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Green Chemistry Foundation Courses and Seminars at MIT
Promoting and implementing the sustainable use of
energy and resources is a significant initiative at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. In her inaugural address, MIT President
Susan Hockfield espoused the importance of this goal and since then
has drawn together a unique group of experts and resources to foster
this shift in our research and development at MIT. Closely tied
to the institute-wide goal of fostering sustainable energy use is
promoting sustainable chemical practices. A great amount of energy
is expended in the production, use, and disposal of chemicals. To
both conserve energy and avoid the unnecessary generation of hazardous
wastes, the concept and benefits of Green Chemistry have already
spread through industry and are beginning to make their marks in
academia. Although there are no “designated” Green Chemistry
courses at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the following
is a list of the seminars and courses that are related to one or
more of the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry and that are offered
by MIT departments.
Click on the course number in the upper left-hand corner of each
description to see what General Institute Requirements or Departmental
Requirements each course satisfies.
1.080
Environmental Chemistry and Biology (Polz/Staff)
Covers basic environmental chemistry and biology with a focus on
understanding the principles governing the function of both natural
systems and systems perturbed or engineered by humans. Topics include
acid-base, complexation, reduction/oxidation, precipitation, hydrolysis
and sorption reactions, population growth and limiting factors,
microbial community structure, and the interactions between microbes
and their chemical environment. 1.018J is a suggested prerequisite.
Connection to green chemistry: understanding basic
environmental chemistry and biology and the effect of humans lays
the groundwork for applying the Green Principles of designing safer
chemicals and less hazardous chemical syntheses, designing for degradation,
designing for energy efficiency, and developing real-time analysis
for pollution prevention.
1.081J
Chemicals in the Environment: Toxicology and Public Health (Sherley,
Tannenbaum, Green)
Probes the challenges of defining a relationship between exposure
to environmental chemicals and human disease and includes case studies
of local and national interest. Material covers epidemiological
approaches to understanding disease causation; biostatistical methods;
evaluation of human exposure to chemicals and their internal distribution,
metabolism, reactions with cellular components, and biological effects;
and qualitative and quantitative health risk assessment methods
used in the US as a basis for regulatory decision-making. (Same
as BE.104J, ESD.053J)
Connection to green chemistry: understanding,
diagnosing, and assessing human exposure to chemicals lays the foundation
needed for applying the Green Principles of designing safer chemicals
and less hazardous chemical syntheses, designing for degradation,
and adopting inherently safer chemistry for accident prevention,
and using real-time analysis for monitoring and controlling pollution
formation.
1.149
Applications of Technology in the Energy and Environment (Deutsch,
Lester)
Introduces advanced undergraduates or graduate students in the Schools
of Engineering and Science to the integration of technical, economic,
political, and environmental consideration required for the successful
implementation of new technology. Case studies are drawn from the
energy and environment sectors with some emphasis on analytic techniques
that serve as a "tool box" for students. Technologies
considered include fossil, nuclear, solar, wind, fuel cell and energy
conservation. International aspects, such as weapons proliferation
and global climate effects, also discussed. (Same as 2.63, 5.00,
10.579, 22.813, ESD.174) Course syllabus
and handouts.
Connection to green chemistry: analyzing energy
technologies through a technical, economic, and political perspective
lays the foundation for applying the Green Principles of preventing
waste, designing for energy efficiency, using renewable feedstocks,
and designing for degradation.
1.725J
Chemicals in the Environment: Fate and Transport (Shanahan)
For Institute students in all departments interested in the behavior
of chemicals in the environment (see ESD listings for other subjects).
Emphasis on man-made chemicals, their movement through water, air,
soil, and their eventual fate. Physical transport, as well as chemical
and biological sources and sinks, are discussed. Links to health
effects, sources and control, and policy aspects. Core requirement
for Environmental MEng program. (Same as ESD.151J)
Connection to green chemistry: understanding how
chemicals move in the environment contributes to applying the Green
Principles of preventing waste, designing safer chemicals, designing
for degradation, applying real-time analysis for pollution prevention,
and adopting inherently safer chemistry for accident prevention.
