Sustainability Course Listing

ARCH 421 - Energy Conscious Design I - R

The application of energy conservation methods and renewable energy sources, such as wind power and passive solar systems, will be examined in the development of building energy budgets for a variety of building types.  (3-0-3)

ARCH 422 - Energy Conscious Design II - R

The application of energy conservation methods and renewable energy sources, such as wind power and passive solar systems, will be examined in the development of building energy budgets for a variety of building types.  (3-0-3)

ARCH 445 - Prairie School and Naturalistic Landscape Design - R

This significant Midwestern style of landscape and architectural design provided the beginnings of ecology and continues to influence landscape design today. The course specifically addresses the work of designers such as Jens Jensen, O.C. Simonds, and Frank Lloyd Wright, and features IIT's Alfred Caldwell. Students receive an introduction to the types of plants used by these designers and the connections between landscape and architecture will be explored.  (3-0-3)

ARCH 446 - History of Landscape Architecture  - R

Survey of the history of landscape design throughout the world, including contemporary projects. The course emphasizes both analytical and holistic approaches to the study of historic designs, highlights the relationship between architecture and landscape, and stresses major concepts that directly influence present day designs.  One field trip.  (3-0-3)

ARCH 462 - Planning Law and Land Policy -  R

Since the introduction of basic zoning laws to the numbers and complexity of ordinances attached to any land parcel have proliferated to include those addressing land use, development, density, environmental concerns both on and off site, aesthetic mandates, energy use, quality of life concerns, and infrastructure development, the growing understanding that comprehensive and integrated systems must be managed across property lines to effect sustainable planning and communities will accelerate the number of prescriptive and policy ordinances enforced at the development of a parcel. Many agencies have further created extra-legal linkages between approvals for land development and the provision of social and ideological benefits to the community.

The impact on the profession of Architecture of the panoply of planning options and governmental goals is the result that the navigation of the system of mandated design determinates is one of the initial and potentially most creative acts in the process of project delivery. Project designers must understand the ramifications and trade-offs inherent in the system, especially in any attempt to achieve the best use of any parcel of land and position the most appropriate built environment.  (3-0-3)

ARCH 487 - Eco Structures - R

Research seminar giving focus to new technologies, especially complex structures: biotechnic, pneumatic, ultra-tall, composite structures, etc. Students conduct research using literature, data sources, and ideas to prepare imaginative small project interdisciplinary approach to solving problems in the built environment.  (3-0-3)

ARCH 505 Ecology, Sustainability, Site -  R

Students will develop a sensitivity to the environment in which architecture is created. Emphasis will be placed on an in-depth exposure to the integration of natural features of site, sustainable components of both natural and man-made systems, and the synergy of ecological design. (3-0-3)

ARCH  551 Design of Energy Efficient Buildings I – R

Design criteria for achieving human performance goals in energy-efficient buildings, criteria for the exterior/interior environment, and criteria for architectural, mechanical, electrical and building system components. Building upon the fall course, various energy-conserving strategies shall be evaluated for achieving cost effective, energy-efficient design of a specific building type.  (3-0-3)

ARCH 552 Design of Energy Efficient Buildings II – R

Design criteria for achieving human performance goals in energy-efficient buildings, criteria for the exterior/interior environment, and criteria for architectural, mechanical, electrical and building system components. Building upon the fall course, various energy-conserving strategies shall be evaluated for achieving cost effective, energy-efficient design of a specific building type. (3-0-3)

CRP 201 - The Dwelling  - R

Programming and planning for human habitation in dwellings and neighborhoods. Housing as a response to human needs. Environmental impacts and their amelioration. Building types and their impacts on programmatic needs. Examples of various housing schemes in and around Chicago.  (3-0-3)

CRP 203 - Housing and Housing Types – R

The planning of rooms, houses, and groups of houses. Analysis of climatological, physical, psychological, and social needs and their influence on the planning of housing. Government regulations, costs and financing and their impact on housing. Includes single-family detached, row housing, walk ups, and low-rise construction. Limited work in other buildings. Lectures, seminars, and drawing problems. (1-4-3)

CRP 465 - The Ecological Basis of Planning - R

The role of natural systems in meeting human needs. Natural systems. Climate, geology, land forms, soils, vegetation, and animal populations as the bases of agricultural and industrial technologies. Competing demands on air, water, and land. Limiting factors.  (3-0-3)

