Energy and the Environment

(Online | Instructor-led | 3 credits)
This course explores how energy moves through natural systems and how human energy use intersects with environmental change. Students will study Earth's major systems—geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere—and how energy flows within and between them. Key energy-related environmental impacts are examined, including greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. The course also introduces both renewable and non-renewable energy sources, evaluating their benefits, limitations, and future potential in a climate-constrained world.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Summarize the concept of energy.
- Recognize the scale of global energy consumption.
- Describe the physical characteristics and energy relationships of Earth’s systems and the influence of human activities.
- Explain the hydrologic, carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus cycles, and assess how energy use impacts these cycles.
- Describe the applications, advantages, and disadvantages of non-renewable energy sources such as coal, oil, gas, unconventional hydrocarbons, and nuclear power.
- Identify renewable energy sources currently in use or development.
- Describe the benefits and limitations of renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, ocean, hydroelectric, geothermal, and bioenergy.
- Discuss key factors to consider when integrating renewable energy into current energy systems.

Prerequisite: None
Course Hours: 45
Credits: 3

This course counts toward the Climate Change Micro credential and the Sustainable Energy Technology diploma.