Wind energy academic programs at Texas Tech

Wind energy as an industry is expanding at a phenomenal rate. There is a severe dearth of manpower that has a good basic understanding of wind energy for the industry. Texas Tech University, with its long term history of research and education in wind engineering, is developing curricula in wind energy at all levels of higher education. The curricula includes two-year technical associate degree (this is being developed by a sister institution), a four-year bachelor degree program, a post-graduate Certificate program, and a Ph.D. research oriented degree in Wind Science and Engineering. This paper discusses interdisciplinary B.S. degree curriculum that is under development and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. degree that has been in place since 2007. The paper also discusses experiences of development of interdisciplinary degree that crosses the boundaries of departments and colleges.