CRP 471 - 20th Century  Low Rise Urbanism - R

The second semester of this course examines modern innovative examples of high-density, low-rise urban form, housing and neighborhood design. The redevelopment of urban residential areas and the rapid expansion of suburbs, low-density areas with the problems of environment, traffic, pollution, land use, etc., logically call for an improved urbanism criteria. Modern low-rise, high-density examples, both built and theoretical will be selected and analyzed. Each student will take two or more examples and will prepare a report with diagrams, data, and descriptive text.  (2-2-3)

CRP 472 - Low-Rise Urbanism: House Components, Form/ Cluster Design  - R

As low-density suburbs expand so do the problems of environmental quality, land use, traffic, pollution, etc. The alternative model of high-density, low-rise, energy efficient urbanism is the subject of this course. The first semester deals with the components of the house and their assembly into unit form, the guiding principles of unit aggregation, solar orientation, gardens, access and garaging. Each student will prepare designs for unit types and diagrammatic clustering. (2-8-6)

LA 443 - Forests, Preserves, Parks, and Urbanscapes  - R

The growing need for these public site types in America in the 1800s gave rise to the landscape architecture profession. More necessary now than ever, the planning and design approach to these sites is undergoing major change. In this course students will investigate the historical and contemporary environmental and cultural relationships of the American landscape. Themes include landscape use and ecological change, regional and national landscapes, the roles of the National Park Service, state and county park and forest systems, and municipal green spaces. Case studies and analyses of specific sites.  (3-0-3)

CHEM-410: Science of Climate Change – R

This course will focus on the science underlying global warming/climate change. How can we continue to lead the good life while living in harmony with nature? Although obviously important, commercial/political aspects are not considered here. However, any serious debate about climate change issues eventually has to rest on the underlying scientific facts so we need to be informed. Ultimately the sun is our primary source of power. How do we responsibly access that power in the short, intermediate and long terms? Bio-fuels, carbon dioxide, polar ice caps, and solar power are some of the topics to be discussed. Class time will be divided between lectures and recitation. Permission of instructor required.  (2-2-3)

CHE 541 Renewable Energy Technologies  -  R

The course will cover three topics related to renewable Energy Technologies. 1. Review of renewable energy sources; solar, wind, biomass, etc. 2. Energy storage and conversion with emphasis on batteries and fuel cells 3. Hydrogen as an energy carrier and the hydrogen economy. (3-0-3)

CHE 543 Energy, Environment, Economics  - F

The linkage of energy, environmental and economic issues. The impact of energy supply and end use on human well-being and the ecosystem. A comprehensive approach to the resolution of resource, technical, economic, strategic, environmental, socio- and geopolitical problems of the energy industries. Pathways to a sustainable global energy system.  (3-0-3)

AE 464 - HVAC Systems Design - R

Study of the fundamental principles and engineering procedures for the design of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems; HVAC system characteristics; system and equipment selection; duct design and layout. Attention is given to energy conservation techniques and computer applications. (3-0-3)

CAE 465 - Building Energy Conservation Technologies - R

Identification of the optimal energy performance achievable with various types of buildings and service systems.  Reduction of infiltration. Control systems and strategies to achieve optimal energy performance. Effective utilization of daylight, heat pumps, passive and active solar heaters, heat storage and heat pipes in new and old buildings.  (3-0-3)

CAE 467 - Lighting Systems Design - R

An intensive study of the calculation techniques and qualitative aspects of good luminous design. Topics covered include: photometric quantities and color theory, visual perception, standards, daylight and artificial illumination systems, radiative transfer, fixture and lamp characteristics, control devices, and energy conservation techniques. Design problems, field measurements, computer, and other models will be used to explore major topics. (3-0-3)

ENVE 310 - Introduction to Environmental Engineering  - R

Principles and applications of engineering processes for air and water pollution control. Topics include environmental resource management and methods for environmental quality control including identification of pollution sources, effects, and controls.  (3-0-3)

ENVE 401 - Introduction to Water-Resources Engineering - R

Principles of hydraulics and water demand projections as used in the design of reservoirs, water distribution systems, and storm and sanitary sewers; aspects of water resource management and environmental engineering economics.  (3-0-3)

ENVE 404 - Water and Wastewater Engineering  - R

Principles and applications of physical, chemical, and biological processes for water and waste purification. Design of engineering treatment systems to meet water quality and effluent standards.  (3-0-3)

