UW Trustees Approve New Certificate Programs in Carbon Capture, Land Administration

The University of Wyoming will offer two new certificate programs to equip current students and working professionals in the evolving energy landscape.

Approved by the UW Board of Trustees during its November meeting, the School of Energy Resources (SER), in collaboration with other colleges and schools across campus, will launch a new undergraduate certificate program in carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) and a land administration undergraduate certificate program.

Both certificates will provide students and industry workers with the skills to take on new challenges, make an impact on global decarbonization efforts, and advance their careers.

“Wyoming is a recognized leader in CCUS, with over two decades of established research as well as the supporting policy and infrastructure,” says SER Executive Director Holly Krutka. “SER and our partners throughout Wyoming have been -- and remain to be -- at the forefront of this new and exciting technology and, as such, it is only natural to leverage UW’s expertise to offer a multidisciplinary certificate on the subject.”

The certificate includes a comprehensive cross-section of disciplines covering the technology, economics and policy of CCUS, and it is designed for a broad, multidisciplinary audience with an interest in energy, sustainability and climate change mitigation.

“We are only the second school in the country to offer a certificate program in CCUS,” says SER Academic Director Kami Danaei. “There has been a significant increase in interest surrounding CCUS, and we know that it will play an important role in reaching net-zero goals and emissions mitigation. We are prepared to meet that growing demand through our robust curriculum, and we will provide flexible, high-quality experiences for current and nontraditional students seeking a new credential.”

SER currently offers multiple CCUS courses in collaboration with the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences that will feature prominently in the certificate program. Students are able to study, this fall, the current engineering problems that are applicable to CCUS, as well as gain a familiarity and a working knowledge of geological concepts, models of the subsurface, engineering of fluids and flow, policy and regulations related to CO2 emissions, pore-volume use, injection, monitoring and safety.

“We are proud of the courses that we are offering in CCUS,” Danaei says. “We know that we have exceptional faculty housed in multiple departments across campus who have dedicated their research to carbon management, as well as our SER research team that is actually applying its expertise in the field. Students are benefiting from their knowledge on the ground floor and will be miles ahead of their counterparts when it comes to implementing carbon storage technologies.”

Through the new land administration certificate program, students will become knowledgeable leaders in the complex role energy, natural resources and agriculture play in land administration. The certificate complements the existing degree program in energy resources management, enhances any other degree offered at UW, and can help bolster credentials and knowledge of working professionals.

Land management involves overseeing the use, conservation and allocation of natural spaces for public or private projects and, as such, land management processes are an important part of conservation efforts, government policies and energy production. The curriculum offers both a philosophical and functional view that is applicable to a wide range of careers, with courses from SER, the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources, and the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources.

“Solving natural resource and land challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach, which this certificate offers,” Danaei says. “With a changing energy mix, there are complex land management issues, and professionals need a broad understanding of key elements affecting environments and the relationships among land, agriculture, energy and people. This certificate program is especially useful for students and professionals working on the technical side of land projects, as it provides a holistic assessment of the underlying issues in successful land negotiations.”

Both certificates are designed for working professionals or students currently seeking credentials and can be completed online synchronously or in person. They will be available beginning in fall 2023.

To learn more about the certificates, email UW’s SER at seracad@uwyo.edu.