Earth Resources and the Environment
ESE 109
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
The course provides an overview of Earth’s energy resources, with emphasize on the factors that control their global distributions and uses in our society. Lectures and labs will emphasize methods used to identify and exploit resources, as well as the environmental impact of these operations. Topics include: coal and acid rain; oil & natural gas, photochemical smog, oil spills; unconventional fossil resources (shale gas, tar sands); greenhouse gas emissions and climate; nuclear power and radioactive hazards; solar, hydroelectric, tidal, and geothermal power; energy storage (methane, hydrogen); and key materials (rare earth metals, lithium) required for the energy transition. Labs will emphasize datasets and tools (drilling methods, satellite remote sensing data, and subsurface imaging techniques) for discovering and developing resources, and assessing and mitigating environmental impacts.
Course Notes
Course includes three hours of laboratory work each week and two field trips. ESE 109 is also offered as EPS 109. Students may not take both for credit. Undergraduate engineering students should enroll in ESE 109. Given in alternate years.
Recommended Prep
EPS 10, ESE/EPS 6, an equivalent course, or permission of instructor.
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
NOTE: This course requires additional sections; you will be prompted to choose secondary components during the Add to Cart process
