About this course: This course is designed to introduce students to the issues of energy in the 21st century – including food and fuels – which are inseparably linked – and will discuss energy production and utilization from the biology, engineering, economics, climate science, and social science perspectives. This course will cover the current production and utilization of energy, as well as the consequences of this use, examining finite fossil energy reserves, how food and energy are linked, impacts on the environment and climate, and the social and economic impacts of our present energy and food production and use. After the introductory lectures, we will examine the emerging field of sustainable energy, fuel and food production, emphasizing the importance of developing energy efficient and sustainable methods of production, and how these new technologies can contribute to replacing the diminishing supplies of fossil fuels, and reduce the consequences of carbon dioxide release into the environment. This course will also cover the importance of creating a sustainable energy future for all societies including those of the developing world. Lectures will be prepared and delivered by leading UC San Diego and Scripps Institution of Oceanography faculty and industry professionals across these areas of expertise.
Created by: University of California San Diego
Taught by: Dr. Stephen Mayfield, Professor of Molecular Biology
University of California San Diego
| Commitment | 45 hours of videos, quizzes and peer reviews |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Spanish |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
General Course Materials
Course overview materials, including syllabus, lecturer information, grading criteria, and external notices and resources.
7 readings
- Reading: Syllabus
- Reading: How to Use Discussion Forums
- Reading: Glossary
- Reading: Social Media Resources
- Reading: Lecturers
- Reading: Get to Know Your Classmates
- Reading: Additional Opportunities
Introduction to Energy
Introduces the basics of energy, covers finite energy sources like petroleum, looks at how energy and food are related, and examines the scale of current and future energy consumption and what renewable energy options can meet that demand.
10 videos, 5 readings
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Introduction to Energy Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Energy and Modern Agriculture Part 1
- Video: Energy and Modern Agriculture Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Petroleum Part 1
- Video: Petroleum Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Energy by the Numbers Part 1
- Video: Energy by the Numbers Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: What Scales to Meet Energy Demand? Part 1
- Video: What Scales to Meet Energy Demand? Part 2
Graded: Introduction to Energy Quiz
WEEK 2
Physical Energy Sources
Looks at some of the alternative energy options from the physical sciences domain, including wind energy, photovoltaic and photothermal energy, and nuclear energy. It also covers energy storage and electric vehicles, and energy efficiency and smart grid technologies.
12 videos, 6 readings
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Future Energy Needs and Consequences from a Physical Sciences Perspective Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Wind Power and Turbine Technologies Part 1
- Video: Wind Power and Turbine Technologies Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: The Future of Nuclear Energy Part 1
- Video: The Future of Nuclear Energy Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Photovoltaic and Photothermal Energy Production Part 1
- Video: Photovoltaic and Photothermal Energy Production Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Electric Vehicles and Storage Technologies Part 1
- Video: Electric Vehicles and Storage Technologies Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Energy Efficiency and Smart Grid Part 1
- Video: Energy Efficiency and Smart Grid Part 2
Graded: Physical Energy Sources Quiz
Graded: Peer Review: Carbon Footprint
WEEK 3
Introduction to Biological Energy Sources
Provides an overview of the different biological energy sources including plants and algae. It explains what biofuels are, how they are produced, and the pros and cons of different biological sources.
2 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Where Do We Go From Here? Biological Energy Options Part 2
WEEK 4
Plant Biofuel
Discusses various plant-based fuels including corn ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, and jatropha biodiesel. It will cover the different technologies used, the pros and cons of each source, and current production around the world.
6 videos, 3 readings
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Corn Ethanol Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Cellulosic Ethanol Part 1
- Video: Cellulosic Ethanol Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Jatropha Part 1
- Video: Jatropha Part 2
Graded: Intro to Biological Energy Sources and Plant Biofuel Quiz
WEEK 5
Algae Biofuel
Examines different algae used for biofuel production including cyanobacteria, diatoms, and green algae. It looks at how these organisms are different and why they are used to produce biofuels and bio-products. Additionally, the module covers the different tools and technologies used in research and production including bio-prospecting, genetics, synthetic biology, and metabolic engineering.
