Course Syllabus ENG5530 – Graduate Colloquium in Sustainability Engineering Fundamentals Spring 2009
Instructor Information Instructors: Dr. John W. Sutherland (MTU) Dr. Hassan Mahadallah (SUBR) Office Location: 1011 Me-EM Building Higgins Hall Telephone: Office – (906)487-3395 (225)771-3210 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Office Hours: By appointment Web: www.me.mtu.edu/~jwsuther/colloquium
Assistants: Ben Ciavola (ME) [email protected] Cory McDonald (CEE) [email protected] Course Identification Course Number: ENG5530-R01 Course Name: Graduate Colloquium in Sustainability Course Location: 208 ME-EM (MTU) TBD (SUBR) Class Times (tentative):F 12:00pm – 1:00pm (ET) F 11:00am-12:00pm (CST) Prerequisites: none Course Description/Overview Introduces students to general and specific issues related to sustainability. Topics include review and discussion of historical readings that define the movement towards sustainability, international issues related to sustainable development, corporate leadership, consumption, and societal issues.
Students/faculty from Southern University and A&M College – Baton Rouge will participate via videoconferencing. Course Learning Objectives 1. Promote awareness of state of the art research in sustainability.
2. Promote consideration of immediate and broader impacts of sustainability research.
3. Promote skills needed to be an effective professional (e.g., critically review published papers and make public presentations). Course Resources Course Website(s) Personal Website
Meadows, Randers and Meadows. Limits to Growth: The 30-year update. 2004. Chelsea Green. ISBN-13: 978-1931498586.
Additional readings will be made available online throughout the semester.
Course Fees None
Course Supplies None Grading Scheme Grading System Letter Grade Grade Percentage points/credit Rating A 93% & above 4.00 Excellent AB 88% – 92% 3.50 Very good B 82% – 86% 3.00 Good BC 76% – 81% 2.50 Above average C 70% – 75% 2.00 Average CD 65% – 69% 1.50 Below average D 60% - 64% 1.00 Inferior F 59% and below 0.00 Failure I Incomplete; given only when a student is unable to complete a segment of the course because of circumstances beyond the student’s control. A grade of incomplete may be given only when approved in writing by the DEAN. X Conditional, with no grade points per credit; given only when the student is at fault in failing to complete a minor segment of a course, but in the judgment of the instructor does not need to repeat the course. It must be made up within the next semester in residence or the grade becomes a failure (F). A (X) grade is computed into the grade point average as a (F) grade. Grading Policy Grades will be based on the following: Participation/Attendance 40% Written Proposal 20% Project Presentation 20% Final Report 20% Late Assignments Late assignments will not be excepted unless arrangements are made with the instructor or course assistants in advance of the assigned due date. Course Policies/Requirements Attendance: Attendance is compulsory for registered students and all IGERT Trainees and Associates. Attendance is also expected of SFI Scholars. Students are expected to aid in selecting/presenting discussion topics, papers, and speakers.
Group work: All students listed as members of a group are expected to participate in preparing for and leading class discussion.
Paper Presentations and Discussions: Interdisciplinary groups at MTU as well as one group from SUBR will lead chapter/paper presentation and discussion seminars. All students are expected to read the selected papers prior to class on the day they will be discussed. Group assignments are shown below.
Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4
Melanie Kueber Christina Herrman Jill Jensen Daniel Lopez-Gaxiola
Jayanthi Sothirajah Justin Carlson Lauren Fry Valerie Fuchs
Margot Hutchins Josh Johnson Weiwei Mo Kristina Lawyer
Meredith Ballard
Group 5 Group 6 Group 7 Group 8
Cory McDonald Michael Brodeur-Campbell Fredline Ilorme Michael Skoglund
Ryan Biehl Colin Casey George Lane Stacie Nawabueze
Karen Reeder Emery Denis Osuagwu Christopher Polonowski Ben Ciavola Collaboration/Plagiarism Rules This course is highly based upon collaboration between students. Participation by all members of groups is expected, and is especially vital for those registered for the course. Notification that a registered student has not been participating will initially result in a warning from instructors, and continued lack of participation will lead to a failing grade.
Plagiarism is unacceptable and will first result in a failing grade for that assignment, and if continued will result in a failing grade for the course. University Policies Academic regulations and procedures are governed by University policy. Academic dishonesty cases will be handled in accordance the University's policies.
If you have a disability that could affect your performance in this class or that requires an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please see me as soon as possible so that we can make appropriate arrangements. The Affirmative Action Office has asked that you be made aware of the following:
Michigan Tech complies with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for equal access to education or services at Michigan Tech, please call the Dean of Students Office, at 487-2212. For other concerns about discrimination, you may contact your advisor, department head or the Affirmative Action Office, at 487-3310
Academic Integrity: http://www.studentaffairs.mtu.edu/dean/judicial/policies/academic_integrity.html
Affirmative Action: http://www.admin.mtu.edu/aao/ Disability Services: http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/studenthandbook/student_services.html#disability
Equal Opportunity Statement: http://www.admin.mtu.edu/admin/boc/policy/ch3/ch3p7.htm Course Schedule Reading/Activity Date Leaders
Week 1 Introduction, Goals for colloquium this semester Ben & Cory 1/16/09
Week 2 Vensim / Systems dynamics overview Ben 1/23/09
Week 3 Preface, Ch. 1-2 Group 1 1/30/09
Week 4 No Class – Winter Carnival 2/6/09
Week 5 Chapter 3 Group 2 2/13/09
Week 6 TBD Group 3 2/20/09
Week 7 Ch. 4-5 Group 4 2/27/09
Week 8 Group 5 TBD 3/6/09
Week 9 No Class – Spring Break/IGERT Summit 3/13/09
Week 10 Chapter 6 Group 6 3/20/09
Week 11 Group 7 TBD 3/27/09
Week 12 Group 8 Ch. 7-8 4/3/09 Week 13 TBD Ben & Cory 4/10/09
Week 14 TBD Ben & Cory 4/17/09
Week 15 TBD Ben & Cory 4/24/09