Sustainable Education
Carnegie Mellon continues to build upon its tradition as a leader and innovator in environmental education. As a community of scholars and researchers committed to understanding and addressing some of the pressing and complex environmental problems, CMU continually strives to find new ways to teach, study, treat, prevent, remediate and advocate in classrooms, laboratories, campuses and communities. Environmental study and sustainability is not confined to a single discipline nor a set of traditional curricula. It is embedded in courses from art and architecture to history and English to business and mechanical engineering. It is a part of our daily campus life and the ethos of our culture.
Spring 2015 Course Highlights:
48-448 History of Sustainable Architecture
The term "sustainable architecture" is recent, arising in the 1990s in reaction to the excesses of the Industrial Revolution and its ambassador, Modern architecture. Yet, an aesthetic and philosophical view of harmony with nature accompanies many forms of historical human activity in the built environment. Similarly, issues of waste removal, mechanical systems and natural materials that characterize current concerns have illustrative historical roots in numerous civilizations going back centuries and even millennia in pre-Industrial or non-industrial cultures. 60-358 Art and Biology A studio-laboratory art-making course designed to explore interactions between art and biology. It is an opportunity for students interested in interdisciplinary concepts to work both in a studio art environment and a biological laboratory. Students have the opportunity to experiment creatively with scientific media such as electron and video-probe microscopy. 19-425 Sustainable Energy for the Developing World This course examines the current state of the energy system in developing countries and the challenges these countries will face in sustainably meeting their energy needs in the 21st century. What is the current status of the energy system in the developing world? What is the role of energy in supporting economic growth and alleviating poverty? What are the future energy needs of developing countries? What technologies are available to meet the energy challenges in the developing world? 24-689 Special Topics: Global and Regional Sustainable Design Through the design activity, engineers creatively produce technical solutions to global challenges, such as depletion of resources, environmental pollution, rapid population growth and damage to ecosystems. In this project-based course students will learn about life cycle analysis, design sustainability, design for extreme affordability, socio-economic and cultural diversity considerations while working on a community-based project to design a mechanical technical product solution. 67-353 IT & Environmental Sustainability IT production, use, and disposal have real environmental impacts, and increase CO2 emissions resulting from power consumption. Therefore, making the production, use, and disposal of ICT greener is essential. However, IT can help mitigate environmental degradation and reduce carbon emissions by enabling smarter cities, transportation systems, electrical grids, sensors, and business processes and management. In this course, students will learn about the impact Information Systems and Information Technology have on the environment and the role IS/IT may play as a possible solution to many environmental problems. 90-789 Sustainable Community Development This course will involve in-depth examination of the economic and social value that is created when development occurs in a sustainable manner. The various components of comprehensive community development will be defined through class lectures guest speakers and case studies. Economic and design comparisons will be drawn between sustainable and non-sustainable models of development. The course will also consider how public policy and private decision-making can be influenced by well-organized community planning and advocacy efforts. 19-665 Environmental Politics and Policy Using a case study approach, students will learn how to how to use program evaluation to analyze the effectiveness of past policies (e.g., CFCs, DDT) and apply the lessons learned to conduct policy analysis of current environmental challenges (e.g., nanotechnology, climate change). Students will gain an understanding of the variety of policy mechanisms available to attain environmental goals including the use of voluntary standards. Student interest will guide topic selection for both issues discussed in class and for project work. 88-413 Energy and Climate: History, Science, Technology, and Policy in the US 1776-2076 This course provides CMU students with a historically grounded, technically informed, and policy-centered examination of energy and climate in the United States from the American Revolution to the nation's tri-centennial, by which time the nation will either have taken the necessary action to avoid massive catastrophes related to global warming or will be destined for-and perhaps already experiencing--a series of vastly catastrophic climate events that visit apocalyptic-like suffering and misery on large segments of the nation. 51-347 Drawing from Nature This course is about observing and making images of things growing, crawling, flying, swimming etc. Observations will be made firsthand in the field, supported with relevant research in topic areas with the aim of deepening personal understanding of all things biological. Issue surrounding natural forms such as behavior, locomotion, adaptation, the environment and systems will also be investigated. |
73-148 Environmental Economics