ENVE 463 - Introduction to Air Pollution Control - R

 Air pollution sources and characteristics of source emissions, atmospheric reactions, effects of pollutants, and techniques of emission control; legal and administrative aspects of air pollution control. (3-0-3)

ENVE 476 - Engineering Control of Industrial Hazards  - R

Design of control systems to enhance occupational safety and health; how to recognize and control existing or potential safety and health hazards.  (3-0-3)

ENVE 481 - Hazardous Waste Engineering - R

Engineering principles applied to the control of hazardous waste generation, handling, collection, transport, processing, recovery, and disposal. Treatability and design of hazardous waste treatment process.  (2-3-3)

ENVE 485 – Industrial Ecology  - F

Industrial Ecology is the study of how to manage human activity on a sustainable basis. It is an interdisciplinary field involving technology (sciences and engineering), public policy and regulatory issues, and business administration. The overall goal of this course is to promote creative and comprehensive problem solving through the application of Industrial Ecology tools such as Industrial Metabolism, Input-Output Analysis, Life Cycle Assessment, Accounting, and Design for the Environment. Same as EM 507.  (3-0-3)

ENVE 496 - Chemical Process Design II – R

Group project in process design. Integration of technical, safety, environmental, economic and societal issues in process development and design.  (3-0-3)

ENVE 545 - Environmental Regulations and Risk Assessment  - R

One third of the course is a review of current environmental regulations, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, CERCLA and the Pollution Prevention Act. The rest of the course deals with the fundamentals of risk assessment, including hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment and risk characterization for public health and ecosystems. (3-0-3)

ENVE 551 - Industrial Waste Treatment - R

Industrial waste sources and characteristics, significance of industrial waste as environmental pollutants; applications of standard and special treatment processes, including physical, chemical and biological systems.  (3-0-3)

ENVE 563 - Systems Engineering: Waste Facility Design and Operation - R

Fundamentals of systems engineering applied to wastewater facility design and operation. Modeling, simulation, optimization, techniques for biological and physicochemical treatment processes. Process analysis and control simulations, cost optimization. (3-0-3)

ENVE 570 - Air Pollution Meteorology  - R

Physical processes associated with the dispersion of windborne materials from industrial and other sources. Atmospheric motion, including turbulence and diffusion, mathematical models and environmental impact assessment. Core Course.  (3-0-3)

ENVE 577 - Design of Air Pollution Control Devices - R

Principles and modern practices employed in the design of engineering systems for the removal of pollutants. Design of control devices based on physical and chemical characteristics of polluted gas streams. (3-0-3)

ENVE 580 Hazardous Waste Engineering - R

Sources and characteristics of hazardous wastes, legal aspects of hazardous waste management, significance of hazardous wastes as air, water and soil pollutants. Principles and applications of conventional and specialized hazardous waste control technologies. (3-0-3)

ENVE 585 - Groundwater Contamination and Pollutant Transport - R
Applications of groundwater flow principles, transport phenomena, and chemical and biological processes to problems of groundwater contamination. Simulation model and case studies of current topics. (3-0-3)

MMAE 426 - Nuclear, Fossil-Fuel, and Sustainable Energy Systems  - R

Principles, technology, and hardware used for conversion of nuclear, fossil-fuel, and sustainable energy into electric power will be discussed. Thermodynamic analysis -- Rankine cycle. Design and key components of fossil-fuel power plants. Nuclear fuel, reactions, materials. Pressurized water reactors (PWR). Boiling water reactors (BWR). Canadian heavy water (CANDU) power plants. Heat transfer from the nuclear fuel elements. Introduction to two phase flow: flow regimes; models. Critical heat flux. Environmental effects of coal and nuclear power. Design of solar collectors. Direct conversion of solar energy into electricity. Wind power. Geothermal energy. Energy conservation and sustainable buildings. Enrichment of nuclear fuel. Nuclear weapons and effects of the explosions.  (3-0-3)

PS 329 - Politics of Global Warming - F

Reviews politics and policies relating to global warming using a multi-disciplinary approach. Students look at its anthropogenic causes, impacts on human society, potential mitigation strategies, and policy responses. The course also examines the different issue areas connected to global warming: the environment; public safety; national security; economics; and national prestige.  (3-0-3)

PS 338 Energy & Environmental Policy - R

Traces the economic and political implications of dependence on fossil fuels and the attempt to develop alternate energy sources and promote conservation. Assessed are the environmental effects of resource consumption and the effort to control these effects through increased efficiency and regulation of pollution. The course explores such problems as nuclear waste, acid rain, global warming, and deforestation, and examines national and international attempts at economic, political, and technological solutions.  (3-0-3)

