This course deals with resource-related problems in a complex society. The course discusses the origin, distribution, and remaining supplies of resources (minerals, fossil fuels, and water) in terms of the economic, engineering, political, and environmental factors that govern their recovery, processing, and use. Students in this course will consider how to ensure a sustainable supply of resources for modern society. The discussion portion of the course is a student-led investigation into the feasibility of the University of Michigan campus achieving carbon neutrality.
Course Requirements:
There will be weekly, online, open-note quizzes taken remotely and 3 in-class exams. There will be a 2-3 page research memo due each week as part of the discussion to fulfill the upper lever writing requirement portion of the course.
Intended Audience:
Undergraduates
Class Format:
3 hours lecture, 1 hour discussion