Chile Course
Course Description
This intensive, three-credit "Sustainable Energy Development in South America" course was taught by Steven J. Wright, Thurnau Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering from the College of Engineering, and Sara Adlerstein, Assistant Research Scientist from the School of Natural Resources & Environment (in collaboration with Professors Oscar Parra and Evelyn Habit from the University of Concepcion in Chile). To provide sufficient background on course-related issues prior to the site visit, students met for two weeks during the Fall 2008 semester. The majority of the course work took place during the Winter 2009 semester, with a 10-day site visit to Chile during spring break.
This class project focused on the pressing need of the Chilean government to ensure adequate future energy supplies, specifically examining currently proposed hydropower projects in Patagonia. Students investigated the geographical, cultural, political, and economic settings in Chile relevant to hydropower and the Patagonian region. General concepts on energy production through hydroelectricity were discussed, as well as the likely impacts of hydropower development, such as the potential collapse of native fish populations, loss of biodiversity, reduced tourism, and displacement of local communities. Alternative energy development and sustainability principles were emphasized throughout the course, with comparisons made to historical projects inthe Pacific Northwest.
There were 19 U-M undergraduate students accepted into the program, with some University of Concepcion students also involved. Students were accepted met the following eligibility requirements:
- Completed a minimum of 75 hours (upon winter term when the class began)
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- Completed a minimum of 9 hours of sustainability-related course work prior to applying
Please click here for the Final Research Report students completed for the course.