Power Electronics

Power electronics is a key enabling technology in essentially all electronic systems and is increasingly important in the grid interface of renewable energy sources and in efficient electrical loads. The necessity for power electronics technology in these rapidly expanding areas creates an increasing need for design engineers equipped with knowledge and skills to actively participate in multidisciplinary teams.

The MS-EE on Coursera's power curriculum addresses this demand for skilled power electronics design engineers, covering switching power supplies, DC-DC converters, inverters, power factor correction converters and LED lighting drivers. The power electronics curriculum emphasizes fundamentals and application in the power electronics field. This domain competency applies to end markets such as power management, portable power, computer systems, medical applications, spacecraft power systems, the automotive industry, renewable energy and the utilities.

Looking for a specific course? Check out the Course List.

   Specializations

Power Electronics Specialization (Pathway) (4 credits)

Instructor: Robert Erickson, PhD, Professor

Modeling, Control of Power Electronics Specialization (3.8 credits)

Instructor: Dragan Maksimovic, PhD, Professor

Power Electronics Project Course (1.2 credits)

Instructors: Robert Erickson, PhD, Professor & Dragan Maksimovic, PhD, Professor

Photovoltaic Power Electronics Specialization (3 credits)

Instructor: Robert Erickson, PhD, Professor

NoteThis course requires purchase of a parts kit in order to complete assignments. The kit will be used from the first experiment in the 2nd week of class and throughout the course and the following 2 courses of the specialization. Please allow adequate time to receive the kit. It is highly suggested that you receive the parts kit by the end of the first week of the session.

Power Semiconductor Devices Specialization (3.6 credits)

Instructor: Bart Van Zeghbroeck, PhD, Professor

Algorithms for Battery Management Systems Specialization (4.2 credits)

Instructor: Greg Plett, PhD, Professor

  Certificates

To complete a certificate, you must complete the following required specializations/courses.

Power Electronics Certificate (9 credits)

Required specializations:

  • Power Electronics Specialization
  • Modeling and Control of Power Electronics Specialization
  • Power Electronics Project Course

   Hardware & Software

While the power electronics courses in online MS-EE do not require hardware, some will invite you to utilize a circuit simulation software called LTSpice.

The software is free to download, and you can find more information on the Analog Devices site by visiting https://www.analog.com/en/design-center/design-tools-and-calculators/ltspice-simulator.html