June 26 – July 20, 2025
Date includes travel time and are subject to change.
This course focuses on a hands-on and critical analysis of energy resources for electricity, including coal, natural gas, nuclear, solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and energy efficiency, conservation and storage. Students learn about historic, current and forecasted energy resource use by society; the economics, politics and policies that affect energy resource availability; the science and engineering of fossil fuel and renewable energy resources; and natural and anthropogenic climate forcing as they relate to energy resource use.
The course will combine visits to energy mines and production facilities, experiments at Camp Davis on renewable energy technology, conversations with professionals involved in the energy production and distribution industries, and professionals in the government and non-profit sectors working on energy infrastructure and legislation. Assignments focus on hands-on application of materials.
Instructors: EARTH 344 will be co-taught by Drs. Udo Becker and Mike Shriberg. Depending on enrollment, 1-2 graduate student instructors will also complete the instructional team. We try to maintain a student:faculty ratio of 6:1 as often as possible.
Prerequisites
None. This course is open to all students who are in sophomore standing. Our program welcomes non-UM students.
Please reference our Fulfill Requirements page for a matrix of what requirements are fulfilled by EARTH 344.
Costs
Tuition
All Camp Davis courses are considered Summer Half-Term. Please visit the UM Tuition & Fees web page for current tuition rates. Tuition rates for all Camp Davis courses are set by the Registrar’s office, billed the 2nd week in June, and due June 30th. Students will be billed for 4 credits at a rate consistent with the student’s residency status (in-state/out-of-state), the college or school in which the student is enrolled, and the student’s academic standing (lower-level/upper-level).
Course Fees
In addition to tuition, course fees are assessed for all students. While tuition pays for credits and instruction, course fees pay room, board, transportation, and other operational costs. For EARTH 344, course fees will be assessed at $2225. This is billed the 2nd week of June and is due June 30th.
Financial Aid
We are committed to making taking classes at Camp Davis accessible to all EARTH majors and other students to the extent we are able, and make every effort to address the financial challenges posed for attending a class at camp. We make every effort to address the financial challenges posed for attending a class at Camp Davis. The department, college(s), and university all make different types of financial aid available to qualifying students. The deadlines among these sources vary and are strictly enforced. Please visit our Financial Aid & Scholarships web page to apply. We also invite you to speak with Camp Davis Assistant Director Chris Malvica (cmalvica@umich.edu) to discuss your specific situation after completing the necessary financial aid forms linked above.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for additional information. You can also contact us directly with any additional questions or concerns.
