There is still room to register in ESD.120/12.845, Sustainability Science and Engineering, taught by Prof. Noelle Selin. It's a discussion-oriented course for students interested in research in sustainability.
The pre-requisite requirement is flexible (so don't worry if you haven't taken ESD.83).
Our next session is Tuesday, Sept 18 at 1 pm in E51-390. It's only offered every two years, so, if you're interested, come check it out!
Cheers,
Rebecca Saari (course TA)
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ESD.120/12.845 Sustainability Science and Engineering
Noelle Selin
Meets Tuesdays 1-4 in E51-390 (First meeting: Tuesday 11 September)
Units 3-0-6
The growing field of sustainability science and engineering focuses on developing understanding of human-environment systems and their complex interactions, with the aim of maintaining and managing those systems for the long-term future. It integrates approaches from science, technology, management, and public policy. The objective of this course is for students developing research in this broad area to both understand and be able to contribute to this rapidly-changing field of study. To that end, this course will be a research seminar focusing on 1) identifying and collectively engaging core texts in sustainability science and engineering, and 2) learning and developing best practices in working across disciplinary boundaries in sustainability, especially across natural science/engineering and social science/management.
The first part of the subject introduces concepts of sustainability, the emerging field of sustainability science and engineering, and core research issues. We then focus on case studies of sustainability research, with guest lecturers presenting recent work in sustainability-related fields. Student choice case studies will be an opportunity to read, engage and critique studies from the literature. Assignments include two problem sets (on content and methods) and a term project (writing an interdisciplinary research proposal similar in format to an NSF Sustainability SEES fellowship proposal).
This subject is designed for PhD students and advanced Master’s students who have an in-depth knowledge of a particular case and literature in their own field (e.g. a Master’s or PhD thesis topic). Students from any discipline (including engineering, natural science, and social sciences) are welcome. The subject is offered every other year during fall semester (i.e. next will be fall 2014).
For any questions, contact Noelle Selin at selin@mit.edu or TA Rebecca Saari at saarir@mit.edu