Energy, Environment, and Everyday Life from Coursera

For a sample of what this course will include, see the video "Energy, Environment, and Everyday Life MOOC with University of Illinois Professor David Ruzic" - http://go.citl.illinois.edu/Energy-MOOC

This course teaches you everything you need to know about energy, the environment, and at least a number of things in everyday life. It starts by talking about energy itself and where it comes from. This includes how much we have, who has it, who uses it, and what that all means. The video clips are produced in a fast-paced multimedia format during which Professor Ruzic throws in fun and demonstrations. There are multiple-choice questions to check your understanding and some more in-depth exercises to guide you deeper into the subject.

After explaining the main things we use energy for – our cars and electronics! – fossil fuels are examined in detail. Want to really learn about fracking or pipelines? Watch these segments. The environmental effects of fossil fuels are taught as well. Global warming, acid rain, and geoengineering all are in this part of the course. Part of their solution is too. Renewables follow, with clips on solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biofuels, etc. You’ll even see Professor Ruzic in a corn field and in the middle of a stream showing how you could dam it up.

Finally, nuclear power is taught in detail – how it really works and what happens when it doesn’t work, as in Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima, as well as how we are making it today, which is shown here without political preconceptions. In this course, economics takes center stage. People will ultimately do whatever costs the least, so energy policy is most effective when it is targeted at the user’s wallet.

Throughout the course there are 24 segments on “How Things Work." These guides to everyday life are tremendously varied, covering everything from fireworks to making beer to what happens backstage at a theater. The course is designed to be enjoyable as well as informative. We hope you will take a look!

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Orientation

You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Offers variety in video content with 'How Things Work' segments

Teaches about fossil fuels, which are still prevalent in the current energy market, and the environmental impact

Provides overview of nuclear power and its relationship to accidents

Includes hands-on demonstrations and examples, like corn fields and dams

Addresses the relationship between energy policy and economics

Covers various renewable energy sources and demonstrations, such as solar, wind, and biofuels

Reviews summary

Engaging energy & everyday life overview

According to learners, this course provides a broad and engaging introduction to the complex world of energy and its environmental impacts, connecting it to everyday life. The instructor's passion and demonstrations are frequently highlighted as a major strength, making dense topics more accessible. While praised for its breadth and interesting "How Things Work" segments, some students note a relative lack of depth in certain technical areas, which may be a warning for those seeking advanced knowledge. Overall, it is seen as a positive starting point for understanding critical energy issues.

Relates energy concepts to daily life and objects.

"The 'How Things Work' segments were fascinating and really connected the science to things I see or use every day."

"Linking the energy concepts to everyday objects like fireworks, cars, and microwaves made it very relatable."

"I enjoyed seeing how the energy principles apply to everyday phenomena and technology."

"It was cool learning the science behind how common items work, like how a microwave oven heats food."

Covers a wide range of energy sources and issues.

"This course provides a comprehensive overview of energy sources, environmental impacts, and economic considerations."

"It touches upon everything from fossil fuels and renewables to nuclear power and policy, giving a good baseline."

"I appreciate how many different aspects of energy and environment were covered, from physics to economics."

"The breadth of topics is impressive, you get exposed to a little bit of everything related to energy and environment."

Professor's enthusiasm and demonstrations are key.

"Prof. Ruzic is a superb communicator, very clear, enthusiastic and interesting. The demonstrations help explain things effectively."

"The professor is very passionate about the subject and his demonstrations are helpful in understanding complex ideas."

"His passion is infectious and makes even complex topics understandable. Definitely recommend for his teaching style."

"I really enjoyed the lectures, the professor kept my attention the entire time. The demonstrations were unique and memorable."

"I loved the enthusiasm of the professor and the practical demonstrations. It makes the material much more relatable and memorable."

Some assessments may feel tricky or disconnected.

"Some of the quiz questions seemed tricky and didn't always directly test the main concepts from the lectures."

"I found a few assessments challenging, maybe not because the material was hard, but because the questions were worded oddly."

"While the lectures were clear, sometimes the quizzes felt like they were asking about minor details not emphasized in the videos."

"The quizzes were sometimes frustrating, requiring very specific information that wasn't easy to recall from the lectures alone."

May not be deep enough for those with prior background.

"While broad, I found some of the technical explanations a bit superficial for my liking. It's more of an intro."

"If you have a physics or engineering background, this might be too basic. It skims the surface on many topics."

"The course provides a good overview, but doesn't delve deeply into the technical details or engineering aspects."

"It's a great starting point, but I felt the need to seek out other resources for more in-depth understanding of certain areas."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Energy, Environment, and Everyday Life with these activities:

Read "Energy: A Beginner's Guide" by Vaclav Smil

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Gain a comprehensive overview of energy sources, technologies, and their environmental implications by reading this introductory book, providing a strong foundation for the course content.

