The Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department will be offering an ACE 9 course for the upcoming fall semester, CHME 204: Carbon Footprints: From Greenhouse Gases to Global Warming. This class is available to all engineering students, sophomores and above.
CHME (204): Carbon Footprints: From Greenhouse Gases to Global Warming
3 credit hours (ACE 9-certified), Elective course
Instructor: Gustavo Larsen
Textbook: The Handbook of Carbon Accounting, Arnaud Brohé, 2017.
Specific course information:
Introduction to the concepts of carbon footprints of various human activities, household items and devices, and basic calculations of "carbon accounting". Discuss the global, regional and local impact of carbon accounting.
Prerequisites or co-requisites:
MATH 101, 103, or placement into MATH 102 or above.
Specific outcomes of instruction:
The student will be able to explain the significance of current research about a particular topic.
• Develop the ability to apply knowledge of math, science and engineering to determine carbon emission sources, fate and timeframes.
• Develop the ability to identify current carbon footprint problems and assess their magnitude.
• Describe and present work by formal verbal presentations and written reports.
• Demonstrate an ability to interpret current carbon footprint data
• Gain experience in working collaboratively in a group setting.
ABET Student Outcomes:
1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
Topics to be covered:
1. The advent of “carbon accounting” and its basic principles
2. Official inventories: the territory-based approach
3. Voluntary inventories: the carbon footprint approach
4. Monetary inventories: cost per ton of carbon dioxide
5. How are inventory concepts integrated with economy and political decisions