PS 438 - Energy and Environmental Policy - R

Places energy and environmental policy in domestic and global context. The seminar traces the economic and political implications of dependence on fossil fuels, the attempt to develop alternate energy sources and promote conservation, the environmental effects of resource consumption, and the effort to control these effects through increased efficiency and regulation of pollution. Explored are such problems such as nuclear waste, acid rain, global warming, and deforestation.  (3-0-3)

SOC 359 Humans, Ecology, and Environment - F

Examines the relationship between humans and nature, including reasons for some well-known ecological catastrophes in human history. The course traces changing attitudes to the environment and explores various measures that have been offered to solve problems, for instance, the Green Revolution, sustainable development, renewable energy, "clean" technologies, and the potential social and ecological consequences of these solutions.  (3-0-3)

INTM 433 - Manufacturing Processes for Chemical and Process Systems  - R

This course will cover materials and manufacturing based on process systems. This would include painting, anodizing, plating, plastic preparation, plastics manufacturing, cleaning, etc., along with the processes for producing the chemicals involved. Environmental and hazardous material issues are of importance and "green systems" that minimize the use of resources are encouraged. OSH, EPA, and other regulatory systems will be covered. The industrial structure that makes up this sector of manufacturing will be covered.  (3-0-3)

INTM 460 - The Carbon Economy - F

The world's economy is highly dependent on fossil fuel removed from the ground as coal, oil, or natural gas. Population and economic growth are expected to increase dependence on these carbon resources. Concerns about global warming caused by increasing levels of carbon dioxide require consideration of approaches to mitigate the impact. This course examines current approaches to mitigating the problems through increased energy efficiency and sequestering the carbon. Also covered are approaches using biomass and agricultural wastes to provide renewable carbon sources.  (3-0-3)

INTM 461 - Energy Options for Industry – R

Carbon-based fuels are a limited resource and within decades will be in very short supply. Associated energy costs will increase and industry will be required to incorporate alternate fuels and/or power sources, such as uranium (for nuclear power), hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, wave, solar, etc. This course presents such energy options and explores the anticipated impact on industry.  (3-0-3)

EM 507 Industrial Ecology – F

This course introduces the students the philosophy of Industrial Ecology, and how this systems-based approach can move society toward a more sustainable future. Industrial Ecology is an interdisciplinary field involving technology (science and engineering), public policy and regulatory issues, and business administration. The major goal of this course is to promote creative and comprehensive problem solving as it might be applied to product, business and systems models. The course introduces tools such as Industrial Metabolism, Input-Output Analysis, Life Cycle Assessment, and Design for the Environment. Individual and team projects are a significant part of the learning experience in this course. Same as ENVE 485 (3-0-3)

EM 508 - Sustainable Metrics and Environmental Management System Design - F

 Strategies and environmental management tools, techniques essential  for meeting organization's sustainability goals and objectives are provided. Topics discussed include development of sustainable metrics and performance indicators, design of environmental management system programs, greening the supply-chain, focusing on operations; manufacturing processes; efficiency; innovation and the use of green technologies to prevent emissions or treat residuals. (3-0-3)

EM 516 - Water Policy & Management – F

This course provides an overview of the primary elements involved with the global use of water resources focusing on issues such as irrigation, water supply system management, sanitation, flood control, and hydropower. An analysis of the underlying issues associated with effective use and adoption of water policies including implementation, operation, and potential social problems are presented and environmental concerns with effective management of water resources are discussed. Methods and techniques used for design and adoption of a comprehensive policy framework that facilitate the consideration of relationships between the ecosystem and socioeconomic activities, and the treatment of water as an economic good is presented. The analysis focuses on social, environmental, and economic objectives. (3-0-3)

EM 517 Environmental and Occupational Risk Assessments and Management – R

The course provides an overview of the tools and techniques used to (1) assess environmental (human health), ecological, and occupational risks associated with exposure to environmental pollutants resulting from natural phenomena, economic development and industrial growth, (2) examine current risk management and mitigation methods and strategies, and (3) design visonary risk management strategies grounded on a framework of operations in line with the principles of sustainable development. (3-0-3)

