Capstone
Capstone Course
Based on recommendations from students in the Energy Studies Minor (ESM), the capstone course is divided into two half-credit seminar courses, ENER 37003 and ENER 37004. The first course is taken after joining the minor and the second course is taken during senior year. The main goal of the capstone course is to form a network of students from a wide range of majors who are passionate about energy and climate topics. Students choose discussion topics and engage in energy-related experiences that are shared with classmates in a conversational setting.
Experiences
Pre-approved experiences are an important part of the capstone course. Below are some examples of experiences that students presented over the past few years.
- Internships with National Grid, NextEra, S&C Electric Company, Ballard-Traylor Joint Venture, Rheem, CME Group, Walbridge, Continental Energy Services, Burns and McDonnell, The Strategic Agency, Connectit; Crossroads Solar, DAT Freight and Analytics, PGIM Fixed Income, Chevron, J.P.Morgan, Valero
- Research in Notre Dame laboratories on solar cells, batteries, membranes, 2-D IR Spectroscopy, polymers, fuel cells, nuclear reactions, catalysis, wastewater
- Projects through the Center for Civic Innovation (CCI) on community solar policy analysis, housing policy, ND-GAIN, tree canopy, and energy audits
- Trips with the Center for Social Concerns (CSC) to Appalachia and Washington, DC
- Trip to Puerto Rico with ND Energy (ENER 37002)
- National competitions in geothermal and solar energy
- Research at U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories located in Idaho and Colorado
- Personal experiences- solarizing the family business; tracking the carbon footprint of the ND football team; food waste in the produce industry; hockey and climate change; geothermal in New Zealand
For questions and additional details, please contact Anne Berges Pillai.