Materials Engineering Education in Two New Engineering Degree Programs at the Centre for Photovoltaic Engineering
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Materials Engineering Education in Two New Engineering Degree Programs at the Centre for Photovoltaic Engineering R. Corkish, S.R. Wenham, J. Cotter, A.B. Sproul, A.G. Aberle, A. Bruce and M.A. Green, Centre for Photovoltaic Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia ABSTRACT The establishment, in 2000 and 2003, of new degree programs in Photovoltaics and Solar Energy Engineering and Renewable Energy Engineering at the Centre for Photovoltaic Engineering at the University of New South Wales, Sydney was in response to predictions, now being fulfilled, of dramatic global market and employment growth. They were developed by the well established photovoltaics research group at UNSW that has produced many important advances, including two commercially important solar cell technologies. Materials-related education in these programs are mainly focussed on the photovoltaic aspects, including study of the fundamental optical, electronic, phononic and excitonic properties of silicon, crystal structure, semiconductor properties, doping and contacts. Cell manufacturing is taught in detail, including by the use of an interactive virtual production line. Practical projects, taking advantage of a large and active research group, are one of the most important and effective educational tools in both these programs. The Centre also administers postgraduate coursework and research programs. INTRODUCTION The photovoltaics and other renewable energy industries are growing at over 30% per year (67% in 2004), driven by a mix of environmental, resource depletion and global security concerns, especially in Asia and Europe. The establishment, in 2000 and 2003, of new degree programs in Photovoltaics and Solar Energy Engineering and Renewable Energy Engineering at the Centre for Photovoltaic Engineering at the University of New South Wales, Sydney was in response to predictions of such dramatic global market and employment growth. They were developed by the well established photovoltaics research group at UNSW that has produced many important advances, including two commercially important solar cell technologies. A related postgraduate coursework program is offered, complementing the research training programs that have been in place for decades. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS Educational programs offered by the Centre for Photovoltaic Engineering comprise two fouryear undergraduate engineering degrees, related combined degree programs with Commerce, Science and Arts, a one-year Master of Engineering Science (by coursework or by coursework and research), Master of Philosophy (coursework and research), and Masters and PhD by research. Further information on all programs is available through the Centre’s web site [1].
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Figure 1. Award by the Minister for Energy, Utilities and Sustainability of a 2004 Energy and water Green Globe Award for the creation of the first specialist engineering degree program in photovoltaics and solar energy. Photovoltaics and Solar Energy Engineering This undergradu
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