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The 2026 application window opens in August 2025.
Germany: Leading the Renewables Revolution
Meet leaders from Germany and Minnesota who are involved in solving the social, technical, and political challenges of transforming industrial economies in the era of climate change.
Program Structure
Program Level
3000 level coursework / 5000 level for graduate students
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Courseload
One 3-credit course
CFAN 3532/5532 Course Schedule 2026
CFAN 3532/5532 - Germany: Leading the Renewables Revolution - is an embedded spring 2026 course, with the abroad portion in Germany taking place in January 2026 with additional sessions taking place as indicated. Below is the schedule for the 2026 exchange.
Embedded Winter/Spring Semester 2026 course sessions:
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Session 1 (on campus, in-person at UMN-TC): Saturday, November 8, 10:00am-4:30pm
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Session 2 (virtual): Monday, December 22, 10:00am-5:00pm
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Abroad portion (in Germany): January 6-18, 2026
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Session 3 (virtual): Friday, February 6, 2:00pm-5:00pm
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Session 4 (on campus, in-person at UMN-TC): Monday, March 30, 2026, 6:00-9:30pm
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Coursework
Students earn 3 credits for CFAN 3532/5532. Tuition costs for the program will not be charged for those who will be considered full-time (+13 credits) without counting this course during spring 2026. Students who are not considered full-time will be charged the cost up to 3 credits. See the Fees tab for more information.
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Students majoring and/or interested in sustainability and renewable energy will benefit from this experience. However, the program is open to learners from all disciplines.
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This course satisfies the following Liberal Education Requirements: Global Perspectives and Environment.
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This course also has the possibility to be counted as credit toward a German major or minor as an elective. To earn the language credit, the journal assignments must be written in German. The class is otherwise taught in English with no prior language requirements. (Please contact Professor Benjamin Bigelow via email at bbigelow@umn.edu or ugradgsd@umn.edu to inquire about German minor/ GSD major elective credit.)