Released December 1, 2010
URBANA, Ill. - The Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research (CABER) in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois is offering an online class in bioenergy systems (ACES 409) for the Spring 2011 semester. The online class will meet January 18 - May 10 on Tuesdays from 6:30-9:00 p.m. CST.
ACES 409 Bioenergy Systems is an online introductory survey course of a wide range of bioenergy issues. Lectures will be presented by the course instructors as well as several experts from industry and academic research. Presentations will be delivered via an online virtual environment (see http://www.Elluminate.com) optimized for learning that will allow students to interact with presenters and other participants and ask questions in a "live" synchronous format.
Topics span the entire life cycle of biofuels from feedstock production to end-product utilization.
"We're excited to offer this class in bioenergy online. We've been teaching it on campus for three years and have had several requests to offer the information in an online format," said Hans Blaschek, Director of CABER. "Technology is changing so quickly in the bioenergy arena. This class should be beneficial to people throughout the world who are interested in learning more about bioenergy technology and research initiatives at the U of I."
Besides gaining an understanding of each topic presented and progress made in that area, students will learn how each issue fits into the broader bioenergy context and the challenges that remain. This course was designed for students wanting to know more about the status of current bioenergy systems in the U.S. and the opportunities that lie ahead.
To register, go to http://www.outreach.uiuc.edu, select "NON-DEGREE Registration." Course tuition/fees are $1167 for 3 credit hours. Interested participants may register until January 18, however early registration is recommended.
Bioenergy topics for ACES 409 include:
- Agronomy of bioenergy crops
- Harvest, storage and transportation issues
- Ethanol production via biochemical processing of sugar, starch and lignocellulose
- Co-products and downstream processes for product recovery
- Thermochemical processes for bioenergy production
- Biobutanol and biodiesel production
- Economics of bioenergy systems
- Life cycle analysis and environmental implications
- Computer and genomic-based tools
- Legal and political issues
For questions about the course content, contact Eric Anderson at eander32@illinois.edu or 217-244-9270.
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University of Illinois, http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/news/stories/news5506.html
Source: Natalie Bosecker, 217-244-9273, natalieb@illinois.edu
