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All iEarth Courses

iEarth is a framework for learning about the intersection between humans and our planet. iEarth brings together courses at the intersections between natural systems, social systems and human expression, and divides courses into thematic Clusters. You can see all the iEarth courses below or go into the Clusters given above - Energy, Food, Oceans, Risk.

Find your Ways while exploring what it means to live on planet Earth.

EARTHSYS 106

World Food Economy (EARTHSYS 206, ECON 106, ECON 206, ESS 106, ESS 206)

Unit(s)

The economics of food production, consumption, and trade. The micro- and macro- determinants of food supply and demand, including the...

SI

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EARTHSYS 181

Urban Agriculture in the Developing World (EARTHSYS 281, ESS 181, ESS 281, URBANST 181)

Unit(s)

In this advanced undergraduate course, students will learn about some of the key social and environmental challenges faced by cities in the...

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ESS 42

The Global Warming Paradox II (EARTHSYS 42)

Unit(s)

Further discussion of the complex climate challenges posed by the substantial benefits of energy consumption, including the critical tension...

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BIOHOPK 265

The Extreme Life of the Sea (BIOHOPK 165H)

Unit(s)

(Graduate students register for 265H). Lecture course that explores the way marine species live in extreme ocean habitats. We will cover the...

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GEOPHYS 80

The Energy-Water Nexus (EARTHSYS 140)

Unit(s)

Energy, water, and food are our most vital resources constituting a tightly intertwined network: energy production requires water, transporting...

AQR

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ANTHRO 169

The Ecology of Cuisine: Food, Nutrition, and the Evolution of the Human Diet (ANTHRO 269)

Unit(s)

This course is an interdisciplinary approach to understanding human food consumption and nutrition, incorporating biological, evolutionary,...

SI SMA

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EE 151

Sustainable Energy Systems

Unit(s)

Energy demand is expected to grow by 30% by 2025, while at the same time the European Union is demanding a carbon footprint at 1990 levels. We...

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BIOHOPK 182

Stanford at Sea (BIOHOPK 323H, EARTHSYS 323, ESS 323)

Unit(s)

(Graduate students register for 323H.) Five weeks of marine science including oceanography, marine physiology, policy, maritime studies,...

SMA

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EARTHSYS 323

Stanford at Sea (BIOHOPK 182H, BIOHOPK 323H, ESS 323)

Unit(s)

(Graduate students register for 323H.) Five weeks of marine science including oceanography, marine physiology, policy, maritime studies,...

SMA

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APPPHYS 219

Solid State Physics Problems in Energy Technology

Unit(s)

Technology issues for a secure energy future; role of solid state physics in energy technologies. Topics include the physics principles behind...

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CHEMENG 35

Renewable Energy for a Sustainable World

Unit(s)

Preference to freshmen. Organized to prepare a renewable energy plan for California. Energy concepts and quantitation approaches are learned,...

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POLISCI 19

Politics of Energy Efficiency

Unit(s)

We will examine the political context of energy efficiency and climate change. Why are some countries, such as Japan and France, able to achieve...

SI

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CHEMENG 70

Masters of Disaster

Unit(s)

Preference to sophomores. For students interested in science, engineering, politics, and the law. Learn from past disasters to avoid future ones....

AQR

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CEE 29

Managing Natural Disaster Risk

Unit(s)

Natural disasters arise from the interaction of natural processes, such as earthquakes or floods, with human development that suffers safety-...

AQR

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EARTHSYS 118

Heritage, Environment, and Sovereignty in Hawaii (ANTHRO 118)

Unit(s)

This course explores the cultural, political economic, and environmental status of contemporary Hawaiians. What sorts of sustainable economic and...

ED

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HUMBIO 166

Food and Society: Exploring Eating Behaviors in Social, Environmental, and Policy Context (CHPR 166)

Unit(s)

The material in this course is an introduction to the field and the target audience is undergraduates. It may be of interest to graduate students...

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MS&E 295

Energy Policy Analysis

Unit(s)

Design and application of formal analytical methods for policy and technology assessments of energy efficiency and renewable energy options....

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ME 185

Electric Vehicle Design

Unit(s)

This project based class focuses on the design and prototyping of electric vehicles. Students learn the fundamentals of vehicle design in class...

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AA 116

Electric Automobiles and Aircraft

Unit(s)

Transportation accounts for nearly one-third of American energy use and greenhouse gas emissions and three-quarters of American oil consumption....

AQR SMA

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EARTHSYS 56

Changes in the Coastal Ocean: The View From Monterey and San Francisco Bays (ESS 56Q)

Unit(s)

Preference to sophomores. Recent changes in the California current, using Monterey Bay as an example. Current literature introduces principles of...

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GSBGEN 557

Authenticity in Markets: The Case of the Wine Industry

Unit(s)

Evidence has mounted that consumer care about issues of authenticity in many kinds of markets. This seminar explores the meanings of authenticity...

