This semester, five interdisciplinary professors have combined forces to teach an upper level seminar titled Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship: Science, Policy and Economics. It focuses on one of the most pressing concerns of the 21^st century—sustainability. The course aims to give participants a scientific overview of renewable energy sources, a relevant background of economic and political policy and finally the business knowledge necessary for students to feasibly break into the renewable energy technological market.

The class meets twice a week. On Monday nights they meet for a three-hour session to learn the scientific, economic and political background on renewable energy technology. Then, Director of Entrepreneurship and Liberal Arts, Dr. Betsy Gatewood, conducts a one-hour practicum lab on creating and marketing a new venture concept.

Fifty percent of students’ class grade comes from a group project where the objective is to develop a feasibility study for a new product or company related to renewable energy.  In this way, the course not only informs students about a major scientific, environmental and political issue, but it takes it one step further. Students must apply what they learn to a practical sustainability solution, making the knowledge each student receives relevant to a significant global issue. The seminar’s unique balance between knowledge and application is what makes it such an excellent opportunity for science and business to join forces.

One of the five professors, Dr. Daniel Fogel, Executive Professor of Strategy in the Babcock School of Management describes the course’s distinctiveness by saying, “We combine the science and business aspects of renewable energy in a seamless, integrative course. Solving our world's energy and environmental challenges must be accomplished using talents from different points of view in a positive manner that creates new technologies, business models and, most importantly, relationships among colleagues.”

 Wesley Johnson, a senior Biology major enrolled in the class believes strongly that, “the issue of renewable energy is more pressing now than ever. The forces of business potential and environmental necessity have drawn many students and professionals into this field of study. This is the first and only class at Wake Forest that addresses the issue the way that it needs to be addressed. If we want change to occur we need to convince businesses to be a front runner and for science to continue to provide the innovation necessary to make it a success.”

As the world’s resources continue to deplete, science must combat the issue with alternative sources of power.  The pressing need for new technology and options in this realm has led to a multitude of scientific studies and business plans. “It is very important to bring courses that focus on sustainability into our curriculum,” says Professor Dilip Kondepudi of the Chemistry department, “and this course, made possible by Wake Forest’s entrepreneurship and liberal arts program, is doing just that.”