About
The Master of Science in Technology program is housed in Appalachian’s Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment. The program focuses on sustainable technological development within the broad areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, high-performance buildings and related topics. Graduates are prepared for careers in fields such as renewable energy research and development; building sciences, including building energy efficiency; sustainability policy development and implementation; energy consulting; and/or for continuing education at the doctoral level.
Students in the graduate program have the opportunity to develop expertise in relation to specific concentration areas. The program has four concentrations from which to choose:
- Appropriate Technology – Focuses on development and use of sustainable or “green” technologies, with an emphasis on renewable energy systems. The program is widely recognized for the contributions made by faculty and students in the arena of energy research, energy policy, and other sustainable waste and resource management technologies.
- Building Science – Recognized for its emphasis on energy efficient building design, construction and testing, as well as on use of alternative building materials. This concentration focuses on efficient building systems and the relationship between buildings and occupant comfort and health, as well as on developing students’ project management capabilities.
- Sustainable Design and Construction – Designed for individuals with backgrounds in architecture, engineering, construction science/management, interior design, or related fields who are interested in the integrative design process. The program includes a strong technical emphasis on design and construction of buildings and systems that are net-zero energy. Students will engage in a multi-semester design-build project.
- Renewable Energy Engineering – Designed for individuals with undergraduate degrees in engineering or the physical sciences who are interested in a program with a strong technical emphasis on renewable energy system design, monitoring and analysis.
Emphasis at the graduate level includes research, leadership and analytical skill development. The program takes a team-based, problem-solving approach, and a variety of field-based experiences can be integrated into the graduate program of study.
People
Courses
Course titles and information can be found in the Graduate Bulletin at these links:
Application Essentials
Required Entrance Exam: GRE (score must be no more than 5 years old)
Required number of references to specify in the online form: 3
Supplemental Information: Resume (Required upload for application submission); written statement of goals. (upload on the Additional Information page in the online application).
Basic Conditions for Consideration of Admission: Meeting or exceeding the conditions below does NOT guarantee admission. All applications for a given entry term will be weighed based upon the number of seats available and the quality of the complete application packages. With special permission from the Graduate School, a program may admit a limited number of students with exceptional circumstances who do not meet the graduate school minimums.
Graduate School: 3.0 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores from the appropriate admission test(s), OR 2.5 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores at the 25th percentile level from the appropriate admission test(s).
Admission to Technology: Both qualitative and quantitative aspects of applications are reviewed in comparison to the current applicant pool.
Employers
- Schneider Electric
- North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association
- Cypress Creek Renewables
- Strata Solar
- Duke Energy
- Steven Winter Associates
- Western Carolina University
- Alaska Center for Energy and Power
- U.S. Department of Energy
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Lowe’s Home Improvement
- ICF International
- North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance
- Peace Corps
- Sigora Solar
- Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Application Deadlines
- Spring: 11/1
- Summer Session 1: x
- Summer Session 2: x
- Fall: 7/1 (3/1)
*See full deadline information below under Application Essentials.
Why Appalachian?
Across all four concentrations, distinguishing features of this program include:
- Emphasis on application: You will develop and use technologies that provide solutions for sustainable development that are readily adoptable by individuals and communities.
- Opportunities for hands-on engagement: Through projects, field-based research and collaboration with community partners, you will gain first-hand experience with the design, construction and testing of sustainable technologies.
- Use of integrative design practices: Program experiences mirror the kinds of engagement you will have working as members of professional teams.
- Long-term engagement with sustainability: The MS in Technology program has a 35-year history of work in the area of sustainable development.
In addition:
- All graduate programs at Appalachian have small class sizes, providing intimate classroom interaction.
- The School of Graduate Studies offers scholarships, fellowships and assistantships to support eligible, full-time, degree-seeking students.
Method of Delivery
On campus
Careers
- Business owner and president
- Research engineer
- Project engineer
- Energy manager
- Solar designer/engineer
- Energy advisor
- Policy analyst
- Sustainability director
- Legislative assistant
- Executive director
- Senior consultant
- Professor
- Peace Corps volunteer
- Energy analyst
- Energy modeler
- PhD candidate
Contacts
Dr. Marie Hoepfl
Program Director
hoepflmc@appstate.edu
828-262-3122
Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment