Short course
Introduction to the Energy Transition
Course status:
Course ended
Location:
Online
Dates:
16/01/2026 - 27/03/2026
Study format:
Online - live
Fees:
£360.00
Introduction to the Energy Transition covers an increasingly important topics such as climate change, ecology, energy policies, supply disruption and competition for energy.
This course examines existing energy and fuel use, as well as infrastructure, for the major sources in use globally. Innovation is producing evolving technologies, which have their own implementation challenges. The costs and benefits of each of the major energy sources are examined in order to understand how best to manage and meet growing energy demands. Strategies to assist in global aspirations for Net Zero are also covered.
This course aims to give students a holistic view of the opportunities and challenges involved in ensuring energy accessibility, reliability, security, and sustainability.
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Programme details
This course begins on the 16 Jan 2026 which is when course materials are made available to students. Students should study these materials in advance of the first live meeting which will be held on 23 Jan 2026, 3:00-4:00pm (UK time).
The last live webinar will be on the 27th March 2026.
- Week 1: Introduction to The Energy Transition
- Week 2: Biomass and Coal
- Week 3: Oil and Gas
- Week 4: Nuclear Fission and Fusion
- Week 5: Wind and Water
- Week 6: Sun and Earth
- Week 7: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
- Week 8: Storage and Electrification
- Week 9: Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Capture
- Week 10: The Path to Net Zero
Level and demands
The course will cover the basic material and references will be provided for further reading. Books and articles are expected to be available at local libraries, at the Dept for Continuing Education Library at Rewley House, or online. Students may also purchase books for self-study at their own discretion.
This course is offered at FHEQ Level 4 (i.e. first year undergraduate level), and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments and for the weekly webinar. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours, including those spent in live webinars.
English Language Requirements
We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information visit our regarding English language requirements webpage.
Course aims
- To provide a basic understanding of the topic of the energy transitionin progress today.
- To provide a basic understanding of the major energy sources used today.
- To provide a basic understanding of the reasons behind the policies of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy, using a cost-and-benefit approach.
- To provide an understanding of Net Zero goals, and strategies to achieve them.
IT requirements
Any standard web browser can be used to access course materials on our virtual learning environment, but we recommend Google Chrome. We also recommend that students join the live webinars on Microsoft Teams using a laptop or desktop computer rather than a phone or tablet due to the limited functionality of the app on these devices.
Programme details
This course begins on the 16 Jan 2026 which is when course materials are made available to students. Students should study these materials in advance of the first live meeting which will be held on 23 Jan 2026, 3:00-4:00pm (UK time).
The last live webinar will be on the 27th March 2026.
- Week 1: Introduction to The Energy Transition
- Week 2: Biomass and Coal
- Week 3: Oil and Gas
- Week 4: Nuclear Fission and Fusion
- Week 5: Wind and Water
- Week 6: Sun and Earth
- Week 7: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
- Week 8: Storage and Electrification
- Week 9: Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Capture
- Week 10: The Path to Net Zero
Teaching methods
This course takes place over 10 weeks, with a weekly learning schedule and weekly live webinar held on Microsoft Teams. Shortly before a course commences, students are provided with access to an online virtual learning environment, which houses the course content, including video lectures, complemented by readings or other study materials. Working through these materials over the course of the week will prepare students for a weekly 1-hour live webinar you will share with your expert tutor and fellow students. All courses are structured to amount to 100 study hours, so that on average, you should set aside 10 hours a week for study. Although the course finishes after 10 weeks, all learning materials remain available to all students for 12 months after the course has finished.
All courses are led by an expert tutor. Tutors guide students through the course materials as part of the live interactions during the weekly webinars. Tutors will also provide individualised feedback on your assignments. All online courses are taught in small student cohorts so that you and your peers will form a mutually supportive and vibrant learning community for the duration of the course. You will learn from your fellow students as well as from your tutor, and they will learn from you.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be expected be able to:
- list and describe the main features and components of the global energy system
- describe each of the major energy and fuel types, and understand their relative costs-and-benefits
- demonstrate an understanding of the reasons behind the present-day energy transition goals
- describe strategies for energy storage and distribution
- discuss Net Zero goals and strategies.
Assessment methods
You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Dr Suman Chowdhury
Dr Suman Chowdhury holds a doctorate in geophysics from the University of Oxford. He has over two decades of experience in the energy industry, spanning three continents.
Dr Chowdhury is a Fellow of both the Geological Society and the Royal Astronomical Society.
Assessment methods
You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Level and demands
The course will cover the basic material and references will be provided for further reading. Books and articles are expected to be available at local libraries, at the Dept for Continuing Education Library at Rewley House, or online. Students may also purchase books for self-study at their own discretion.
This course is offered at FHEQ Level 4 (i.e. first year undergraduate level), and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments and for the weekly webinar. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours, including those spent in live webinars.
English Language Requirements
We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information visit our regarding English language requirements webpage.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course Fee | £360.00 |
Module code: O25P788PYZ
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.