A course for non-majors which explores the interplay between economics and environmental issues. Topics include: market failures and environmental problems, economically efficient allocations of environmental resources, and the intended and unintended consequences of public policies designed to improve the environment. Practical issues surrounding the feasibility of implementing theoretically efficient principles and policies are analyzed, and alternative policies that might achieve better results in practice are investigated. 76-315 19th Century American: Literature and the Environment In this class we'll go back in time to the Walden Pond of Thoreau's time, with a focus on the "Green Nineteen"---writers and thinkers who considered the relationship between human civilization and the American wilderness. We will think about the interrelationship between the environment and nascent capitalist industries by reading the poetry and prose by young women who worked in the Lowell Mill. Finally we will consider the environmental consciousness of the two most important poets of the 19th century. As for coursework: meditation, natures walks, and one group project in which you will design your own environmentally conscious Utopian community. 79-375 China's Environmental Crisis In the context of China's changing ecology, this course explores whether and how sustainable development has been, is being, and might be pursued by its vast population and political leadership. Without neglecting culture--e.g., Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist and Altaic (steppe) views of ideal human/environment interaction--we trace historical demographic patterns and their effects on China's fauna and flora, and investigate past government efforts at water control, migration, new crop introduction, natural disasters, etc. 90-765 Cities, Technology, and the Environment This course will explore the interaction of cities, technology and the natural environment over time. More specifically, it will consider the evolution of several major issues confronting cities today: (1) water supply, wastewater disposal and flooding; (2) Energy and Environment; (3) Transportation, suburbanization and land use; and (4) Brownfield creation and development. In a number of instances, the Pittsburgh region will be used to provide examples of these issues. These themes will be approached through a combination of class discussions, lectures, and visiting speakers. 24-292 Special Topics in Renewable Energy Engineering Introduction to engineering principles of various renewable energy systems, including the following topics: background on climate change and carbon sequestration, engineering analysis of renewable energy systems such as solar photovoltaic, wind power, hydropower, wave energy, bio mass energy, geothermal energy, and hydrogen based fuel cells. In addition, transitional energy systems such as nuclear power and advanced combined cycles will be introduced. Both engineering performance and present state of development will be discussed. 19-883 Special Topics: Seminar in Climate & Energy Decision Making under Uncertainty The goals of the course are to prepare CEDM PhD students to present their research work to different audiences, to understand how to communicate research results, and to build a collaborative and scientifically sound community of PhD students in the area of climate and energy decision making at Carnegie Mellon University. 98-260 Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction The class brings together mindfulness and conscious breathing with yoga and meditation in order to increase attention span and reduce stress naturally. With the exception of the introduction in the 1st week, the midterm in the 8th week, and the final in the 16th week, every class will consist of 25 minutes of "class time" - in-class worksheets, activities, group discussion, etc.; the remaining 25 minutes will be used for meditation and yoga purposes. 80-136 Social Structures, Policy, and Ethics
The course will consider ethical questions that arise regarding social structure and public policy's impact on both people and the environment. It will consider the role of political institutions (and, sometimes, individuals) in dealing with some of the greatest challenges facing our generation: World poverty, environmental problems, and globalization. 99-193 Personal Nutrition This course is an introductory nutrition course for non- nutrition majors exploring major concepts in human nutrition. It empowers students to develop and promote healthy eating attitudes and behaviors for themselves. Lectures may be supported by the Chemistry and Environmental Engineering departments. |
Environment Today: Food and the Environment Spring 2014
The "Environment Today" is an annual course that brings together students of different academic backgrounds and interests to learn about an environmental issue affecting our region and the globe. The theme for the 2014 Environment Today course is “Food and the Environment”. Student input is encouraged and expected as the course will be structured based on feedback gleaned from student participants during the first class meeting and during the subsequent class meet-ups. Students will be required to attend three meetings (3 hours), one at the beginning, middle and end of the semester; three of the Distinguished Lectures Series talks on the topic (3 hours); a panel session and forum with local experts on the issue of food sustainability (1 hour); complete outside readings (3 hours), and complete a community service learning project (6 hours). Some potential topics to be covered at the forum and in the course readings are food access, genetically modified crops, economic viability of small farms, food and climate impacts and other topics germane to the overall theme.
