Syllabus for Roster(s):

  • 16J EVSC 2070-1 (CGAS)
  • 16J STS 2740-1 (ENGR)
In the UVaCollab course site:   16J EVSC 2070-1 (CGAS)

Course Syllabus

 

STS 2140/EVSC 2070:  Earth Systems Engineering Management

Syllabus January Term 2016

10:00 AM-4:00 PM (with 1 hour break for lunch)

This syllabus will evolve as the course progresses (check the Google Doc)

 

Instructor:

Michael Gorman
Email:  meg3c@virginia.edu
Phone:  825-9766 (office)
Office:  Thornton A237


Course Objective
The objective of this course is to apply Earth Systems Engineering and Management (ESEM) to case-studies of  “America’s Best Idea”—the national parks.  These comparative case-studies can be used to critique and refine ESEM.

The goal is to produce innovators who can think more clearly about managing coupled natural-technological-human systems 

General Description
A principle result of Industrial Revolutions and associated changes in human demographics, technology systems, cultures, and economic systems has been the evolution of an Earth in which the dynamics of major natural systems are increasingly dominated by human activity. Continued stability of both human and natural systems will require development of the ability to rationally design and manage coupled human-natural systems in a highly integrated and ethical fashion - an Earth Systems Engineering and Management (ESEM) capability.

The requirements of this course include regular participation in class discussions, homework as assigned, and reading of case studies and articles. Additionally, students will apply systems thinking to ESEM case studies and projects.

General objectives for STS 2000 level courses:

All STS 2000-level courses focus on some significant set of interactions among science, technology, and society. This course will present you with one or more disciplined, analytical approaches to understanding the reciprocal relationship between technology and society. It will also help you:
(1) understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and social context,
(2) recognize and analyze the role that science and engineering play in contemporary issues
(3) impact a knowledge of social and historical context to put contemporary issues in perspective,
(4) appreciate differing perspectives and integrate your views with those of others, and
(5) sharpen your reading, writing, speaking, and discussion skills.
By the end of the course, you should be able to analyze in depth particular examples of the interpenetration and mutual influence of technology and society. This analytical ability provides the foundation necessary for understanding the social and ethical contexts of engineering and technology—understanding crucial to STS 401-402 and to each student’s thesis project. All of these purposes play an important role in ensuring that SEAS educates thoughtful and articulate professionals who will be able to be leaders in industry, government, and education

The Honor System and the School of Engineering and Applied Science

The School of Engineering and Applied Science relies upon and cherishes its community of trust. We firmly endorse, uphold, and embrace the University’s Honor principle that students will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor shall they tolerate those who do. We recognize that even one honor infraction can destroy an exemplary reputation that has taken years to build. Acting in a manner consistent with the principles of honor will benefit every member of the community both while enrolled in the Engineering School and in the future.

Required Texts
Allenby’s Sustainable Engineering available at the bookstore and required chapters are available through Collab.

Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows, available through Amazon.

Grading (subject to change)

Project presentations 
       Part 1: Descriptive: 15%
       Part 2: Normative: 15%
       Part 3:  Transitional: 15%

Final paper/exam: 30% (Not more than10 pages--conciseness is a virtue!)

Class Participation and Forum Posts: 25%

All readings and talks are copyrighted by the authors and publishers and are provided to you as part of educational fair use. Do not reproduce or disseminate or link to any of these materials without permission!

 

Monday Jan 4

Ken Burns “America’s Best Idea” assignment due

In Class:

  • Overview of ESEM and the course 
     
  • Discuss Ken Burns film and "America's Best Idea" assignment
     
  • Introduction to the course project and brainstorming session about project topics

Assignments:

  • Submit Ken Burns Forum Response if you have not done so!
     
  • Read Donella Meadows Part 2, Chapters 3, 4, and 5, Thinking in Systems (at bookstore and on Amazon) --there are also links in Resources. Bring book or kindle version or whatever you have to class.
     
