbonization and climate change.

Brown’s master’s in sustainable energy prepares graduates for roles in renewable energy, electrification, decarbonization and climate mitigation, including careers as staff scientists, program managers, R&D analysts and policy leads. The program also provides a foundation for students considering Ph.D. studies in engineering, physical sciences or environmental studies.

You’ll develop an integrated understanding of energy systems across climate science, engineering and technology, policy, economics and sustainability. You’ll also gain experience with energy system analysis, simulation, modeling and planning, while developing focused expertise in an area of sustainable energy related to decarbonization.

A master’s in sustainable energy focuses specifically on energy systems, including sustainable energy technology, energy policy and economics, electrification and decarbonization. Brown’s program provides an interdisciplinary foundation for understanding and advancing the transition to a decarbonized energy future, while a sustainability master’s may address a broader range of environmental, social and economic challenges.

You can specialize in one of three areas: energy generation and power systems, materials for energy applications, or the policy and economic dimensions of energy and the environment, including climate change. Each focus area requires at least three related courses.

Brown’s master’s in sustainable energy is designed for technically and scientifically literate practitioners who want to work across disciplines to advance sustainable energy systems and contribute to electrification and decarbonization. The program integrates science, engineering, policy, economics and business.