FACULTY & STUDENT RESOURCES
Environmental Courses
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Course Catalog
Also see http://enviroclasses.mit.edu/ for a complete listing of environmental courses.
3.083J Fundamentals of Advanced Energy Conversion
A. Ghoniem, M. Kazimi, Y. Chiang Spring TBA
Prerequisite: 2.006, 3.044, or permission of instructor.
Fundamentals of thermodynamics, chemistry, and transport applied to
energy systems. Analysis of energy conversion and storage in thermal,
mechanical, chemical, and electrochemical processes in power and
transportation systems, with emphasis on efficiency, performance and
environmental impact. Applications to fuel reforming and alternative fuels,
hydrogen, fuel cells and batteries, combustion, catalysis, combined and hybrid
power cycles using fossil, nuclear and renewable resources. CO2 separation
and capture. Biomass energy.
*4.213J Advanced Seminar: Urban Nature and City Design
A. Spirn Fall M 2:00-5:00
Examines the urban environment as a natural phenomenon, human habitat,
medium of expression, and forum for action. Subject has two related, major
themes: how ideas of nature influence the way cities are perceived, designed,
built, and managed; and how natural processes and urban form interact and
the consequences of these for human health safety and welfare.
*5.00 Applications of Technology in Energy and the Environment
J. Deutch, R. Lester Fall M, W 8:30-10:00
Introduces advanced undergraduates or graduate students in the Schools of
Engineering and Science to the integration of technical, economic, political,
and environmental consideration required for the successful implementation
of new technology. Case studies are drawn from the energy and environment
sectors with some emphasis on analytic techniques that serve as a “tool box”
for students. Technologies considered include fossil, nuclear, solar, wind,
fuel cell and energy conservation. International aspects, such as weapons
proliferation and global climate effects, also discussed.
*5.92 Energy, Environment, and Society
J. Steinfeld, J. Tester Spring TBA
Explores energy issues and community dynamics at the local level: on
the MIT campus and in the cities of Cambridge and Boston. Staff in
the Laboratory for Energy and the Environment work with community
contacts to develop project ideas of concern to community leaders that
have potential to affect local energy management. Students are involved in
all aspects of project design, from the refinement of research questions to
conclusions and presentation of findings. Includes exercises in written and
oral communication and team building. Preference to freshmen.
7.30J Ecology I: The Earth System
S. Chisholm, E. Delong Fall T, Th 11:00-12:30
Fundamentals of ecology, considering Earth as an integrated dynamic
system. Coevolution of the biosphere, geosphere, atmosphere and oceans.
Introduction to thermodynamics. The Earth’s energy budget. Photosynthesis
and respiration. The hydrologic, carbon and nitrogen cycles. Flow of energy
and materials through ecosystems, regulation of the distribution and
abundance of organisms, structure and function of ecosystems. Evolution and
natural selection; metabolic diversity; productivity. Trophic dynamics; models
of population growth, competition, mutualism and predation. Instruction
and practice in oral and written communication provided. 7.012-7.014
recommended.
8.21 Physics of Energy
R. Jaffe, W. Taylor Fall M, W, F 11:00-12:00
Prerequisite: Physics II (GIR), Calculus II (GIR), Chemistry (GIR).
A comprehensive introduction to the fundamental physics of energy systems
that emphasizes quantitative analysis. Focuses on the fundamental physical
principles underlying energy processes and on the application of these
principles to practical calculations. Applies mechanics and electromagnetism
to energy systems; introduces and applies basic ideas from thermodynamics,
quantum mechanics, and nuclear physics. Examines energy sources,
conversion, transport, losses, storage, conservation, and end uses. Analyzes
the physics of side effects, such as global warming and radiation hazards.
Provides students with technical tools and perspective to evaluate energy
choices quantitatively at both national policy and personal levels.