1.811J
Environmental Law, Policy, and Economics: Pollution Prevention and
Control (Ashford, Caldart)
Reviews and analyzes federal and state regulation of air and water
pollution and hazardous wastes. Analyzes pollution as an economic
problem and the failure of markets. Emphasizes use of legal mechanisms
and alternative approaches (such as economic incentives and voluntary
approaches) to control pollution and to encourage chemical accident
and pollution prevention. Focuses on major federal legislation,
the underlying administrative system, and the common law in analyzing
environmental policy, economic consequences, and the role of the
courts. Discusses classical pollutants and toxic industrial chemicals,
a community’s right-to-know, and environmental justice. Also
provides an introduction to basic legal skills. (Same as 11.630J,
ESD.133J)
Connection to green chemistry: understanding the
political and economic background concerning pollution and hazardous
wastes contributes to understanding the application and motivation
behind the Green Principles of designing safer chemicals and less
hazardous chemical syntheses, using safer solvents and auxiliaries,
using renewable feedstocks, designing for degradation, and adopting
inherently safer chemistry for accident prevention.
1.812J
Regulation of Radiation, Chemicals, and Biotechnology (Ashford,
Caldart)
Focuses on policy design and evaluation in the regulation of hazardous
substances and processes. Includes risk assessment, industrial chemicals,
pesticides, food contaminants, pharmaceuticals, radiation and radioactive
wastes, product safety, workplace hazards, indoor air pollution,
biotechnology, victims' compensation, and administrative law. Health
and economic consequences of regulation as well as its potential
to spur technological change are discussed. (Same as 11.631J, ESD.134J)
Connection to green chemistry: recognizing the
policies, regulation, and consequences of generating hazardous wastes
allows one to understand the advantages and motivations behind applying
the Green Principles of preventing waste from the source, designing
safer chemicals and less hazardous chemical syntheses, using safer
solvents and auxiliaries, using renewable feedstocks, designing
for degradation, and adopting safer chemistry for accident prevention.
1.813J
Sustainability, Trade, and the Environment (Ashford)
The Schumpeterian notion of technological innovation as "the
engine of growth" is being challenged as the globalization
of trade is increasingly seen as the driving force of industrial
economies. With the establishment of the World Trade Organization
implementing the GATT, NAFTA, and other trading regimes, serious
questions have been raised concerning the effects of global trade
on sustainability, which must be viewed broadly to include not only
a healthy economic base, but also a sound environment, stable employment,
adequate purchasing power, distributional equity, national self-reliance,
and maintenance of cultural integrity. Subject explores the many
dimensions of sustainability and the use of national, multinational,
and international political and legal mechanisms to further sustainable
development. (Same as 15.657J, ESD.137J)
Connection to green chemistry: understanding
the international arena for promoting sustainable technologies lays
the foundation for effectively utilizing and understanding the feasibility
of applying the Green Principles of preventing waste from the source,
designing safer chemicals and less hazardous chemical syntheses,
using safer solvents, designing for energy efficiency, using renewable
feedstocks, designing for degradation, and adopting inherently safer
chemistry for accident prevention.
1.83
Environmental Organic Chemistry (Gschwend)
Focuses on the processes affecting anthropogenic organic compounds
in the environment. Uses physical chemical properties to predict
chemical transfers between environmental compartments (air, water,
sediments, and biota). Uses molecular structure-reactivity relationships
to estimate chemical, photochemical, and biochemical transformation
rates. Resulting process models are combined to predict environmental
concentrations (and related biological exposures) of hazardous and
natural organic compounds.
Connection to green chemistry: understanding and
predicting chemical movements and transfers in the environment lays
the foundation for applying the Green Principles of designing safer
chemicals and less hazardous chemical synthesis, designing for chemical
degradation, applying real-time analysis for pollution prevention,
and adopting inherently safer chemistry for accident prevention.
5.22J
Biotechnology and Engineering (Essigmann, Langer)
Illustrates how the principles of chemistry, biology, and engineering
are integrated to create new products for human health and consumption.
