Environmental Studies Energy and Air Sustainability (ENST 320b)

*Undergraduate applicants only, graduate students are not eligible*

Syllabus

Program Information

This class presents an overview of issues related to energy and air sustainability, including the science, policy, and business aspects (with a focus on the science part). Everyone who considers themselves an environmentalist has opinions on which sources of energy are “bad” and which are “good”, but what does that mean? How are these forms of energy harnessed by people, especially in the US, and how exactly are they good or bad? This course explores these questions, considering “cradle-to-grave” issues ranging from extraction of the energy resources from the environment to pollution from emissions or disposal of wastes. For four weeks, at USC’s Wrigley Marine Science center on Catalina Island, students will take a special section of this course, which is normally taught on UPC. Students in this Julymester will get an immersive, hands-on look at energy production and distribution on the island. Typical coursework will be supplemented with lab activities, field trips, and guest lectures from experts in different aspects of traditional and renewable energy. A final project and presentation to the cohort will occur in the last week, when students present the energy project they have worked on in the course.

Contact Information

Faculty Director: Victoria Petryshyn

Email: petryshy@usc.edu