*10.391J Sustainable Energy
M. Golay, J. Tester, J. Freidberg Fall T, Th 3:00-5:00
Assessment of current and potential energy systems, covering extraction,
conversion and end-use, with emphasis on meeting regional and global
energy needs in the 21st century in a sustainable manner. Examination of
energy technologies in each fuel cycle stage for fossil (oil, gas, synthetic),
nuclear (fission and fusion) and renewable (solar, biomass, wind, hydro, and
geothermal) energy types, along with storage, transmission, and conservation
issues. Focus on evaluation and analysis of energy technology systems in
the context of political, social, economic, and environmental goals. Open to
upper-class undergraduates.
10.392J Fundamentals of Advanced Energy Conversion
A. F. Ghoniem, M. Kazimi, Y. Chiang Spring TBA
Prerequisite: 2.006, 3.044, or permission of instructor
Fundamentals of thermodynamics, chemistry, and transport applied to
energy systems. Analysis of energy conversion and storage in thermal,
mechanical, chemical, and electrochemical processes in power and
transportation systems, with emphasis on efficiency, performance and
environmental impact. Applications to fuel reforming and alternative fuels,
hydrogen, fuel cells and batteries, combustion, catalysis, combined and hybrid
power cycles using fossil, nuclear and renewable resources. CO2 separation
and capture. Biomass energy.
*10.579 Applications of Technology in Energy and the Environment
J. Deutch, R. Lester Fall M, W 8:30-10:00
Introduces advanced undergraduates or graduate students in the Schools of
Engineering and Science to the integration of technical, economic, political,
and environmental consideration required for the successful implementation
of new technology. Case studies are drawn from the energy and environment
sectors with some emphasis on analytic techniques that serve as a “tool box”
for students. Technologies considered include fossil, nuclear, solar, wind,
fuel cell and energy conservation. International aspects, such as weapons
proliferation and global climate effects, also discussed.
11.021J Environmental Law, Policy, and Economics: Pollution Prevention and Control
N. Ashford, C. Caldart Fall T, Th 4:00-5:00
Introduction to important issues in contemporary environmental law, policy,
and economics. Discusses the roles and interactions of Congress, federal
agencies, state governments, and the courts in dealing with environmental
problems. Topics include common law, administrative law, environmental
impact assessments required by the National Environmental Policy Act, and
legislation and court decisions dealing with air pollution, water pollution, the
control of hazardous waste, pollution and accident prevention, community
right-to-know, and environmental justice. Explores the role of science and
economics in legal decisions, and economic incentives as an alternative
or supplement to regulation. Analyzes pollution as an economic problem
and a failure of markets. Introduction to basic legal skills: how to read and
understand cases, regulation, and statutes; how to discover the current state
of the law in a specific area; and how to take action toward resolution of
environmental problems.
*11.361 International Environmental Management Practicum
EPP Staff Spring TBA
Client-driven project that addresses environmental policy and planning
issues in an international field setting. Students draw on their coursework
and professional experience to address pragmatic environmental issues and
concerns of either government agencies or non-governmental organizations
in other countries. Location and substantive issue will vary.
11.364 International Environmental Negotiation
L. E. Susskind Fall M 3:30-6:00
Prerequisite: 11.601, 11.362, 11.255.
Fourth subject in the Environmental Policy and Planning sequence.
Seminar looks at problems of managing common resources, difficulties of
achieving transboundary pollution control, and the dilemmas of regional
harmonization of environmental protection standards. At the core of these
problems are issues of how best to structure international treaty negotiations.
Focuses especially on problems of representation, issue linkage, and
enforcement.
*11.368 Environmental Justice
J. Carmin Spring TBA
Explores the foundations of the environmental justice movement, current
and emerging issues, and the application of environmental justice analysis to
environmental policy and planning. Examines claims made by diverse groups
along with the policy and civil society responses that address perceived
inequity and injustice. International issues and perspectives also considered.
11.372 Environmental Planning Methods Modules
EPP Staff Fall, Winter, Spring TBA
Prerequisite: 11.601
Various methods modules cover a range of analytical tools and techniques
used by practicing planners and resource management professionals.
Modules cover environmental impact assessment, principles of landscape
ecology, health risk assessment techniques, cost-benefit analysis techniques,
and techniques of environmental leadership. Modules are two to four weeks
long.
