Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage
As the world works toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the demand for professionals who understand Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) continues to grow. The University of Regina’s Master’s Certificate in CCUS is designed for engineers, policymakers, and professionals from diverse backgrounds who want to lead in climate change mitigation.
This focused, advanced program draws on the University of Regina’s longstanding strength in Process and Energy Engineering. It offers deep insight into CCUS technologies and the evolving carbon economy, preparing you to meet the urgent needs of industry, government, and society.
Whether you're advancing your career or shifting toward a more sustainable future, the Master’s Certificate in CCUS provides the knowledge and foundation to make a real, measurable impact.
Why CCUS?
CCUS is a critical tool in global emissions reduction strategies. Understanding how these technologies work—and the risks and opportunities they present—is increasingly essential for today’s business and policy leaders. Taught by leading scientists who collaborate closely with industry, this program equips you with:
- Technical knowledge of CO₂ mitigation technologies
- Awareness of associated risks and implementation challenges
- A deeper understanding of CCUS's environmental, social, and economic impacts in Canada and around the world
Leadership in Clean Energy
The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Regina has been a leader in CCUS research for nearly 30 years—well before the field captured global attention. The Clean Energy Technology Research Institute (CETRi) is home to pilot-scale carbon capture facilities and state-of-the-art laboratories. Graduate students pursuing Master's and PhD degrees conduct advanced research here, using a range of commercially available solvents and cutting-edge technologies.
Choose Your Path: Standalone or Stackable Options
The Master’s Certificate in CCUS can be completed as a standalone credential to enhance your expertise and advance your career.
It can also be embedded within the following graduate programs at the University of Regina:
- Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Process Systems Engineering (Thesis and Co-op routes)
- Master of Engineering (MEng) in Process Systems Engineering (Project and Co-op routes)
What is Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage?
Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) is an advanced set of technologies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from large-scale sources such as industrial facilities and power plants.
Once captured, CO₂ can be:
- Utilized in processes such as enhanced oil recovery or the manufacturing of fuels, chemicals, and building materials, or
- Stored permanently in deep geological formations to prevent it from entering the atmosphere.
CCUS is widely recognized as a key component in global emissions reduction strategies. It enables hard-to-decarbonize sectors—such as energy, manufacturing, and heavy industry—to significantly lower their carbon output, while supporting the transition to a net-zero future.
Some course options available as part of this certificate include:
ENPC 870 (Required Course) - Advanced Topics in CO2 Capture & Separation Using Reactive Solvents
The class will cover the fundamental issues as well as the advanced topics in carbon capture and separation using reactive solvents. Recent progress and new developments of the subject will be described and its industrial applications will also be discussed.
ENPC 871 - Advanced Topics in Design & Optimization of CO2 Capture Systems
The class will cover advanced topics on design and process optimization issues of industrial CO2 capture systems. Recent progress and new developments of the subject will be described and industrial applications will be discussed. Two case studies related to power utility industry and natural gas processing will be examined in detail.
ENPC 872 - Advanced Topics in Carbon Finance
This course will explore the economic and environmental impacts of using carbon-based energy resources. The financial tools and techniques that can be applied to combat climate change will be investigated. The class will also discuss venture capital to develop low emissions technologies and project finance to build clean energy projects.
ENPC 873 – Advanced Topics in CO2 Utilization
The class will cover fundamental issues as well as recent topics of CO2 utilization. Recent progress and its applications in the process industry, such as (but not limited to) CO2 for enhanced oil recovery, CO2 as a fluid fracking, CO2 in cement manufacturing and CO2 for supercritical extraction, will be discussed.
ENPC 880 AC - Advanced Topics in Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)
Advanced topics in carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), including recent progress and new developments related to CCUS technologies with applications in the petroleum industry.
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Engineering and Applied Science Meet Your Faculty
Why Study Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage at the University of Regina?
Learn from real projects
Saskatchewan has been home to several globally recognized CCUS initiatives, and the faculty brings extensive experience from these cutting-edge projects, including:
- Boundary Dam – the world’s first commercial carbon capture facility on a coal-fired power plant
- Weyburn-Midale Carbon Dioxide Project– one of the largest carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery projects in the world
- Aquistore – a pioneering project for injecting captured CO₂ into a deep saline aquifer
Tour research facilities
You’ll have the opportunity to tour the research facilities at the Clean Energy Technology Research Institute (CETRi) and the Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC), where you’ll see firsthand the research connected to each course. These experiences provide invaluable insight into the technologies and innovations shaping the future of clean energy.
- CETRi brings together all low-carbon and carbon-free energy research at the U of R, focusing on decarbonization, zero-emission hydrogen technologies, CO₂ capture and utilization, and waste-to-renewable fuels and chemicals.
- PTRC supports the growth of research capacity in Saskatchewan and Canada by funding and facilitating projects that address real-world challenges in the energy industry.
Learn from expert faculty and industry professionals
You’ll learn from expert faculty and professionals who are leaders in the field of clean energy. You’ll attend seminars led by professionals with world-class experience in operating carbon capture plants and storing carbon in reservoirs and deep saline formations. Instructors are leading scientists with strong ties to industry, ensuring you gain practical, up-to-date knowledge from those driving progress in the field.Enter a high-demand field
The global job market for CCUS professionals is expanding quickly as companies and governments work to reduce emissions and reach climate targets. Graduates of this certificate program are well-positioned to make a meaningful impact across a variety of industries and facilities, including carbon capture plants alongside power plants, cement factories, hydrogen production facilities, and oil refineries.Master’s Certificate in Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Frequently Asked Questions
The admission standards for a Master’s Certificate are the same as those for a Master’s Degree. See Graduate Studies and Research Eligibility Requirements.
Please note that international students may not be eligible for Master’s Certificate programs because of Visa and Study Permit regulations.Tuition fees vary depending on whether you are a domestic or international student. To see the cost per credit hour for the Faculty of Graduate Studies, visit the Tuition and Fee Schedule.
This certificate program consists of 9 credit hours (3 courses).You may be eligible for scholarships, financial aid, or other funding opportunities.
Scholarships:
- Graduate students are encouraged to explore available scholarships and funding options.
Financial aid:
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and designated protected persons may qualify for Canada Student Financial Aid, which provides loans and grants to help cover education costs.
- International students on a study permit should explore financial aid options available in their home country or consider loan opportunities through local banks.
What Can You Do with a Master’s Certificate Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage?
There is a growing global demand for professionals who can design, construct, operate, and maintain carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) infrastructure. In the past five years alone, a significant number of companies have emerged to develop and commercialize their own carbon capture technologies. At the same time, many established organizations are investing in CCUS to meet regulatory requirements and respond to increasing consumer demand for sustainable products and services.
Graduates of this certificate program are well-positioned to make a meaningful impact across a variety of industries and facilities, including carbon capture plants located alongside power plants and cement factories, hydrogen production facilities, oil refineries, and geological storage sites. By leading efforts in sustainability and innovation, you'll help shape a cleaner, more sustainable future.
This certificate allows graduates to apply their core discipline—such as Process, Environmental, or Civil Engineering—to roles in carbon capture, utilization, and storage that align with their background.
Examples of CCUS-related careers include:- Process Engineer – Carbon Capture
- Environmental Engineer – Emissions Control
- Civil Engineer – CCS Infrastructure
- Chemical Engineer – Clean Energy Systems
- Mechanical Engineer – Carbon Technology Integration
- Project Manager – CCUS Projects
- Sustainability Engineer
- Site Operations Supervisor – Carbon Capture Facilities
- Compliance Specialist – Carbon Management
- Carbon Capture Analyst
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