There are two aspects of most energy studies programs. The first is an exploration of the physical or ecological characteristics of various energy sources, and the second is a study of how these resources relate to national and global policy.

The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates on the eastern side of the Arabian peninsula, at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. Much of the work force in the UAE are foreign expatriates - hence the country's population makeup being so diverse, with Emirati citizens being a minority in their own country.