Climate Change

Applications of the tools covered in Economics 145E to such topics as global warming, destruction of the ozone layer, and emissions trading. Emphasis on independent research papers. Syllabus and classes include writing technique. Prerequisites: Economics 15A-B, 145E, and satisfactory completion of the lower-division writing requirement.

Lecture, three hours. Examination of current issues related to the atmosphere, including energy usage; toxicology; effects on humans, forest, plants, and ecosystems; particulate matter (PM10); combustion; modeling and meteorology; airborne toxic chemicals and risk assessment; application of science to development of public policies. Prerequisite: One course selected from Chemistry 245, Earth System Science 202, Engineering MAE164, Engineering MAE261, or consent of instructor.

Lecture, three hours. Examination of current issues related to the atmosphere, including energy usage; toxicology; effects on humans, forest, plants, and ecosystems; particulate matter (PM10); combustion; modeling and meteorology; airborne toxic chemicals and risk assessment; application of science to development of public policies. Prerequisite: One course selected from Chemistry 245, Earth System Science 202, Engineering MAE164, Engineering MAE261, or consent of instructor.

Sources, dispersion, and effects of air pollutants. Topics include emission factors, emission inventory, air pollution, meteorology, air chemistry, air quality modeling, impact assessment, source and ambient monitoring, regional control strategies. Prerequisites: MAE91; MAE130A or CEE170. (Design units: 2)

Understanding the impact of the nuclear age on the environment and human health through the interrelated developments of nuclear power and nuclear weapons. The early years of weapon development, catastrophic environmental pollution, perils of nuclear power in the U.S. and Russia. Same as Social Ecology E127 and Public Health 168.

Lecture, three hours. Provides an introduction to sustainability from different points of view; historical, scientific, political, ethical, and economic. Same as Earth System Science 180

Lecture, three hours. Investigates how sustainability can be implemented in a variety of contexts including water, energy, non-renewable resources, biodiversity, and urban policy, and also how it could be measured. Same as Earth System Science 182.

Introduction to major themes and debates in environmental ethics, with application to contemporary environmental issues. Prerequisite: graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Lecture, three hours. Natural disasters are natural processes that adversely affect humans. By examining these processes students develop a basic understanding of Earth’s physical environment. Topics include: tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, severe weather, flooding, climate change, mass extinctions and impacts with space objects.

Lecture, three hours. Overview of scientific underpinnings of global environmental change and human health consequences. Provides students with an understanding of the fundamental dependency of human health on global environmental integrity. Encourages disciplinary cross-fertilization through interaction of students in environmental, health, and policy sciences. Prerequisite: at least one upper-division course in environmental science, public health, environmental policy, and/or environmental management, or consent of instructor.