Colorado School of Mines to launch first-of-its-kind online certificate in carbon capture, utilization and storage

A new online graduate certificate at Colorado School of Mines will prepare working professionals to make an impact in the growing field of carbon dioxide mitigation, one of the key strategies for achieving the ambitious goals for reducing CO₂ levels in the atmosphere and reducing the global warming effects of greenhouse gases.

The Graduate Certificate in Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) will launch in Fall 2021 with a fully online curriculum designed specifically for those who want to strengthen and expand their breadth of knowledge in CCUS strategies, technologies and policy decisions.

“Given the recent climate bill, announcements by oil companies to cut fossil fuels, focus on carbon utilization and storage, and innovative utilization of carbon, there is an urgent need for a formal training on carbon capture, utilization and storage,” said Manika Prasad, professor of geophysics and director of the Mines CCUS Innovation Center. “But right now, no programs exist that cover the entire value chain of CCUS, nor the economic and policy impacts of this vital field.”

Designed for working professionals and recent graduates who want to acquire new skills for career advancement or get a head start on an advanced graduate degree, the three-course certificate will cover the climate and societal impacts of elevated levels of atmospheric CO₂, quantitative assessment methods of CO₂ mitigation, as well as economic and policy analysis of a CCUS economy. Certificate students will also have the choice to focus on geologic or non-geologic methods of CCUS. The Mines CCUS Innovation Center will oversee and manage the interdisciplinary program. Faculty from the departments of Geophysics, Geology, Petroleum Engineering, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemistry, Mining Engineering, Computer Science, and Economics and Business have already signed on to participate.

Students who complete the certificate program may apply their coursework toward a master’s degree at Mines in one of the participating disciplines.

“With our world-renowned graduate programs in earth sciences, engineering, and economics and business, Mines is the natural place to launch this first-of-its-kind graduate certificate in CCUS technologies and the CCUS economy,” said John Bradford, vice president for global initiatives at Mines. “Ultimately, our goal is to be the premier institution on research and education on CCUS – we have the expertise, the ties with industry and the solution-focused mindset needed to take the lead on this grand societal challenge.”

For more information about the certificate program, go to online.mines.edu/carbon-capture-utilization-and-storage-online/.