9 videos, 5 readings
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Cyanobacteria Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Diatoms Part 1
- Video: Diatoms Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Green Algae
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Bio-prospecting, Genetics, and Synthetic Biology of Algae Part 1
- Video: Bio-prospecting, Genetics, and Synthetic Biology of Algae Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Metabolic Engineering of Algae, Part 1
- Video: Metabolic Engineering of Algae, Part 2
Graded: Midterm Exam
WEEK 6
Biofuel Production and Downstream Processing
Covers the chemistry of biodiesel, looks at the different thermochemical processes used to convert biomass to fuel, and examines renewable biogas. It also looks at the production process of algae biofuel, how and why nutrient utilization and recycling is important in biofuel production, and the relationship between biofuel and water.
11 videos, 6 readings
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Biodiesel Chemistry and Analysis Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass to Fuel Part 1
- Video: Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass to Fuel Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Biogas Part 1
- Video: Biogas Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Production Processes for Biofuels from Algae Part 1
- Video: Production Processes for Biofuels from Algae Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Nutrient Utilization and Recycling Part 1
- Video: Nutrient Utilization and Recycling Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Biofuel and Water
Graded: Biofuel Production and Downstream Processing Quiz
WEEK 7
Social Issues, Economics, and Politics
Examines how energy production and use affects the economy, our wellbeing, and our heath. It will also look at how energy impacts the poorest communities, the external costs of traditional energy, and how we can regulate energy and incentivize renewable energy. Additionally, this section identifies what a Life Cyle Assessment is and how it is used with renewable and non-renewable fuels. Lastly, it looks at the United States’ past and present energy policies, and the current state of international policy on climate change.
16 videos, 7 readings
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Economic and Social Impact of Energy Production and Use Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: The Importance of Energy for the Bottom Billion Part 1
- Video: The Importance of Energy for the Bottom Billion Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Economics of Energy Part 1
- Video: Economics of Energy Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Regulation of Energy Use and Energy Efficiency Part 1
- Video: Regulation of Energy Use and Energy Efficiency Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Energy Services for the Remote Communities of Nepal Part 1
- Video: Energy Services for the Remote Communities of Nepal Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Lifecycle Assessment of Fossil and Renewable Fuels Part 1
- Video: Lifecycle Assessment of Fossil and Renewable Fuels Part 2
- Video: Policy Impacts on Renewable Energy Industries, Part 1
- Video: Policy Impacts on Renewable Energy Industries, Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: International Politics of Climate Change Part 1
- Video: International Politics of Climate Change Part 2
Graded: Social Issues, Economics, and Politics Quiz
Graded: Peer Review: Local Energy Solutions
WEEK 8
Climate Change
Looks at the history of research on how carbon dioxide causes climate change, the key points of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s reporting, and how climate change is portrayed in the media. Also, it discusses the importance of decreasing Short-lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) to mitigate climate change and some possible solutions to reduce these pollutants produced by the poorest communities. Additionally, this section looks at how climate change has affected California’s water and energy use, and how climate change threatens global food security.
8 videos, 4 readings
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Climate Change and the Impact of Carbon Dioxide Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: A New Approach for Slowing Down Climate Change and Sea Level Rise in the Near-term Part 1
- Video: A New Approach for Slowing Down Climate Change and Sea Level Rise in the Near-term Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Climate Change and Water in California Part 1
- Video: Climate Change and Water in California Part 2
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Video: Climate Change and Food Security Part 1
- Video: Climate Change and Food Security Part 2
Graded: Final Exam
WEEK 9
Office Hours
Recordings of live office hours from Dr. Mayfield and other course lecturers.
10 videos
- Video: Office Hours - Physical Energy Sources with George Tynan
- Video: Office Hours - Physical Energy Sources with Bill Torre
- Video: Office Hours - Introduction to Biological Energy Sources with Susan Golden
- Video: Office Hours- Algae Biofuel with Stephen Mayfield
- Video: Office Hours - Biofuel Production and Downstream Processing with Skip Pomeroy
- Video: Office Hours - Biofuel Production and Downstream Processing with Rob McBride
- Video: Office Hours - Social Issues, Economics, and Politics with Mark Jacobsen
- Video: Office Hours - Social Issues, Economics, and Politics with David Victor
- Video: Office Hours - Climate Change with Stephen Mayfield
FAQs
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Coursework
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University of California San Diego
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Ratings and Reviews
This is an introductory course to sustainable energy. Its a good place to begin with
A very detailed analysis of the present scenario of energy and also what our energy future will be like. Excellent presentations by the various scientists and teachers on the various energy fields. Great Q&A sessions by Steven Mayfield. Great Course.
Very knowledgeable.......very informative
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NW
A lot of really great material, and the Week 9 "Office Hours" are well worth the time. The course would benefit from mentoring and perhaps some more recent data,