Education
Certificate and Training Programs
Our certificate and training programs equip students and UConn professionals to lead in a rapidly evolving energy and environmental landscape. Designed to complement academic degrees or support continuing education, these flexible programs blend cutting-edge science, policy, technology, and real-world application.
Certificates
UConn’s certificate programs develop advanced specialization in specific areas that cross traditional disciplines, such as power grid modernization.
Power Grid Modernization
The Power Grid Modernization certificate (12 credits) is a fully online (both synchronous and asynchronous coursework) offered by the Eversource Energy Center. The certificate covers several key areas of grid modernization including the fundamental structure of the physical grid, how data is processed, communication systems, and control systems and infrastructure for managing systems.
Certificate students apply and are admitted to the UConn Graduate School. The 12 graduate credits earned within the certificate can be applied towards a Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degree.
"In today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, engineers play a critical role in overcoming challenges such as integrating renewables, ensuring resilience, and enhancing grid security. This certificate bridges the gap between industry demands and technical expertise, and prepares professionals to lead the charge in modernizing the power grid.” –Dr. Zongjie Wang, Associate Director, Eversource Energy Center
Undergraduate Students
Hands-on opportunities to build your knowledge and skills in energy and environment through internships, research grants, work-study, and other campus and community-based programs. Whether you're interested in climate science, renewable energy, policy, or environmental justice, there's a path for you to get involved.
UConn@COP Fellowship Program
The UConn@COP Fellowship Program from the Office of Sustainability strives to build future leaders in climate science and policy and to promote UConn’s leadership on climate change and sustainability issues by sending a cohort of undergraduate and graduate students to the UN’s COP climate change summit each year. Through this program, UConn students have participated on panels at international press conferences, networked with global NGO's, environmentally-minded businesses & renewable energy companies, engaged in immersive art exhibitions, attended film screenings put on by the directors themselves, interacted with international delegates and core members of environmental justice movements, and connected with like-minded, passionate students at other colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the world. Donations made to the UConn@COP Fund cover the travel and conference expenses for all student travelers.
Environmental and Social Sustainability Grants
The Environmental and Social Sustainability Grants (ESSG) Program (Office of Sustainability) supports student-faculty projects that enhance environmental sustainability and campus-wide engagement with sustainability issues at UConn and in CT communities through research, authentic community engagement, campus operations, or education. Projects must address both environmental and social sustainability challenges. Awards up to $10,000 per applicant.
Sustainability Internships
The OS employs dozens of undergraduate and graduate students through four unique internship programs to provide support on strategic sustainability initiatives ranging from communications, outreach, and education, to best practice research, and sustainability reporting.
EcoMadness & Recyclethon
EcoMadness is a month-long competition between residence halls, held in Oct. every year, to educate students on strategies for reducing personal energy and water consumption while improving recycling behaviors. Recyclethon is a month-long competition held in Feb. every year between residence halls to educate students on zero waste strategies while improving recycling behaviors.
Mobile Lab Technical Support
CESE staff just recently completed a grant with the CT DEEP to provide technical support to their mobile analytical laboratory and field analytical personnel. CESE provided training to CT DEEP staff in analytical quality control, development of standard operating procedure, and the operation of their Griffin Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer and associated field analytical equipment.
Independent Study with CESE (CHEM 3199)
CESE, through the Department of Chemistry, offers an Independent Study for up to 5 students a semester, developing and conducting timely and relevant small-scale research projects in environmental analytical chemistry. These students acquire skills in quality assurance/quality control, sample preparation and analysis, and data evaluation and assessment. Each student will develop and present a poster or PowerPoint highlighting their project.
Student Employment/Work Study with CESE
CESE laboratories employ up to 8 students per semester as laboratory assistants. These students obtain initial training in proper analytical chemistry techniques, chain of custody, quality assurance, and standard operating procedures. As their skills develop, they will be trained in more advanced tasks such as data entry and translation as well as instrument operations.
Graduate Students
Graduate students can deepen their expertise and grow as leaders with international experiences, interdisciplinary collaborations, and employment opportunities. Opportunities are available to advance your scholarship, expand your global perspective, and make a meaningful impact on urgent environmental and energy challenges.
UConn@COP Fellowship Program
The UConn@COP Fellowship Program from the Office of Sustainability strives to build future leaders in climate science and policy and to promote UConn’s leadership on climate change and sustainability issues by sending a cohort of undergraduate and graduate students to the UN’s COP climate change summit each year. Through this program, UConn students have participated on panels at international press conferences, networked with global NGO's, environmentally-minded businesses & renewable energy companies, engaged in immersive art exhibitions, attended film screenings put on by the directors themselves, interacted with international delegates and core members of environmental justice movements, and connected with like-minded, passionate students at other colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the world. Donations made to the UConn@COP Fund cover the travel and conference expenses for all student travelers.
Mobile Lab Technical Support
CESE staff just recently completed a grant with the CT DEEP to provide technical support to their mobile analytical laboratory and field analytical personnel. CESE provided training to CT DEEP staff in analytical quality control, development of standard operating procedure, and the operation of their Griffin Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer and associated field analytical equipment.
Student Employment/Work Study with CESE
CESE laboratories employ up to 8 students per semester as laboratory assistants. These students obtain initial training in proper analytical chemistry techniques, chain of custody, quality assurance, and standard operating procedures. As their skills develop, they will be trained in more advanced tasks such as data entry and translation as well as instrument operations.