CEE Freshman Seminar

1.S991 EES-Lab: Engineering for Environment and Sustainability U

Prereq: none
1-2-6
Lecture T 2-3 (48-308), Lab: R 12-2 or 2-4 (48-109)
 
A hands-on introduction to key topics, current research and state-of-the-art tools in engineering for sustainability. This laboratory-based class centers on the engineering problems associated with the built and natural environments, with a focus on the design of novel solutions to grand challenges related to energy, the environment, and sustainable societal growth. The class is organized around three themes: (1) Sustainable Cities, (2) Energy and Climate, and (3) Air, Water, and Health. Each week will involve a lab or field trip related to a specific topic in sustainable engineering. Examples include assessing the viability of CO2 sequestration, generating and characterizing urban smog, collecting and observing the microorganisms that drive oceans' vital cycles, measuring the energy efficiency  of buildings, taking a boat on the Charles river to map out its pollution, seeing one of the largest wind turbine blade testing facilities, and a two-day field trip to Cape Cod.