The school says there is a need for the degree because California's alternative fuel cell industry can't find enough qualified people to fill available positions.

Jeff Anderson is with the battery storage trade association Cal Charge.  He says students who earn a master's degree will need more than science, "You need to understand the markets and the business factors that influence how technology's developed.  So, understanding what the end markets are for these technologies across grid, consumer and transportation sectors; and you need to understand the policy impacts."

Anderson says the degree program is the first in the world to focus only on battery technology.  The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory also participated in creating course content. 

Two courses will be available this fall online and at the San Jose Tech Center. 

There are 30 spaces available for interested students.