Environmental Studies: Designing a Sustainable Future New

Environmental challenges are perhaps the greatest challenges that society faces today. Building societies that manage our natural resources in ways that do not diminish the ability to provide for future generations includes exciting new approaches from many disciplines including science, engineering, economics, sociology and political science. 

In this course, students will use a systems-approach to problem formulation and solving as they investigate ecosystems, food systems, energy systems, and architecture. Students will learn using material from interactive lectures, laboratory work, engineering design projects and field experiences.  Lectures on ecological restoration, regenerative agriculture, energy efficient building and transportation design will provide background for field trips to the Hudson River, Billion Oyster Project, Vertical Farms, and examples of Green architecture. Hands-on activities will include water quality testing, air quality testing, building solar cars and water wheels. Students will then select, develop and evaluate case studies on different aspects of building a sustainable future!