EM 520 Issues in Global Sustainability – F

The increasing complexity of environmental problems warrants an integrated multidisciplinary approach to developing management strategies for local, regional and global sustainability. This course provides an overview and analysis of some of the most significant environmental issues facing communities across the planet including water availability, air pollution, ecosystem degradation and climate change. The objectives of the course are to (1) identify and evaluate the severity of current and emerging environmental challenges impacting societies around the world; (2) understand the linkages among scientific, economic and social dimension of these issues; (3) gain a real-world perspective on developing viable technical, policy and business solutions to these problems; and (4) practice effective research and communications skills by collaborating on a group project.  (3-0-3)

EM 525 - Sustainable Communities -  F

Sustainable communities are defined as places that meet the diverse needs of existing and future residents, are sensitive to their environment, and contribute to a high quality of life. This course examines the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability in communities -- large and small, urban and rural. Sustainability principles, policies, and programs that encourage and guide community initiative are analyzed. Case studies on a variety of topics from community energy, to green development, to sustainable business are studied and compared. Innovative strategies are research for creating communities that are more environmentally sound, economically prosperous, and socially equitable. Some of the major themes explored in the context of sustainable communities are indicators of sustainability, green building, urban sprawl, air quality, water efficiency, climate change, sustainable energy and transportation policies, security and disaster planning and demographic trends.  (3-0-3)

EM 530 - Energy, Environment, Economics  - F

This course deals with the linkage of energy, environmental and economic issues. The impact of energy supply and end-use on human well-being and the ecosystem is covered. It also includes a comprehensive approach to the resolution of resource, technical, economic, strategic, environmental, socio-and geopolitical problems of the energy industries. In addition, pathways to a sustainable global energy system are presented. (3-0-3)

EM 541 - Issues in Global Sustainability - F

The increasing complexity of environmental problems warrants an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to developing management strategies for local, regional and global sustainability. This course provides an overview and analysis of some of the most significant environmental issues facing communities across the planet including water availability, air pollution, ecosystem degradation and climate change. The objectives of the course are to: (1) identify and evaluate the severity of current and emerging environmental challenges impacting societies around the world; (2) understand the linkages among scientific, economic and social dimensions of these issues; (3) gain a real-world perspective on developing viable technical, policy and business solutions to these problems; and (4) practice effective research and communication skills by collaborating on a group project. (3-0-3)

EM 554 Environment, Economics and Climate Change – F

An overview of the modeling market process is provided focusing on externalities, environmental problems, and environmental quality. Economics solution to environmental problems is discussed using a market approach which includes modeling emission charges, modeling a product charge, modeling per unit subsidy on pollution reduction and modeling pollution permit trading systems and practice. Course examines intuitive economic solutions to address environmental problems such as climate change, global warming, and water scarcity. (3-0-3)

EM 590 Business Strategy: The Sustainable Enterprise -  F

This course integrates environmental management issues with use of strategic planning tools for assessing and responding to the driving forces of the "next" economy: globalization, technology, demographics and the environment. The course looks at the challenge of corporations competing in the global economy of the new millennium in such a way that will allow the planet to support them indefinitely. Emphasis is on the company's ability to build and sustain a competitive advantage utilizing traditional management concepts as well as new sustainability practices. Topics include: The Natural Step, the "Base of the Pyramid" strategy, the "servicizing" concept, the biomimicry; and various case studies showing how an enterprise can meet the "triple bottom line" while guest speakers present real world examples. Prerequisite: Capstone course requires enrollment in the last semester of program or approval of program director. (3-0-3)

Law 232 Energy Law - R

This course offers a basic overview of the legal framework within which the production, distribution and sale of energy takes place. It is offered as part of the Program in Environmental and Energy Law but is open to all students. After a brief introduction to scientific concepts of energy and the history of energy technology, the course will survey the major sources of energy. The traditional sources have been oil, natural gas and coal converted to consumer products such as electricity and gasoline. Newer sources include nuclear and solar energy. Each source and delivery system has its own network of property rules and contract relationships. National energy policy will be reviewed and the impact of interregional competition on the regulation of energy will be studied, as will constitutional and economic concepts affecting the pricing of energy. Particular emphasis will be placed on energy issues in environmental law. Three credit hours.

Law  401 Land Use  -R

A course exploring land use controls such as zoning and subdivision regulations as exercised by local and state governmental units. The course analyzes the history of land use controls and explores topics such as flexibility and discretion, improper influence and corruption, alternative land use control schemes, suburban zoning and racial/economic exclusion, environmental protection by land use schemes, and growth control. In the process of exploring land use controls, the course analyzes the local institutions and procedures, constitutional issues, and the question of when an improper taking of property occurs in our legal system. Three credit hours.