View Oil on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Set aside dedicated time for reading.
Take notes and highlight important concepts.
Discuss the book's ideas with others or write a summary to reinforce your understanding.

Calculate energy efficiency of everyday appliances

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Determine the energy consumption of common household appliances, like refrigerators, washing machines, and light bulbs, to gain practical insights into energy usage in daily life.

Browse courses on Energy Efficiency

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Gather information on the power ratings (in watts) of the appliances.
Measure the operating time of each appliance in hours per day or per week.
Calculate the energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh) using the formula: kWh = power (watts) × time (hours).
Compare the energy consumption of different appliances and identify areas for potential energy savings.

Form a study group with classmates

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Enhance your learning by collaborating with peers in a study group, discussing course materials, solving problems together, and supporting each other's understanding.

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Identify classmates who share your interests or learning style.
Schedule regular study sessions.
Review course materials together.
Work on assignments and projects collaboratively.

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Create an infographic on renewable energy sources

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Design an infographic that visually presents the advantages and disadvantages of different renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal, to enhance your understanding of their environmental impact and potential.

Browse courses on Renewable Energy Sources

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Research different renewable energy sources and gather data on their benefits and drawbacks.
Choose a visually appealing infographic template or create your own.
Design the infographic using clear and concise language, incorporating charts, graphs, or images to illustrate the data.
Share your infographic with others to educate them about renewable energy sources.

Volunteer at a local energy conservation organization

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Gain hands-on experience in energy conservation and sustainability efforts by volunteering with an organization focused on promoting energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

Browse courses on Energy Conservation

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Research local energy conservation organizations.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend volunteer training and orientation.
Participate in energy conservation activities, such as energy audits, outreach campaigns, or educational programs.

Organize and review course materials

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Stay organized and improve your understanding by compiling and reviewing your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams, ensuring that you have a comprehensive and accessible repository of course materials.

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Gather all your course materials.
Create a filing system or digital folder structure.
Review your materials regularly.
Highlight important concepts and make annotations.

Career center

Learners who complete Energy, Environment, and Everyday Life will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers work to improve the environment and protect human health. They design solutions to reduce pollution, conserve natural resources, and restore damaged ecosystems. Graduates of this course will gain a strong foundation in environmental issues and will be well-prepared to work in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Energy Consultant

Energy Consultants help businesses and individuals reduce their energy consumption and costs. They also develop and implement energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions. This course will provide graduates with a comprehensive understanding of energy issues. With this knowledge, they will be well-positioned to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Consultant

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop and implement sustainability strategies for businesses, organizations, and governments. They work to reduce environmental impact, promote social responsibility, and ensure economic viability. Graduates of this course will gain the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists conduct research and monitor the environment to identify and assess environmental hazards. They also develop and implement solutions to environmental problems. This course will provide graduates with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Climate Change Analyst

Climate Change Analysts study the causes and impacts of climate change. They develop and evaluate policies and strategies to mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects. Graduates of this course will gain the knowledge and skills needed to play a critical role in addressing this global challenge.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Change Analyst

Energy Policy Analyst

Energy Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies related to energy production, distribution, and use. They work to ensure that energy policies are efficient, effective, and equitable. This course will provide graduates with a comprehensive understanding of energy issues. With this knowledge, they will be well-positioned to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Policy Analyst

Renewable Energy Developer

Renewable Energy Developers identify, develop, and implement renewable energy projects. They work to transition the world to a clean energy future. This course will provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Developer

Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear Engineers design, build, and operate nuclear power plants. They also work on the development of new nuclear technologies. This course will provide graduates with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nuclear Engineer

Geologist

Geologists study the Earth's structure, composition, and history. They work in a variety of fields, including energy exploration, environmental protection, and natural resource management. This course may be useful for geologists who wish to specialize in energy-related fields.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geologist

Atmospheric Scientist

Atmospheric Scientists study the Earth's atmosphere and its interactions with the rest of the Earth system. They work in a variety of fields, including climate change research, air quality management, and weather forecasting. This course may be useful for atmospheric scientists who wish to specialize in energy-related fields.

See salaries and explore the career path for Atmospheric Scientist

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design, build, and maintain infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings. They also work on environmental projects, such as water treatment and waste management. This course may be useful for civil engineers who wish to specialize in energy-related fields.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design, build, and operate machines and systems. They work in a variety of industries, including energy, manufacturing, and transportation. This course may be useful for mechanical engineers who wish to specialize in energy-related fields.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers design, build, and operate chemical plants and processes. They work in a variety of industries, including energy, pharmaceuticals, and food. This course may be useful for chemical engineers who wish to specialize in energy-related fields.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chemical Engineer

Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists develop and study new materials. They work in a variety of industries, including energy, aerospace, and electronics. This course may be useful for materials scientists who wish to specialize in energy-related fields.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Scientist