Featured Speakers
The speakers focused on the policy, protection, health and history in relation to our urban water resources and their restoration. However, students also learned how to access water data from the USGS and analyze urban stream flows. Students participated in role playing activities and in service learning activities in our urban watersheds, including Nine Mile Run in Frick Park and Panther Hollow Stream in Schenley Park with the support and leadership of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
If you wanna be involved in taking part during planning and organizing for this mini-course, contact Erika Ninos at [email protected]
Sustainability-related Courses
This is an overview sample of some of the courses related to sustainability and climate that are taught at Carnegie Mellon. Note that courses change from semester to semester and year to year. For more up to date information regarding courses and their respective contact information visit the Environment at CMU webpage: http://www.cmu.edu/environment/
ARCHITECTURE
48-100 Architecture Design Studio: Foundation I 48-205 Architecture Design Studio: Materials 48-300 Architecture Design Studio: Environment 48-315 Environment I: Climate & Energy 48-412 Environment II: Mechanical Systems 48-420 City as Landscape: Geography as Method and Metaphor 48-431 Bio Logic Responsive Building Technology 48-448 History of Sustainable Architecture 48-453 Urban Design Methods 48-596 LEED Buildings and Green Design 48-708 Sustainable Urbanism Studio 48-738 Special Topics: Ecological Footprints 48-749 Special Topics in CD: Parametric Modeling with BIM 48-752 Zero Energy Housing CHEMISTRY 09-105 Introduction to Modern Chemistry I 09-106 Modern Chemistry II 09-202 Safety and Environmental Issues for Chemists 09-219 Modern Organic Chemistry 09-510 Introduction to Green Chemistry 09-534 Chemical Approaches to Energy Conservation & Storage 09-705 Chemosensors and Biosensors 09-724 Environmental Chemistry COMPUTER SCIENCE 15-895 Artificial Intelligence for Health & Sustainability ECONOMICS 73-148 Environmental Economics 73-433 Environmental Policy and Economics ENGINEERING & PUBLIC POLICY 19-423 Environmental Science, Technology & Policy 19-424 Energy and the Environment 19-440 Combustion and Air Pollution Control 19-443 Climate Change, Impacts and Adaptation 19-614 Environmental Life Cycle Assessment and Green Design 19-622 Introduction to Sustainable Engineering 19-623 Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Engineering Design 19-653 Special Topics Climate Change Mitigation 19-655 Special Topics in Engineering and Public Policy: Emerging Shale Gas Policies 19-655 Design, Innovation and Strategy 19-656 Current Issues in EPP: CO2 Capture and Sequestration 19-666 Energy Policy 19-688 Innovation for Energy and the Environment 19-696 Special Topics: Sustainability and Innovation 19-710 Special Topics: Environmental Regulation and Manmade Nanomaterials 19-714 Environmental Life Cycle Assessment 19-726 Mathematical Modeling of Environmental Systems 19-740 Combustion and Air Pollution Control 19-751 Air Quality Engineering 19-781 Fundamentals of Atmospheric Aerosols 19-881 Seminar in Electricity Market Restructuring 19-882 Seminar in Low-Carbon Electric Power 19-883 Seminar in Climate & Energy Decision Making Under Uncertainty HISTORY 79-104 Global Histories: Latin America and Global Environmental 79-104 Global Histories: People Processes and the Environment 79-167 Issues in American Environmental History 79-232 Arabian Peninsula Environmental History (Qatar) 79-288 Bananas, Baseball, and Borders: A History of Latin American - US Relations 79-289 Energy, Environment, Globalization in the Americas 79-329 Health Environment in US History 79-336 American Environmental History from the Gilded Age to Depression 79-354 Energy & Climate: History, Science, Technology, and Policy in the United States 1776-2076 79-359 Sustainable Innovations: Ideas, Policies & Technologies to Make a Better Planet 79-372 Perspectives on the Urban Environment 79-375 China's Environmental Crisis 79-381 Energy, Environment, Globalization in Americas 79-384 Garbage Gone Global: Managing Surplus, Waste, and Desire STUCO (Student Led Courses) 98-183 STUCO: Introduction to Organic Gardening TEPPER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS 45-978 The Sustainable Business: Energy and Environmental Policies |