Uses a case-study format to examine recently developed products
of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries by tracing how a
product evolves from initial idea to patents, testing, evaluation,
production, and marketing. Emphasizes scientific and engineering
principles, as well as the responsibility scientists, engineers,
and business executives have for the consequences of their technologies.
Enrollment limited. (Same as 10.02J, BE.105J) Spring
2005 course page.
Connection to green chemistry: Tracing the evolution
of launching a health product into the market contributes to understanding
the opportunities and limitations that arise when applying the Green
Principles of preventing waste from the source, utilizing atom economy,
designing safer chemicals and less hazardous chemical synthesis,
using safer solvents and auxiliaries, reducing unnecessary chemical
derivatives, utilizing catalysis, and adopting inherently safer
chemistry for accident prevention.
5.50
Enzymes: Structure and Function (Stubbe)
Introduction to methods used to elucidate the mechanism of enzyme-catalyzed
reactions. Application of steady-state and presteady-state kinetics,
isotope effect measurements, site-directed mutagenesis, and mechanism-based
inhibitors as tools to investigate the mechanisms of enzymes that
have been well-characterized structurally. Course
syllabus.
Connection to green chemistry: understanding
the catalytic function and mechanisms of enzymes, which avoid the
use of stoichiometric reagents and function in aqueous environments,
lays the foundation for applying the Green Principles of promoting
atom economy, using catalysis to avoid unnecessary waste, using
safer solvents and auxiliaries, reducing unnecessary chemical derivatives,
and designing for energy efficiency.
5.79J Glycomics (Imperiali, Sasisekharan)
Introduction to "glycomics", the field that describes
how complex carbohydrates modulate protein function and thereby
influence fundamental biological processes. Introduces students
to advances in the field that have been fueled by parallel developments
in a number of diverse disciplines including chemical synthesis,
analytical methods, enzymology, cellular biology, and bioengineering.
(Same as BE.480J)
Spring 2002 course lectures and readings.
Connection to green chemistry: understanding the
role of carbohydrate chemistry in protein function contributes to
the basis of knowledge needed to apply the Green Principles of promoting
atom economy, designing safer chemicals and less hazardous chemical
syntheses, and designing for chemical degradation.
7.13
Experimental Microbial Genetics (Sinskey)
Molecular genetics used to examine how bacteria can be used in novel
and relevant processes such as the synthesis of precursors to the
drug Crixivan, a potent inhibitor of HIV replication; the synthesis
of metabolites as food supplements; or the synthesis of biodegradable
polymers. Students engage in independent research projects to address
questions relating to these processes. Techniques used include plasmid
manipulation, genetic complementation, mutagenesis, PCR, DNA sequencing,
enzyme assays, and gene expression studies. Instruction and practice
in written and oral communication are also emphasized.
OpenCourseWare,
Fall 2003: course syllabus, labs, and projects.
Connection to green chemistry: Using bacteria
to synthesize chemicals, metabolites, and polymers paves the way
for applying the Green Principles of promoting atom economy, designing
safer chemicals and less hazardous chemical syntheses, reducing
the use of unnecessary chemical derivatives, designing for chemical
degradation, and utilizing safer chemistry for accident prevention.
7.21
Microbial Physiology (Walker, Magasanik)
Covers biochemical properties of bacteria and other microorganisms
that enable them to grow under a variety of conditions, interactions
between bacteria and bacteriophages, and genetic and metabolic regulation
of enzyme action and enzyme formation.
Connection to green chemistry: Understanding the
biochemical and metabolic properties of bacteria and microorganisms
contributes to effectively applying the Green Principles of promoting
atom economy, designing safer chemicals and less hazardous chemical
syntheses, designing for energy efficiency, reducing the use of
unnecessary chemical derivatives, and utilizing catalysis such as
those that mimic or use enzymes.
