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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
E S D062D
Course Title (CB02)
Environmental Management Tools: Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Design Principles
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Examines Industrial Ecology (applying the lessons of nature to industrial processes, products and systems) and associated sustainable design concepts, principles and tools (such as Life Cycle Impact Assessments, Design for the Environment, Biomimicry, Green Chemistry/Green Chemicals, Green Building, Energy Efficiency & Conservation, Water Efficiency & Conservation, Zero Waste). Also includes an examination of Product Stewardship (Extended Producer Responsibility) policies to enhance reuse/recycling efforts and prevent pollution. Explores associated job and career opportunities.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is CSU transferable and is a requirement for the CTE Certificate and Degree in Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention. The course meets a student identified need to learn about and use specific real-world tools that employers look for/demand, one of which is the use of Industrial Ecology tools and associated Sustainable Design principles and practices.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Field observation and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Assignments

  1. Reading assignments from the text and other assigned sources.
  2. Writing assignments involving summary, synthesis and critical analysis of data and information.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Quizzes to evaluate student comprehension of course concepts and principles and their application.
  2. Written homework assignments that require students to demonstrate the ability to summarize, integrate and critically analyze course concepts and principles and their application.
  3. A comprehensive Final Exam to evaluate student comprehension of course concepts and principles and their application.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials:
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies
  • (Special Purpose Facilities: 1) LEED Platinum-rated green building designed to showcase and teach about effective energy management, efficient environmental resource use, and pollution prevention, 2) Equipment Demonstration/Computer Lab (KC 239), 3) Natural Science Lab (KC 120) 4) Open Teaching Classroom/Lab (ESA Building), 5) Rooftop Air Pollution Monitoring Station)

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Graedel and Allenby "Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Engineering." Prentice Hall. 2009.
McDonough and Braungart. "The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability, Designing for Abundance." North Point Press. 2013.
Fiksel, Joseph. "Design for the Environment: A Guide to Sustainable Product Development." 2nd edition. McGraw-Hill. 2012.
Benyus, Janine. "Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature." Harper Perennial. 2002.
Anastas and Warner. "Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice." Oxford University Press. 2000.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Graedel and Allenby "Industrial Ecology" 2nd ed. Prentice Hall. 2002.
Hendrickson, Lave and Matthews. "Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Goods and Services: An Input-Output Approach." Routledge. 2006.
Ashby. "Materials and the Environment: Eco-informed Material Choice." Butterworth-Heinemann. 2009.
McDonough and Braungart. "Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things." North Point Press. 2002.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Assess the impacts of industrial processes, products (including consumer products) and systems on human health and environmental resources.
  • Examine the field of Industrial Ecology.
  • Examine sustainable design concepts, principles and tools.
  • Examine Product Stewardship (Extended Producer Responsibility) policies used to enhance reuse/recycling efforts and prevent pollution.
  • Explore potential job and career opportunities in Industrial Ecology, sustainable design and Product Stewardship.
  • Examine Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Design assessment systems and design tools.

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate the elements, principles and practices involved with Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Design.

Outline

  1. Assess the impacts of industrial processes, products (including consumer products) and systems on human health and environmental resources.
    1. Examine select case studies of impacts from industrial processes, products and systems on human health and environmental resources.
    2. Explore the potential risks to people, communities, nations and the world as a result of the impacts of industrial processes, products and systems.
  2. Examine the field of Industrial Ecology.
    1. Explore the history and motivations for Industrial Ecology as a field of study.
    2. Examine various definitions put forth for Industrial Ecology.
    3. Examine the central principles of Industrial Ecology (look to nature, holistic views, systems thinking, life-cycle analysis, nothing-is-waste/zero-waste approach).
    4. Examine the concept of sustainable systems (agriculture/food, buildings, energy, transportation, water) as a means to achieve a sustainable society overall.
  3. Examine sustainable design concepts, principles and tools.
    1. Examine Life Cycle Impact Assessments (LCIA)
    2. Examine Design for the Environment (DfE), focusing on:
      1. Design for environmental manufacturing (“Cleaner Production”)
      2. Design for environmental packaging ("Sustainable Packaging")
      3. Design for end-of-life (reuse/recycle/disposal)
      4. Design for energy efficiency
    3. Examine Biomimicry
    4. Examine Green Chemistry/Green Chemicals
    5. Examine Green Buildings/Green Building Design, focusing on:
      1. Fundamental Principles of Green Building
      2. Green Building Rating & Certification Systems
      3. Green Building Codes
    6. Examine Energy Efficiency, Conservation and Sustainabilty
    7. Examine Water Efficiency, Conservation and Sustainability
    8. Examine "Zero Waste" (no landfilling or incineration of trash/garbage)
  4. Examine Product Stewardship (Extended Producer Responsibility) policies used to enhance reuse/recycling efforts and prevent pollution.
    1. Examine current PS/EPR policies and efforts in both the U.S. and California.
    2. Examine Other Special End-of-Life (EOL) Management Programs in California (such as Advanced Recycling Fee-Based Programs, Mandatory Commercial Recycling, etc.)
    3. Examine CalRecycle’s EPR System Framework
  5. Explore potential job and career opportunities in Industrial Ecology, sustainable design and Product Stewardship.
    1. Explore job and career opportunities in Industrial Ecology.
    2. Explore job and career opportunities in sustainable design.
    3. Explore job and career opportunities in Product Stewardship.
  6. Examine Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Design assessment systems and design tools.
    1. Examine Industrial Ecology assessment systems and design tools.
    2. Examine Sustainable Design assessment systems and design tools.
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