MUM courses:
- Energy Use by Man and Nature
- Hands On Course In Sustainable Technologies
- Permaculture Design Certification
- Sustainability Forest Academy
- Artisan Foods and the Slow Food Movement
- Local Economy
Grinnell College courses:
Resource Center
Course Objectives
Course Objectives
- Understand the physics of energy and power. Be able to perform simple calculations and to convert units of energy from one measure to another - ex convert British Thermal Units (BTU) to kilowatt-hours (kwh)
- Understand the laws of thermodynamics, with emphasis on the practical consequences of the second law.
- Understand the concept of energy efficiency
- Understand and be able to discuss the role of energy in the natural world
- Understand the primary role of solar energy in the support of life on Earth.
- Understand and be able to discuss ecosystem services and the flows of energy involved in the provision of ecosystem services
- Understand the broad outlines of the flow of energy in the human economy, including typical efficiencies of conversion, transport, and end use.
- Understand the basic technologies for using renewable energy in the human economy and their theoretical upper limit efficiencies
- Be able to discuss the social, cultural, political, and economic aspects (including justice issues) regarding the widespread implementation of renewables
- Get experience in digital media and wikis through the development of a wiki that documents renewable energy initiatives at the College and in the larger Grinnell community.
- Get hands-on experience in a variety of renewable energy technologies, including making biodiesel, photovoltaics, wind power, and more.
- Get experience in forming public policy regarding renewable energy