The Southern

CARBONDALE - A new degree focused on energy and fuels management at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is the first of its kind in the nation and meant to train students in the fields of emerging and renewable energy.

The professional science master's in advanced energy and fuels management proposed by the university is under review by the Illinois Board of Higher Education but already has financial funding from a $428,000 federal grant to help develop a curriculum and pay a part-time director for the program.

The program is meant to train students with backgrounds in science, technology, agriculture and engineering to apply some of their theory to real-world management situations.

David Wilson, associate dean and director of the SIUC Graduate School, said he expects the program to attract high-quality students and get attention from industry officials.

"This program will equip students with practical training to prepare them to work in the energy industry," Wilson said. We're looking at work force needs, and what industry really needs are managers and people who understand how to work with technology."

In its proposed form, the program is one year with a capstone internship. Participants would also be taking business courses in addition to energy-related courses, Wilson said.

The main focus of the program would be to examine technology pertaining to emerging, sustainable, renewable and alternative energy sources, said John Mead, director of SIUC's Coal Research Center.

University officials expect the state board of higher education to approve the program in June.

- University Communications contributed information for this report.