Texas Wind Energy Institute

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What connections does this program have with the wind power industry?

Please visit our Wind Energy Links page.

What are the skills and experiences this program will give me to succeed in the industry?

The educational objectives of the program are to provide graduates with the broad education necessary to pursue studies and solve problems related to the detrimental effects of windstorms (hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms, and others) and to take advantage of the wind's beneficial effects (wind power, natural ventilation, pollution dispersion, etc.). We're focused on education and committed to producing quality graduates that improve people's everyday lives.

What is Certificate I?

Certification I is offered on a semester basis. If you chose to take the course online, it will be 16 weeks online and an additional six weeks face-to-face in Sweetwater. You may also choose to take the course at the Sweetwater location. This option is 32 weeks (2 semesters) of instruction. There are no requirements for an electrical, mechanical or hydraulic background. Certification I will equip students with the training they need to feel prepared to enter into a diverse workforce, not necessarily in wind.

What is Certificate II?

Certification II is offered every semester (Three semesters per year - fall, spring and summer). The online courses for Certificate I will carry over to Certificate II. However, most Certification II individuals will take the courses at the Sweetwater location.

What is the Dual Credit Program?

Dual credit will be offered beginning fall 2009. We have established a Memorandum of Understanding with several school districts around the state. These schools have the opportunity to offer our dual-credit courses in wind energy. However, it may be at the discretion of the school district, school counselor and/or individual as to who may take the courses. There will be scholarships available to supplement these courses for the Independent School District. We have focused primarily on school districts in the Abilene area and have permission to offer the same courses in the Howard College and Western Texas College coverage areas.

How will the training help me?

The training offered is generic in nature for technicians to work on the wind turbines. We have a DeWind 8.2 wind turbine on site which is used as a training aid. Students will receive climbing training on the 300 foot turbine as well as general training within the interworking of the turbine. Most turbines are proprietary by nature, so we offer students as much training as possible of the non-proprietary blend. The Texas Wind Energy Institute is proud to be the only school in the country to have their own full scale, working turbine solely for educational purposes. This will give students the competitive edge they need to get into the wind field.

How much will the training cost me?

COURSE	TUITION
Certificate I	$2,000
Certificate II	$4,900
A.A.S	$6,500

*Roughly $100 per credit hour

Do we have any scholarship?

Only people who qualify will be eligible to apply for the limited number of scholarships available through TSTC.

Do we offer employment?

The Texas Wind Energy Institute will equip you with the necessary skill set to find employment in the Wind Energy sector. Texas Wind Energy Institute and Texas State Technical College do not offer employment.

Program Specific Questions - Ph.D. in Wind Science & Engineering

What are the requirements for admission to the Wind Science and Engineering Ph.D. program?

Please see the Graduate School Website for policies on applying to the program. The Ph.D. program requires applicants to have a Master's degree in engineering, atmospheric sciences, economics, or physical sciences. Our program also requires applicants to submit a personal statement answering "Why do you want to pursue a Ph.D. in Wind Science and Engineering?" and e-mail the statement to our academic coordinator at kelsey.seger@ttu.edu.

Students will be accepted to the Ph.D. program only after a careful screening. Several measures will be considered for acceptance:

Academic qualifications
Interest in Wind Science and Engineering
Diversity
Aptitude for completing the work

Do I have to take the GRE in order to apply for the program?

Yes, the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required as part of admissions for the Graduate School and the Ph.D. program. The scores are carefully considered on an individual basis.

How long does the program take to graduate with a Ph.D. in Wind Science and Engineering?

The degree takes three years for completion of all core courses, summer internship, dissertation related courses, research and dissertation hours. Because of the multidisciplinary nature of the degree, it is not necessary to declare a minor; an area of emphasis with 18 semester hours of course work is required, and can be fulfilled with a Master's degree.

What classes will I have to take?

The doctorate requires at least 60 semester hours of graduate studies in addition to a dissertation (requirement of the Graduate School of Texas Tech University). These 60 hours include core courses, field of emphasis courses and a three to four month internship. Students are required to take seven core courses (21 hours) that include wind engineering, atmospheric sciences, economics, ethics, and mathematics. Students will also enroll in five additional courses (15 hours) related to a student's dissertation research area. The summer internship is two courses; one course per each summer semester (6 hours). Six courses (18 hours) may be transferred from a Masters degree or completed in course work on campus. Please see our curriculum website.

What financial support is available?

Students accepted in the degree program will be generously supported through various funding sources. The total support package for qualified students will begin at $25,000 per year and increase to $30,000 per year upon the successful completion of the qualifying examination and admission to Ph.D. candidacy.

Special attention is taken to enhance involvement of under-represented students.

What are current research topics being studied?

Structural Design for Hurricanes and Tornadoes
Bluff-Body Aerodynamics in Wind Tunnel and Full Scale
Wind Characteristics in Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and Thunderstorms
Post-Windstorm Disaster Analysis
Wind Power System Reliability
Economics of Wind Power
Windstorm Risks to Wind Power Plants
Risk Analysis and Decision-Making
Windstorm Shelter Development
Economic Analysis for Windstorm Mitigation
Wind Energy Transmission
Windstorm Debris Impacts
Remote Sensing of Damage
Wind - Wave Interaction

Do I need an engineering background to be a part of the Ph.D. program?

No, an engineering background is not required. However, a background in atmospheric sciences, economics, or physical sciences is preferred and an engineering background would be beneficial.

What are the standard admission requirements?

Students are admitted to this program based on a variety of qualifications. A Bachelor's or Master's degree in engineering, atmospheric sciences, economics or physical sciences is preferred. Preference is given to students with a Master's degree. In addition, admission is granted only after personal interview with at least two faculty members representing the program. Applications are only accepted for students beginning their study in the fall semester.

Your college transcripts and GRE Scores are an important part of the determining process, as well as the personal statement. Also, please look at our Policies page.

How many years do I need to live in Texas in order to qualify for in-state tuition?

Students who are admitted to the Ph.D. program automatically qualify for in-state tuition. Our program is very selective of the students it admits. Students accepted will be generously supported through various funding sources. The total support package for qualified students will begin at $25,000 per year and increase to $30,000 per year upon the successful completion of the qualifying examination and admission to Ph.D. candidacy.

Special attention is taken to enhance involvement of underrepresented students.

Are sources of financial aid increasing for this program as America plans to use more renewable energies?

We certainly hope so and are working around the clock to apply for the funds to sponsor more fellowships. We have applied to the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and several other organizations with an interest in wind energy.

What makes Texas Tech's Ph.D. program more desirable than others?

Texas Tech University's Wind Science and Engineering Research Center is the only university in the world to offer this type of multidisciplinary degree. The Wind Science and Engineering Ph.D. degree encompasses several different topics of study including atmospheric science, wind engineering, economics, statistics, leadership/ethics and wind power systems.

What professors that I would be working with? What are their backgrounds?

Please view our Faculty Directory page.

What benefits would I have upon receiving my Ph.D.?

The achievement of a Ph.D. indicates an individuals' expertise in a given field. Such expertise qualifies an individual to conduct independent research and, as a result, contribute new knowledge in his or her field of study. A lifetime investment, the dedication that is required by Ph.D. candidates while they work toward the degree prepares them for research positions in academia or industry upon completion of it.

The specific goals of Ph.D. study are:

Multidisciplinary knowledge of the research, literature, models and practices in the fields of engineering, atmospheric science, economics, or physical sciences.
The ability to conceptualize, conduct, and report original research contributing to the creation of knowledge in wind science and engineering.
The ability to transmit knowledge about wind science and engineering through teaching to students and industry practitioners.