  • Forum Post: Respond to the forum prompt. Remember to respond to at least two other students' posts.

Tuesday Jan 5

In Class:

  • Discussion of Donella Meadows and applying systems thinking to the national parks project
     
  • Formation of project groups
     
  • Speaker: Jon Goodall, Water Management in Columbia, SC

 

Assignments:

 

  • Read Allenby Chapter 13, Adaptive Management (on Collab under Resources). 
     
  • Forum Post: Respond to the prompt on the forum.. Remember to respond to at least two other students' posts.

Wednesday Jan 6

In Class:

  • Systems thinking activities on Meadows chapters 6 and 7 (students are not required to read these).
     
  • Lecture on the Everglades and the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), representing an application of adaptive management.
     
  • Reminders about the field trip (happening tomorrow)!

 

Assignments:

 

  • Read Allenby Chapters 1 and 2, Sustainable Engineering and the Anthropocene (on Collab under Resources).
     
  • Forum Post: Respond to the prompt on the forum.. Remember to respond to at least two other students' posts.

Thursday Jan 7

In Class:

  • Shenandoah National Park field trip with Jim Schabert!
  • Dress for cold weather, including a waterproof outer layer and shoes for walking on dirt, and bring a lunch and water. Cameras welcome.

Assignments:

  • Prepare for tomorrow's Descriptive Scenario Presentations. Post your presentation under Assignments.

Friday Jan 8

In Class:

  • Apply Meadows' system diagrams to the park system you are considering
     
  • Group work time to finalize preparation for the Descriptive Scenario Presentations
     
  • Descriptive Scenario Presentations

Assignments:

  • Due by Monday at 10 am: Read Allenby Chapter 3, Complexity (on Collab under Resources). 
     
  • Forum Post: Respond to the prompt on the forum.. Remember to respond to at least two other students' posts.
     
  • Prepare for Monday's Normative Scenario Presentations. Post your presentation under Assignments.

 

Monday Jan 11

In Class:

  • Normative Scenario Presentations
     
  • Speaker: Marie Zanowic: Introduction to biomimicry as a strategy for solving environmental challenges (power point)  1 hour
     
  • Introduction to the course paper. In class time to work on Paper Proposal. 

Assignments:

  •  Paper Proposal due tomorrow.
     
  • Urban Deer Contraception Reading + Forum Post (Extra Credit) - Due by Thursday at 10 am.

Tuesday Jan 12

In Class:

Paper Proposal due. 

Speaker: Marie Zanowic    

  • How to identify function (function exercise) 1 hour         
  • Using biomimicry to resurface a road in the park (Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks project overview (power point) 1 hour
  • Life Principles overview (power point)  1.5 hour
  • Applying biomimicry to solve environmental challenges (power point using FS and NPS examples)  1 hour
  • Environmental criteria, how they are developed and how to choose one for your project (power point)  1 hour
     
  • In class time for groups to work on tomorrow's Transitive Scenario Presentation.

Assignments:

  • Prepare for tomorrow's Transitive Scenario Presentations. Post your presentation under Assignments.

Wednesday Jan 13

In Class:

  • Transition Scenario Presentations
     
  • Speaker: Marie Zanowic

Assignments:

  • Work on Final Papers. 

Thursday Jan 14

In Class:

  • Professor Gorman, Sunny, and Ruben provide feedback on Paper Proposals and current drafts of Final Papers. 
     
  • In class paper working time.

Assignments:

  • Graded paper drafts are due in "Assignments" by the end of Thursday's class.
Friday Jan 15

In Class:

  • Working session for students to finish papers and respond to comments on drafts. All students should come to Clark to talk with Prof. Gorman, Ruben, or Sunny about their working papers.
     
  • Final Paper due. 
     
  • Professor Gorman, Sunny, and Ruben provide feedback on the Final Papers and offer opportunities for students to revise before the last submission.