Most of these analyses involve field trips to collect data on environmental conditions and patterns of interaction between people and the environment. These analyses then are used to select optimal energy policies intended to minimize risk to the population. The analyses performed by student teams are reviewed by local environmental organizations, including the operators of the energy facility. This ensures the research conducted during the course remains focused on the needs of decision-makers in the region. It also provides an avenue through which student gain practical experience in the professional application of their skills to real-world problems.
Students receive credit for two courses.
In addition, students work daily in interdisciplinary teams on projects building towards the final team report. These projects involve a number of field excursions to perform measurements in the town and in the countryside. Modeling and quantifying movement of pollutants in the air, in surface water, in groundwater, and through food chains. Students may, with prior permission of the course Directors, receive 3 hours of credit towards a research thesis. This requires additional research beyond that of the courses.