Energy and Sustainability Engineering
The MESE program equips students with the practical, industry-relevant experience that employers demand in today’s competitive energy and sustainability job markets. Designed in consultation with industry professionals from battery engineers to chief sustainability officers, the curriculum emphasizes experiential learning through real-world projects, team-based capstone experiences, and the opportunity to incorporate an internship into degree requirements. It is an engineering degree that prepares students for technical careers across energy and sustainability. Students also benefit from Penn’s powerful global reputation and extensive alumni network, gaining access to career development resources and professional connections. Please see the SEAS Career Services for more information.
The MESE program balances technical rigor and flexibility with direct faculty support to help each student develop a curricular path uniquely tailored to their needs and interests. Students have the opportunity to interact with Penn’s world-class faculty in energy and sustainability, including via independent study research projects. All students gain hands-on experience with authentic, real-world energy and sustainability projects, ensuring that they are prepared to become leaders in the field after graduation.
The program is designed to provide a strong background in the technical fundamentals of energy and sustainability, while retaining the flexibility to allow students to tailor the degree to their interests. Students complete an introductory overview course, select a concentration from four options (Environment and Climate Solutions; Clean Energy Technology; Society and Policy; or Economics and Innovation), and participate in a project-based capstone. Please see the curriculum page for details.
There is no thesis requirement. However, all students must have an experiential component to their degree. This can be satisfied via the capstone course, ENGR 5020 (Engineering Sustainability at Penn), in which students apply their engineering skills to authentic campus sustainability problems. It can also be satisfied through independent study research in the research group of one of Penn’s many leading energy and sustainability faculty, or through internship or co-op experiences in the field.
Internships and co-ops are not required, and are not guaranteed. However, students have ample career development and networking opportunities, and are supported in finding positions.
The application requires a resume, personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and an unofficial transcript. Official transcripts will be required if you are admitted to the program. TOEFL, IELTS, or DET results are required for students who do not have English as a native language. GRE scores are optional. Please visit our How to Apply page to learn more about all of the application requirements. Please view the FAQ webpage from the SEAS Admission’s office for answers to questions about the application. Any questions regarding the online application system including the upload of documents or system issues should be directed to the Graduate Engineering Admission’s Office email.
We are unable to offer pre-assessments or informal evaluations of applications. Admissions decisions are based on a holistic review of the full application, so the best way to find out if you’re a good fit is to submit a complete application. We encourage all interested candidates to apply. If you have specific questions about the program, you can reach out to energy-sustainability@seas.upenn.edu.
The MESE degree is awarded by the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Tuition rates and fees for the program are administered by the School of Engineering and are subject to change. Current tuition & fees, along with opportunities for scholarships and fellowships, are available here.
MESE is a technical degree intended for students with an undergraduate degree in STEM. Your undergraduate degree should include training in thermodynamics. Examples of undergraduate majors that would likely prepare you well for MESE include, but are not limited to: chemical, mechanical, materials, civil, or environmental engineering; chemistry, physics, or environmental science.
Students without the technical background required for engineering but who are interested in graduate training in energy and sustainability are encouraged to consider Penn’s Master of Environmental Studies (MES) program, which is designed for individuals with a wider variety of backgrounds and levels of experience.
We strongly recommend students review their course plan with their undergraduate advisor(s) – both faculty and academic – as they become interested in the AM Program and before submitting the application. Applicants should apply during their sophomore or junior year. For more information about pursuing an accelerated master’s degree, please review the guidelines for completing an accelerated masters at Penn Engineering.
Students interested in a dual master’s degree with MESE should meet with the advisors from both programs, paying careful attention to the curricula (e.g., criteria regarding double-counted courses) and financial aid policies. For more information about pursuing a dual master’s degree, please review the Dual Degrees section of the Graduate Student Handbook.
Penn Engineering welcomes many international students from across the world and supports a vibrant international community. The office for International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) provides support to students navigating the visa process. Please review the ISSS webpage for more information about the visa application process, frequently asked questions, and more.