ART
60-437 Advanced CP/SIS: Environmental Sculpture 60-494 Pop Cabaret: Performance Art at the Andy Warhol Museum BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 03-126 Cellular Response to the Environment 03-410 Special Topics: Conservation Biology (Qatar) BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 70-332 Business, Society and Ethics CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY-WIDE STUDIES 99-234 Environment Today 99-238 Materials, Energy and Environment CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 12-080 Special Topics: Environment, Engineering and Society 12-090 Technology and the Environment 12-100 Introduction to Civil and Environmental Engineering 12-201 Geology 12-301 Civil Environmental Engineering Projects 12-351 Environmental Engineering 12-401 Civil & Environmental Engineering Design 12-629 Environmental Microbiology for Engineers 12-651 Air Quality Engineering 12-657 Water Resources Engineering 12-658 Hydraulic Structures 12-702 Fundamentals of Water Quality Engineering 12-712 Introduction to Sustainable Engineering 12-713 Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Engineering Design 12-714 Environmental Life Cycle Assessment 12-720 Water Resources Chemistry 12-721 Environmental Biotechnology Principles 12-724 Biological Wastewater Treatment 12-725 Fate, Transport & Physicochemical Processes of Organic Contaminants in Aqua Systems 12-726 Math. Modeling of Environmental Quality Systems 12-728 Special Topics: Remediation Engineering 12-729 Environmental Microbiology for Engineers 12-730 Environmental Nanotechnology G. 12-731 Drinking Water Treatment 12-733 Databases & Data Systems for Environmental Modeling 12-781 Fundamentals of Atmospheric Aerosols 12-995 Practicum in Civil and Environmental Engineering ENGLISH 76-319 Environmental Rhetoric HEINZ COLLEGE: School of Public Policy & Mgmt 90-707 Seminar in Brownfields and Brownfields Communities 90-733 Urban Development 90-765 Cities, Technology and the Environment 90-768 Energy and the Environment 90-779 The Shale Gas Revolution: Public Policy Challenges 90-789 Sustainable Community Development 90-798 Environmental Policy & Planning 90-803 Environmental Economics 90-808 US Energy Policy 90-821 Innovation for Energy and the Environment 90-828/88-412 Economics of Global Warming 90-893 Policy Topics: Environment Policy MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 27-421 Processing Design 27-725 Materials for Nuclear Energy Systems MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 24-424 Energy and the Environment 24-425 Combustion and Air Pollution Control 24-628 Energy Transport and Conversion at the Nanoscale 24-640 Special Topics in Climate Change Mitigation 24-644 Special Topics in Advanced Power Plant Design 24-683 Design for Manufacture and the Environment 24-722 Energy System Modeling 24-740 Combustion and Air Pollution Control PHILOSOPHY 80-109 Philosophy Freshman Seminar: Perspectives on Climate Change 80-136 Social Structure, Public Policy & Ethics 80-244 Environmental Ethics 80-344 Management, Environment, and Ethics SOCIAL AND DECISION SCIENCES 88-352 Environmental Economics and Policy 88-412 Economics of Global Warming 88-413 Energy and Climate: History, Science, Technology, and Policy in the US 1776-2076 88-433 The Shale Gas Revolution: Public Policy Challenges |