This course introduces students to climate, the carbon cycle, energy sources, and what sustainability means in practice. Students explore how energy is produced and used, how climate and energy systems shape society and policy, and why these issues matter across fields.
No science background is required. Students from all majors are encouraged to enroll. Prerequisite: MATH 1503.
SES 2113 is approved for general education credit Type II - Natural Science.
Core Domains: Carbon Cycle, Climate Change, and Environmental Sustainability; Fundamentals of Energy
Every decision about how power is produced, distributed, used, and paid for is also economic, cultural, ethical, and historical. This course looks at energy through the lens of historians, economists, philosophers, scientists, and sociologists.
Students explore how energy systems developed, who shaped them, how they shape us, what they cost, who pays, and what change would require.
Prerequisite: ENGL 1213 or EXPO 1213.
SES 2123 is approved for general education credit Type III - Social Science.
Core Domains: Historical, Societal, and Economic Impacts of Energy; Systems Modeling, Analysis, and Tradeoffs
3 credit hours, online course
This interdisciplinary course teaches students to evaluate energy systems by integrating environmental, economic, and social sustainability perspectives through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA), and Cost-Benefit Analysis methodologies. Students from diverse academic backgrounds collaborate to assess energy projects holistically, balancing technical performance with economic viability and societal impacts while developing skills to communicate findings effectively to policymakers, businesses, and the public.
1 credit hour, repeated 3 times
This seminar course exposes students to a wide range of sustainable energy topics and current issues through presentations by experts from academia, industry, and national laboratories. Students develop interdisciplinary communication skills by preparing and presenting their own research interests to audiences outside their area of expertise, fostering effective collaboration between STEM and non-STEM students.
