An Innovative Sustainability Course for Fall 2012!

MWF 10-11am plus weekly lab sections
CCN 48503
Prerequisites: none

fiat lux: preserving UC’s past and reinventing it’s future

Featuring the 2012 On the Same Page theme, this course examines the science behind UC’s sustainable future. Real sustainability depends not only on good intentions, but also on sound science and an understanding of the various disciplines needed to effectively manage natural resources. Building on fundamental environmental science concepts such as climate, the hydrologic cycle, and biogeography, this course covers key principles in local and global sustainability issues, while introducing students to local urban nature and aquatic ecosystems. Hands-on, weekly field exercises feature trips to UC Berkeley’s own Strawberry Creek and Strawberry Canyon—ideal outdoor laboratories for learning about hydrologic and ecological processes, including physical and biological changes that occurred during the transformation from wild creek to urban stream. We also visit several Berkeley state-of-the-art sustainability projects, including innovative stormwater management sites, energy monitoring technology, modern buildings, and water-saving landscaping design features. This course provides the scientific basis for sustainable design in a fun, hands-on learning environment.

The course is taught by Professor Matt Kondolf, a fluvial geomorphologist, and would be of interest to students in environmental science, public health, city planning, health sciences, environmental economics, geography, earth sciences, landscape architecture, architecture, international relations, and more. It would also be of interest to undeclared students exploring different disciplines. The course meets the biological sciences breadth requirement for L&S students (all majors) and CED students (landscape architecture majors only).