11.373 Science, Politics and Environmental Policy
J. Layzer Spring TBA
Examines the role of science in the U.S. environmental policymaking
process. Part I examines the methods by which scientists learn about the
natural world; the treatment of science by experts, advocates, the media,
and the public; and the way science is used in legislative, administrative and
judicial decision making. Part II takes up novel approaches to integrating
science into politics, such as ecosystem-based management, stakeholder
collaboration, local knowledge, adaptive management, and the precautionary
principle. Case studies help students compare theory and practice.
11.375 Role of Science and Scientists in Collaborative Approaches to
Environmental Policymaking
H. Karl Spring TBA
Prerequisite: 11.601, 11.373
Explores the evolving role of scientists and research in contemporary society.
Examines joint fact finding within the context of adaptive management and
ecosystem-based management. Challenges and obstacles to collaborative
approaches for deciding environmental policy and natural resource policy
and the institutional changes necessary within federal agencies to the gap between science, policy, and management to achieve more durable
policies and effective management decisions are discussed and reviewed with
scientists, policymakers, and managers. Senior-level federal policymakers
participate.
*17.398J Energy Policy for a Sustainable Future
J. Raab Spring TBA
Focuses on a wide range of current energy and energy-related environmental
policies that foster the development and mass deployment of sustainable
energy technologies, fuels, and practices. Primary focus is US-based
policies at the state, regional and federal level that impact the electricity,
transportation and buildings and facilities sectors. Detailed case studies,
diverse readings, and guest lectures by prominent policy makers and
practitioners.
21A.800J Environmental Conflict and Social Change
C. Walley Spring TBA
Explores the complex interrelationships among humans and natural
environments, focusing on non-western parts of the world in addition
to Europe and the United States. Use of environmental conflict to draw
attention to competing understandings and uses of “nature” as well as the
local, national and transnational power relationships in which environmental
interactions are embedded. In addition to utilizing a range of theoretical
perspectives, subject draws upon a series of ethnographic case studies of
environmental conflicts in various parts of the world.
21H.421 Introduction to Environmental History
H. Ritvo Fall T, Th 2:30-4:00
Focusing primarily on the period since 1500, explores the influence of
climate, topography, plants, animals, and microorganisms on human
history and the reciprocal influence of people on the environment. Topics
include the European encounter with the Americas, the impact of modern
technology, and the historical roots of the current environmental crisis.
21W.775 Writing about Nature and Environmental Issues
K. Boiko Fall T, Th 3:00-4:30
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the traditions of
American nature writing and environmental journalism. Reading and
reviewing will include natural history essays, journalism, poetry, and
documentary film. Students will be required to write several essays,
including one book review. Focuses on traditional nature writing and the
environmentalist essay. Students keep a web log as a journal. Writings are
drawn from the tradition of nature writing and from contemporary forms of
the environmentalist essay. Authors include Henry Thoreau, Loren Eiseley,
Annie Dillard, Chet Raymo, Sue Hubbel, Rachel Carson, Bill McKibben,
and Terry Tempest Williams.
ESD.128J Global Climate Change: Economics, Science, and Policy
H. Jacoby, R. Prinn Spring TBA
Prerequisite: Calculus II (GIR); 5.60 or 2.005; 15.010
Introduces scientific, economic, and ecological issues underlying the threat
of global climate change, and the institutions engaged in negotiating an
international response. Develops an integrated approach to analysis of
climate change processes, and assessment of proposed policy measures,
drawing on research and model development within the MIT Joint Program
on the Science and Policy of Global Change.
*ESD.137J Sustainability, Trade, and the Environment
N. Ashford Fall W 3:00-5:30
The Schumpeterian notion of technological innovation as “the engine of
growth” is being challenged as the globalization of trade is increasingly seen
as the driving force of industrial economies. With the establishment of the
World Trade Organization implementing the GATT, NAFTA, and other
trading regimes, serious questions have been raised concerning the effects
of global trade on sustainability, which must be viewed broadly to include
not only a healthy economic base, but also a sound environment, stable
employment, adequate purchasing power, distributional equity, national
self-reliance, and maintenance of cultural integrity. Subject explores the
many dimensions of sustainability and the use of national, multinational,
and international political and legal mechanisms to further sustainable
development.
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