Current courses:
NR602: Natural Resources and Environmental Policy
Contemporary natural resource and environmental policy problems/issues are addressed from a policy sciences perspective with emphasis on domestic policy solutions. Critical assessment of major policy initiatives and their implementation toward a healthy environment. Public policies are analyzed to determine the extent to which their implementation strategies have succeeded, and to assess their adequacy within a bioregional or ecosystem approach, and/or capacity to integrate economic and environmental decisions. Cases include national and local policies in their global context.
NR797: Advanced Topics in Sustainable Energy
The course content reviews basic structures of the U.S. energy system, energy markets and economics, and the environmental, economic and technological dimensions of our energy landscape. The focus is on electricity with introductions to the unique challenges in the transportation system and thermal loads for buildings. Students evaluate innovations in technology, policy and financing necessary to implement beneficial energy goals from conservation and efficiency to renewables and energy storage. Perspectives range from centralized programs to distributed resources and micro-grids. The course provides and encourages critical analysis of how our current system impedes and enhances opportunities for innovation in renewable technologies and what changes must occur to enhance innovative policy, financing and technologies.