Law 426 Environmental Law and Policy 1 – R

This course examines the scientific, economic, and ethical foundations of environmental law and policy and introduces the student to many of the major biodiversity conservation and pollution control regulatory programs. The role of courts in policing environmental regulation and decision-making is also covered. The course will take an interdisciplinary approach, looking at history, economic theory and analysis, and other disciplines. The course covers the common law origins of environmental protection, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and Superfund. The course examines the substance of the Acts and uses them as vehicles for exploring complex statutory schemes, administrative policy-making, market environmental controls, the interplay of federal and state environmental programs, benefit-cost analysis, risk analysis, and environmental litigation. This is the first semester of a two-semester course sequence. While it is required for students concentrating in Environmental and Energy Law, it is open to all students. The course can be taken without the second semester course. Three credit hours.

Law 441 Environmental Law and Policy 2 -R

This is the second semester of a two-semester course sequence. While it is required for students in the Program in Environmental and Energy Law, it is open to all students. Environmental Law and Policy 1 is not a prerequisite. The course emphasizes the Clean Air Act as a vehicle for exploring complex statutory schemes, administrative policy-making, market environmental controls, the interplay of federal and state environmental programs, benefit-cost analysis, risk analysis, and environmental litigation. The course will also examine global warming and the broader concept of climate change. Two credit hours.

Law 472 Natural Resources Law - R

This course covers the legal regimes that control the choices that individuals and society make about the use of natural resources. These resources include water, public lands dedicated to mining, timber production, recreation and preservation, and renewable living resources such fish stocks. The course will emphasize the tension between regimes put in place in the 19th century to encourage the exploitation of natural resources for human benefit and legacy of the environmental movement with emphasis on conservation, mitigation, and preservation. Three credit hours.

Law 521 Environmental Law Clinic - R

The Environmental Law Clinic will help students develop their lawyering skills by giving them the opportunity to represent individuals and community organizations with environmental concerns. Students will interview clients, represent clients in meetings with corporations and government officials, and represent clients in court. Cases range from assisting an individual who discovers she has lead paint in her home to helping communities with problems arising from active facilities, abandoned sites, and proposed facilities. The class sessions will provide an opportunity to observe and practice lawyering skills, develop an understanding of the key substantive environmental law areas involved in the clinic's work, and discuss ongoing cases. Students are required to perform 10 hours a week of fieldwork for the 3-credit version of the clinic, and 12 hours a week of fieldwork for the 4-credit version, in addition to the classroom component. Students are required to perform 5 hours a week of fieldwork for the 1-credit version. The clinic is open to 8 students each semester. If a selection process is necessary, you will be notified regarding the interview process after you register for the class. There are no course prerequisites for this clinic. Students must have completed 30 credit hours to take the Clinic. One, three, or four credit hours.

Law 588 Environmental Law Externship - R

Students in the Program in Environmental and Energy Law have the opportunity to explore environmental opportunities in the public and public interest sectors. These externships help students develop their legal research and writing skills and substantive knowledge of environmental law. Externships are currently available at several government agencies and public interest groups: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Office, the Illinois Attorney General's Office (Environmental Division), the City of Chicago Law Department (Environmental Unit), the State's Attorney's office (Environmental Division), the Illinois Pollution Control Board, the Chicago Legal Clinic, the Lake Michigan Federation, the Illinois Commerce Commission, and the Environmental Law and Policy Center for the Midwest. Students should contact Professor Gross for more information about enrolling in this externship. Four credit hours.

Law 606 Water Resources Law - R

This seminar examines the legal regime that governs the allocation and management of surface and ground water in the United States and on international rivers and aquifers. The class will cover the two basic allocation regimes in the United States -- riparian rights and prior appropriation -- and a variety of current topics. These include the capacity of the legal system to adapt to global climate change, the emergence of a human right to water, the impact of environmental laws on the right to divert water, the management of the Great Lakes, and the special rights of Indian Tribes.

Law 624 Current Issues in Environmental Law - R

This seminar will address cutting-edge issues in a variety of environmental law areas. Among the topics that may be addressed are land use and land transfers, environmental implications of corporate transactions, facility citing, public participation, environmental justice, environmental enforcement matters, and Brownfields.

