Last semester, the University of Twente launched a new minor in Sustainability and Climate Physics for the first time, organised by the Applied Physics (AP) programme. The minor was received with enthusiasm: students found the courses challenging, relevant, and inspiring. A successful start that demonstrates how science and technology contribute to solutions for climate change.
What is the Sustainability and Climate Physics Minor?
Climate change is an urgent and current issue. In this minor, students learn about the physical and chemical principles behind climate change and the technologies that contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. The minor consists of three courses:
- Processes and Materials for Sustainable Energy Conversion (5 EC)
- Atmospheric and Climate Science (5 EC)
- Physical Principles of Electrochemistry for the Energy Transition (5 EC)
The minor combines physics, chemistry, and materials science and offers a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical experiments, giving students a broad and in-depth understanding of sustainable energy solutions.
A unique approach
What makes this minor unique is the combination of fundamental science and practical applications. Students worked with Jupyter notebooks to analyse the physical properties and vulnerabilities in the supply chain of materials for solar cells and batteries. They also conducted wind tunnel experiments to investigate the aerodynamic principles of wind energy and studied the operation of solar panels with a self-designed demonstrator. Additionally, they built a simple climate model to understand the workings of our atmosphere.
One of the biggest challenges in developing the minor was making the courses engaging and accessible for students with different backgrounds. With participants from not only Applied Physics but also Electrical Engineering (EE) and Chemical Science and Engineering (CSE), it was important to strike a good balance. The positive feedback shows that this was achieved!
Feedback from students and lecturers
Student Marten Reuvekamp, who took two courses in the minor, shares: “I chose the Sustainability and Climate Physics minor because I’m a strong advocate for the energy transition and was fascinated by learning the physics and chemistry behind climate-related topics. What makes these courses unique is that they cover topics you’re often already familiar with, like global warming, but where you’ve never understood the underlying physical principles. Climate Physics gave me a clear overview of the climate, and the ‘Oh, so that’s how it works!’ moment happened quite often. The course made me more aware of the urgency of climate change and the role science plays in understanding and solving the issues. It strengthened my conviction that I want to do something that positively impacts the climate in the future.”
The Climate Centre, which helped make the minor possible through a Seed Funding Grant, is also pleased with the outcome.
The Future of the Minor
The successful first edition of the Sustainability and Climate Physics minor is just the beginning. For the coming year, improvements and expansions are being considered, based on student feedback. It promises to remain a valuable choice for students who want to delve into the physical and chemical foundations of climate change and sustainable technologies.
Are you a student who wants to learn more about the science behind climate change and sustainable energy? Consider this minor and discover how you can make an impact with science and technology!
