Energy Transition

Energy transition and conversion to renewable energy resources is an important research field for the University of Bergen, based on the UN's 7th sustainability goal: Ensuring access to reliable, sustainable and modern energy at an affordable price. Climate and energy transitions intervene in all areas of society and raise a number of challenges across climate science, technology, psychology, law and economics, among others.

Our online course will provide an introduction to energy transition and renewable energy resources and an understanding of the most important interdisciplinary challenges:

• What are the most important drivers that motivate energy transition?
• What technological possibilities do we have?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of different sustainable energy resources?
• What are the main challenges and what are the possible consequences?

The course is 100% online via UiB's learning platform called Mitt UiB. 

The course will run twice Autumn 2024. The first round runs from September to the end of November, open for registration for anyone interested, by the principle of first come, first served (see general admission requirements below). We have a total of 100 study places. 

In December, we will start a new round, which will primarily be aimed at employees in the financial industry. More information will come in September. 

Content

The course has an interdisciplinary approach and draws resources from disciplines such as earth science, climate science, biology, physics, social science, law, psychology, nanotechnology, ethics, rhetoric and economics.

The first part of the course deals with drivers and motivational factors for the transition to a low-carbon society, such as climate change and the need for clean and sustainable energy supply globally.

The second part of the course focuses on the scientific, technological and societal aspects of various sustainable/renewable energy resources, such as geothermal energy, offshore wind, solar power, hydropower, mineral extraction, as well as the storage, capture and utilization of CO_2.

How is the course organized?

The course is 100% online and runs over a period of 10-12 weeks.

The teaching consists of 20 online lessons of 2 hours each, which you can follow when it suits you. In addition, there will be 3 joint teaching sessions in real time. 

The course ends with a digital multiple-choice exam that you complete from home, within the exam periods specified below.

1st course run: September - November

All times are in GMT/Norwegian time.

2nd course run: December - February

Admission requirements

If you are under 25 years of age, you must attach documentation of general study skills when you register your application. If you are above 25 years of age, it is not necessary to document either education nor vocational experience.

It is otherwise an advantage to have basic knowledge in the natural sciences, but this is not a requirement. You will get the necessary introduction to the relevant field during the course. 

NOTE: 

A new paragraph in the Norwegian higher education act requires that students from countries outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland will have to pay full tuition fee if they wish to be enrolled into a course or study program in Norwegian higher education institutions. 

Tuition fee for online courses like SDG 607 have not yet been calculated and we will therefore not be able to admit applicants with citizenship from the mentioned countries, unless you fulfil one of the exceptions listed here