Law 627 Climate Change (formerly Energy and Climate) - R

Our many and varied ways of using energy are the principal sources of the greenhouse gases that are affecting the world's climate. The seminar will examine the impact of energy on climate, and the impact of climate on energy; particularly the growing number of state laws and congressional proposals to mitigate climate change by changing the legal rules regarding the use of energy.

Law 657 International Environmental Law R

This seminar examines the emerging legal regime that governs transboundary and global environmental degradation. Issues include customary restraints on state actions which injure another state or the global commons, international treaty regimes for ocean pollution, biodiversity conservation and global climate change mitigation, and the link between trade and environmental protection. The seminar also examines the ethical, economic and governance issues raised by international environmental protection.

Law 688 Making Chicago: Law, Politics, and Urban Planning in the Second City - R

This seminar explores the ways in which law and public policy - local, state, and federal - have shaped Chicago from the city's nineteenth century beginnings through today. Drawing on the analytical tools of local government law and urban history, we will examine the social, economic, demographic, and political development of the Chicago metropolitan area. Topics include: urban economic development; crime, policing, and the justice system; community organization and activism; the regulation of land use; urban renewal policy; the rise and fall of public housing; the persistence of racial and ethnic divisions; the civil rights movement in Chicago; city-suburb relations and regional planning efforts; transportation; city schooling; gentrification and urban redevelopment; the historic preservation movement; and local environmental policy. Throughout the seminar, we will consider, in both historical and contemporary perspective, the role of the city in the American legal system and the costs and benefits of localized governmental power.

ID 598 - Social Sustainability - R

This new seminar will familiarize students with a range of current design and research issues in the area of 'social sustainability'. Sustainability involves complex social questions – for example, environmental issues such as preserving nature or conserving resources involve an intersection of private and public interests, local and global impacts, present and future stakeholders. Design and research has an important role to play in framing and negotiating the kinds of ‘wicked’ problems of sustainable development, as well as influencing priorities, decisions and processes. The course will survey a range of approaches to sustainable product, interaction, service and system design.

A selection of interdisciplinary topics, drawing on sociology, policy and futures studies, will be treated in some depth, as a discussion of the role of design in relation to social change, transition management, and social innovation. The seminar will provide a platform -- through a core set of readings, examples and lectures -- for students to discuss case studies in the area. The course may include guest experts and local field trips. (Variable credit)

ECE 538 - Renewable Energies  - F

Various renewable energy sources such as solar systems, wind powered systems, ocean tides, ocean waves, and ocean thermal are presented. Their operational principles are addressed. Grid connected interfaces for such systems are explained. Research and Simulation mini-projects with emphasis on either machine design, or power electronic circuit analysis, design, and controls, or grid connected renewable systems are assigned to student groups.(3-0-3)

ECE 548 - Energy Harvesting - R

Various harvesting techniques such as solar, ocean ides, vibration, linear motion, radio frequency, passive and active human power generation are presented. Their operational principles are addressed. Research and simulations mini-projects with emphasis on power electronic circuit analysis, design, and controls are assigned to student groups. (3-0-3)

ECE 580 Elements of Sustainable Energy - F

This course covers cross-disciplinary subjects on sustainable energy that relate to energy generation, transmission, distribution, and delivery as well as theories, technologies, design, policies, and integration of sustainable energy. Topics include wind energy, solar energy, biomass, hydro, nuclear energy, and ocean energy. Focus will be on the integration of sustainable energy into the electric power grid, the impact of sustainable energy on electricity market operation, and the environmental impact of sustainable energy. (3-0-3)

ECE 582 - Microgrid Design and Operation - R

Microgrids are the entities that are composed of at least one distributed energy resource and associated loads which not only operates safely and efficiently within the local power distribution network but also can form intentional islands in electrical distribution systems. This course covers the fundamentals of designing and operating microgrids including generation resources for microgrids, demand response for microgrids, protection of microgrids, reliability of microgrids, optimal operation and control of microgrids, regulation and policies pertaining to microgrids, interconnection for microgrids, power quality of microgrids, and microgrid test beds.(3-0-3)

ECE 764 - Vehicular Power Systems - R

Conventional electrical power systems of land, sea, air, and space vehicles are detailed along with the scope for improvement. New electrical loads and advanced distribution system architectures of electric and hybrid electric vehicles are presented. Current trends in the vehicular industry, such as 42V automotive systems and more electric aircraft, are explained. (2-0-2)