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Autumn 2017-2018

EE 60

Man versus Nature: Coping with Disasters Using Space Technology (GEOPHYS 60N)

4 Unit(s)

Preference to freshman. Natural hazards, earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, hurricanes, and fires, and how they affect people and society; great...

SMA

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Autumn 2017-2018

PHYSICS 240

Introduction to the Physics of Energy

Laughlin, R.

3 Unit(s)

Energy as a consumable. Forms and interconvertability. World Joule budget. Equivalents in rivers, oil pipelines and nuclear weapons. Quantum...

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Autumn 2017-2018

BIO 3

Frontiers in Marine Biology

Thompson, S.

1 Unit(s)

An introduction to contemporary research in marine biology, including ecology, conservation biology, environmental toxicology, behavior,...

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Autumn 2017-2018

EARTHSYS 61

Food and security (ESS 61Q, INTNLREL 61Q)

Naylor, R., Stedman, S.

3 Unit(s)

The course will provide a broad overview of key policy issues concerning agricultural development and food security, and will assess how global...

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Spring 2017-2018

ENERGY 123

When Technology Meets Reality; An In-depth Look at the Deepwater Horizon Blowout and Oil Spill

1 Unit(s)

The Deepwater Horizon blowout and spill in April 2010 occurred on one of the most advanced deepwater drilling rigs in the world operated by one of...

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Spring 2017-2018

EARTHSYS 103

Understanding Energy (CEE 107A, CEE 207A)

Knapp, K., Woodward, J., Ginnebaugh, D., Grubert, E., Stasio, K.

3-5 Unit(s)

Energy is a fundamental driver of human development and opportunity. At the same time, our energy system has significant consequences for our...

SI

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Spring 2017-2018

ENVRES 220

The Social Ocean: Ocean Conservation, Management, and Policy

Green, K., Santana, F.

1-2 Unit(s)

This interdisciplinary seminar examines current ocean issues and ideas through a series of readings, discussions, and guest lecturer presentations...

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Spring 2017-2018

EARTHSYS 8

The Oceans: An Introduction to the Marine Environment (ESS 8)

Joy-Warren, H., Arrigo, K.

4 Unit(s)

The course will provide a basic understanding of how the ocean functions as a suite of interconnected ecosystems, both naturally and under the...

SMA

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Spring 2017-2018

HUMBIO 113

The Human-Plant Connection

Preston, K.

3 Unit(s)

The intertwined biologies of humans and plants, particularly the ways in which people and plants have imposed selection pressures and ecological...

SMA

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Spring 2017-2018

ENERGY 104

Sustainable Energy for 9 Billion

Brandt, A., Benson, S., Aounallah, K.

3 Unit(s)

This course explores the transition to a sustainable energy system at large scales (national and global), and over long time periods (decades)....

AQR

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Spring 2017-2018

GEOPHYS 20

Predicting Volcanic Eruptions

3 Unit(s)

The physics and chemistry of volcanic processes and modern methods of volcano monitoring. Volcanoes as manifestations of the Earth's internal...

AQR SMA

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Spring 2017-2018

ESS 46

Exploring the Critical Interface between the Land and Monterey Bay: Elkhorn Slough (EARTHSYS 46N)

Francis, C.

3 Unit(s)

Preference to freshmen. Field trips to sites in the Elkhorn Slough, a small agriculturally impacted estuary that opens into Monterey Bay, a model...

SMA

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Spring 2017-2018

CEE 176

Electric Power: Renewables and Efficiency

Masters, G.

3-4 Unit(s)

This course introduces analysis, sizing and performance estimations (electrical and financial) of renewable energy systems on both sides of the...

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Spring 2017-2018

EARTHSYS 113

Earthquakes and Volcanoes (GEOPHYS 90)

3 Unit(s)

Is the "Big One" overdue in California? What kind of damage would that cause? What can we do to reduce the impact of such hazards in urban...

AQR SMA

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Spring 2017-2018

CEE 175

California Coast: Science, Policy, and Law (CEE 275A)

Boehm, A., Sivas, D., Boehm, A., Sivas, D.

3-4 Unit(s)

This interdisciplinary course integrates the legal, scientific, and policy dimensions of how we characterize and manage resource use and...

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Summer 2017-2018

EARTHSYS 41

The Global Warming Paradox

Diffenbaugh, N.

3 Unit(s)

Preference to freshman. Focus is on the complex climate challenges posed by the substantial benefits of energy consumption, including the critical...

SMA

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Winter 2017-2018

MATSCI 256

Solar Cells, Fuel Cells, and Batteries: Materials for the Energy Solution (EE 293A, ENERGY 293A, MATSCI 156)

Clemens, B.

