Energy Business and Finance, Minor

Program Code: EBF_UMNR

Program Description

The minor in Energy, Business and Finance is an offering of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. The minor introduces students to financial, investment, and management concepts applied to private sector organizations whose operation emphasizes the Earth and its environment, the energy and mineral industries, or the development of new and enhanced materials. The minor focuses on the leadership and information strategies characteristic of enterprises that are succeeding in a rapidly integrating global economy.

The minor provides science and engineering students an introduction to basic entrepreneurial and business concepts to help prepare them for success in a changing professional environment. It also provides other Penn State students an opportunity to focus on business strategies in the Earth resources, environmental, and materials industries. A minimum of 27 credits is required for the minor. A student enrolled in this minor must receive a grade C or better in all courses in the minor. Advising is available through the EMS Student Center (14 Deike Building) or the professor in charge.

What is Energy Business and Finance?

The solutions to society's existing and emerging energy challenges require interdisciplinary approaches integrating economics and business with the technical knowledge of energy systems and implications for our environment. That's where energy business and finance experts come in. The minor in Energy Business and Finance provides an introduction to the major energy commodity markets, basic energy sciences and the tools for analyzing business decisions that companies in the energy sector make.  It is designed to complement technical training for students interested in working in energy-related fields or for students who just want to learn more about global energy markets.

You Might Like This Program If...

  • You want to work in the energy sector.
  • You enjoy analytical thinking and complex problem solving.
  • You are majoring in a STEM field with an eye on the energy sector, and want to broaden your education to include the study of economics, business and energy markets.

Program Requirements

Requirement Credits
Requirements for the Minor 27-29

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EBF 200Introduction to Energy and Earth Sciences Economics Keystone/General Education Course3
EBF 301Global Finance for the Earth, Energy, and Materials Industries3
ECON 102Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy Keystone/General Education Course3
EME 460Geo-resource Evaluation and Investment Analysis3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
Select 3-4 credits from:3-4
College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II Keystone/General Education Course
Techniques of Calculus I Keystone/General Education Course
Calculus With Analytic Geometry I Keystone/General Education Course
Select 3-4 credits from:3-4
Quantitative Analysis in Earth Sciences
Elementary Statistics Keystone/General Education Course
Experimental Methods
Select 3 credits of the following:3
Energy and the Environment Keystone/General Education Course
Energy Conservation for Environmental Protection Keystone/General Education Course
Oil: International Evolution Keystone/General Education Course
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better
Select 6 credits from the approved list of EMS courses. Approved courses are:6
Strategic Corporate Finance for the Earth, Energy, and Materials Industries
Energy Law and Contracts
Risk Management in Energy Industries
Introduction to Electricity Markets
Energy Economics
Energy in a Changing World
Global Energy Enterprise
Geography of the Global Economy
Human Use of Environment
Geography of Water Resources
Energy Policy
Resource Governance in Africa
Energy Industry Applications of GIS
Natural Disasters
Geology of Oil and Gas
Application of Computers to Meteorology

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Zhen Lei
Program Chair, Energy Business and Finance
125 Hosler Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-0810
zxl26@psu.edu

Molly Hanna
Academic Adviser
101 Hosler Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-8475
mkn6@psu.edu

World Campus

Undergraduate Academic Advising
301 Outreach Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-3283
advising@outreach.psu.edu

Contact

University Park

JOHN AND WILLIE LEONE FAMILY DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND MINERAL ENGINEERING
113 Hosler Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-3437
eme@ems.psu.edu

https://www.eme.psu.edu

World Campus

JOHN AND WILLIE LEONE FAMILY DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND MINERAL ENGINEERING
115 Hosler Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-7597
info@ebf.psu.edu

https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/penn-state-online-energy-business-and-finance-minor