7.27
Principles of Human Disease (Housman, Lees)
Covers current understanding of and modern approaches to human disease,
emphasizing the molecular and cellular basis of both genetic disease
and cancer. Specific topics include the genetics of simple and complex
traits; Karyotypic analysis and positional cloning; genetic diagnosis;
the roles of oncogenes and tumor suppressors in tumor initiation,
progression, and treatment; the interaction between genetics and
environment; animal models of human disease; cancer; and conventional
and gene therapy treatment strategies.
Connection to green chemistry: understanding the
mechanisms of genetic diseases and cancer and their interaction
with the environment lays a solid foundation for utilizing the Green
Principles of designing safer chemicals and less hazardous chemical
syntheses, designing for chemical degradation, applying real-time
analysis for preventing hazardous chemical formation, and adopting
inherently safer chemistry for accident prevention such as chemical
releases.
7.547J
Principles and Practice of Drug Development (Allen, Cooney, Finkelsetein,
Rubin, Sinskey)
Describes and critically assesses the major issues and stages of
developing a pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical drug. Drug discovery,
preclinical development, clinical investigation, manufacturing,
and regulatory issues are considered for small and large molecules.
Also included are economic and financial considerations of the drug
development process and multidisciplinary perspectives from faculty
and industry guests. (Same as 10.547J, 15.136J, HST.920J)
Connection to green chemistry: understanding
the stages of drug development in its economic and financial context
contributes to understanding the feasibility and motivation for
applying the Green Principles of preventing the formation of wastes,
promoting atom economy, designing less hazardous chemical syntheses
and safer chemicals, using safer solvents and auxiliaries, designing
for energy efficiency, reducing unnecessary chemical derivatives,
using catalysis to avoid unnecessary wastes, and designing inherently
safer chemistry for accident prevention.
12.085
Seminar in Environmental Science (EAPS faculty)
Stresses integration of central scientific concepts in environmental
policy making and the chemistry, biology, and geology environmental
science tracks. Revisits selected core themes for students who have
already acquired a basic understanding of environmental science
concepts. Potential topics include: geology, geochemistry and the
politics of nuclear waste disposal; responsible environmental practices
for planetary exploration; responsible coastal land-use policy;
international regulations for protecting the open-ocean environment;
the ecological impact of environmental change; and effective policy
for dealing with natural hazards near major cities.
Connection to green chemistry: recognizing the
scientific and political basis of environmental policy making contributes
to understanding the motivations and feasibility of applying the
Green Chemicals of preventing waste rather than cleaning it up,
using safer solvents and auxiliaries, designing for energy efficiency,
designing for chemical degradation, and applying real-time analysis
for preventing the formation of hazardous substances.
BE.106
Systems Microbiology (Schauer)
Introductory microbiology from a systems perspective. Considers
microbial diversity, population dynamics, and genomics. Emphasizes
the delicate balance between microbes and humans and changes that
result in the emergence of infectious diseases and antimicrobial
resistance. Case study approach covers topics such as vaccines,
toxins, biodefense, and infections including Legionnaire’s
disease, tuberculosis, Helicobacter pylori, and plague.
Connection to green chemistry: understanding
the balance between microbes and humans contributes to creating
a foundation for applying the Green Principles of designing safer
chemicals and less hazardous chemical synthesis, designing for chemical
degradation, and applying real-time analysis for preventing the
formation of hazardous substances that might disrupt this balance.
BE.201
Mechanisms of Drug Actions (Dedon, Tannenbaum)
Chemical and biological analysis of the metabolism and distribution
of drugs, toxins and chemicals in animals and humans, and the mechanism
by which they cause therapeutic and toxic responses. Metabolism
and toxicity as a basis for drug development. Metabolic polymorphisms
and biomarkers of exposure.
Connection to green chemistry: understanding
the metabolism and spread of chemicals that interact positively
or negatively with animals and humans lays the groundwork necessary
for applying the Green Principles of designing safer chemicals and
less hazardous chemical syntheses, designing for chemical degradation,
applying real-time analysis for detecting and preventing the formation
or exposure of toxins, and adopting inherently safer chemistry for
preventing the accidental release or exposure of chemicals.
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