3-4 Unit(s)

Operating principles and applications of emerging technological solutions to the energy demands of the world. The scale of global energy usage and...

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Winter 2017-2018

FRENCH 228

Science, technology and society and the humanities in the face of the looming disaster (ITALIAN 228, POLISCI 233F)

3-5 Unit(s)

How STS and the Humanities can together help think out the looming catastrophes that put the future of humankind in jeopardy.

ER

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Winter 2017-2018

EARTHSYS 141

Remote Sensing of the Oceans (EARTHSYS 241, ESS 141, ESS 241, GEOPHYS 141)

Arrigo, K.

3-4 Unit(s)

How to observe and interpret physical and biological changes in the oceans using satellite technologies. Topics: principles of satellite remote...

AQR

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Winter 2017-2018

PHYSICS 241

Introduction to Nuclear Energy

Laughlin, R.

3 Unit(s)

Radioactivity. Elementary nuclear processes. Energetics of fission and fusion. Cross-sections and resonances. Fissionable and fertile isotopes....

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Winter 2017-2018

MS&E 92

International Environmental Policy

Weyant, J.

3 Unit(s)

Preference to sophomores. Science, economics, and politics of international environmental policy. Current negotiations on global climate change,...

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Winter 2017-2018

HUMBIO 113

Healthy/Sustainable Food Systems: Maximum Sustainability across Health, Economics, and Environment (CHPR 113)

Gardner, C.

4 Unit(s)

Focus on problems with and systems-based solutions to food system issues. Four particular settings are addressed: University, worksite, hospital,...

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Winter 2017-2018

EARTHSYS 185

Feeding Nine Billion

Lobell, D., Bieler, S.

4-5 Unit(s)

Feeding a growing and wealthier population is a huge task, and one with implications for many aspects of society and the environment. There are...

AQR

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Winter 2017-2018

HISTORY 226

Famine in the Modern World (HISTORY 326E, PEDS 226)

Patenaude, B.

3 Unit(s)

Open to medical students, graduate students, and undergraduate students. Examines the major famines of modern history, the controversies...

SI

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Winter 2017-2018

HISTORY 226

Famine in the Modern World (HISTORY 326E, PEDS 226)

3 Unit(s)

Open to medical students, graduate students, and undergraduate students. Examines the major famines of modern history, the controversies...

SI

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Winter 2017-2018

ENVRES 240

Environmental Decision-Making and Risk Perception

1-3 Unit(s)

Mobilizing successful conservation efforts to mitigate climate change and preserve both local and global ecosystems requires a new way of thinking...

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Winter 2017-2018

ANTHRO 177

Environmental Change and Emerging Infectious Diseases (ANTHRO 277, EARTHSYS 114, EARTHSYS 214, HUMBIO 114)

4-5 Unit(s)

The changing epidemiological environment. How human-induced environmental changes, such as global warming, deforestation and land-use conversion,...

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Winter 2017-2018

CHEMENG 25

Energy: Chemical Transformations for Production, Storage, and Use (ENGR 25E)

Jaramillo, T., Lin, J., Nitopi, S.

3 Unit(s)

An introduction and overview to the challenges and opportunities of energy supply and consumption. Emphasis on energy technologies where chemistry...

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Winter 2017-2018

ECON 17

Energy, the Environment, and the Economy

Wolak, F.

3 Unit(s)

Examines the intimate relationship between environmental quality and the production and consumption of energy. Assesses the economics efficiency...

SI

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Winter 2017-2018

CEE 176

Energy Efficient Buildings

Masters, G.

3-4 Unit(s)

Quantitative evaluation of technologies and techniques for reducing energy demand of residential-scale buildings. Heating and cooling load...

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Winter 2017-2018

PUBLPOL 122

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism Response (BIOE 122, EMED 122, EMED 222, PUBLPOL 222)

4-5 Unit(s)

Overview of the most pressing biosecurity issues facing the world today. Guest lecturers have included former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice...

SI

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Winter 2017-2018

PUBLPOL 122

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism Response (BIOE 122, EMED 122, EMED 222, PUBLPOL 222)

Trounce, M.

4-5 Unit(s)

Overview of the most pressing biosecurity issues facing the world today. Guest lecturers have included former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice...

SI

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Winter 2017-2018

CEE 64

Air Pollution and Global Warming: History, Science, and Solutions (CEE 263D)

Jacobson, M.

3 Unit(s)

Survey of Survey of air pollution and global warming and their renewable energy solutions. Topics: evolution of the Earth's atmosphere, history of...

SMA

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Winter 2017-2018

CEE 64

Air Pollution and Global Warming: History, Science, and Solutions (CEE 263D)

Jacobson, M.

3 Unit(s)

Survey of Survey of air pollution and global warming and their renewable energy solutions. Topics: evolution of the Earth's atmosphere, history of...

SMA

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