EARTH 344 explores "fossil and renewable" energy resources, including quantitative assessments of internal and external costs, geologic constraints on production and consumption trends, geologic constraints on raw materials needs for renewable energy infrastructure, and political and public policy challenges. Site visits make energy come alive by allowing students an up close view of where the energy comes from on the other end of their gas hot water heater or the outlet they plugged their iPhone into. This year, visits include the Pinedale natural gas fields, Duke Energy's Campbell Hill wind farm and Idaho Falls Gem State hydroelectric facility. The academic diversity of the class includes majors from business, economics, finance, environmental science, engineering and philosophy.