Classes

So after trying out classes for a week, I finally figured out my schedule! The University of Limerick allows students to literally try out as many classes as they want before registering- registration is due at the end of week 2. So last week, I tried out 3 Sociology classes, 2 Political Science Classes, 4 Science classes, and my Energy class. It was definitely a long week, but one that was very beneficial. I am very happy with my schedule, so here it is:

PH4131 - Physics - Mechanics, Heat, Electricity, and Magnetism. This class was recommended to me late in the week. It is the physics class required for first-year Energy students.  Originally, I was a little worried about taking a science class in the EU. One of the major differences I have noticed when conversing with European students is the miscommunication of temperature, distance, and cooking- in short, they use the metric system! Now that I have sat through the first few days of class, however, I am very happy to be taking physics abroad. The main reason: the metric system is so much easier to use than the system in America.

ER4001 - Energy and the Environment - This class is very similar to a class that I took at UWSP with Professor Michael Reisner. The first few days of class, our professor reviewed different views on climate change and world energy challenges. This is definitely going to be one of the most interesting classes I take this semester since 1) it is taught by an Irish professor with different political views on energy topics, 2) because the source data is completely different from what I know from the US (Energy Information Administration, NREL, McKinsey & Co., etc.), and 3) because this class is putting a whole new spin on the topic. It is very quantitative based, especially focusing on thermodynamics, and the students are much more versed in chemistry, physics, and engineering than I am. Many of my previous classes have been based on policy options and the interaction of economic, political, and societal factors. I'm excited to get my hands dirty with the science behind the issues and see what I can find out.

SO4047 - Sociology of the Welfare State - In order to finish up my Social Science major, I needed to take one more Sociology course. I chose this course because of the small class size, the professor, and because I find the topic extremely interesting and relevant to my future career. The class is all about the history, current structure, and views of the welfare state. We are covering differing political ideologies, political structures, and the impact that both of these have on the state of welfare and people in countries that provide public services. I am interested in pursuing a career in public policy, and while my main passions lie in energy and environmental policy, the course falls within the same realm of social policy making. I hope to gain not only a greater understanding of the impacts of aid on political power, social equality, and citizenship, but also an understanding of whether this is a topic I want to pursue further in my career.

PA4021 - Ideas and Concepts in Public Administration - I chose to take a course on Public Administration to get a better understanding of the field of Public Policy and see if it is something I really wish to pursue. I have not gotten a chance to dive into this class much yet, but am interested to see how it goes. The professor who teaches this class has done research in environmental science, and I have heard that she uses many class examples related to the topic. Hopefully she will be a good resource for me as I continue my exploration of the field!

PH4181 - Physics - Introduction to Energy - Last week, I tried out classes that I wanted to take for my graduation requirements back home, and then decided to sit-in on a few more that I thought looked fun and relevant to my studies: these were upper-level courses in Environmental Management, Energy Resource Assessment, and Energy Efficient Buildings. At the end of the day, I ended up deciding to audit PH4181 - Introduction to Energy. This may be one of my favorite classes this semester (not because I don't have to worry about grades) because of the relevance of this course to all of my previous internships. Last summer, when I was working on energy efficiency project in Wisconsin, we used a set of spreadsheets to calculate energy and cost savings by reducing wattage of lighting fixtures, and installing other energy efficient products and practices. My first homework assignment in PH4181 was doing exactly that, but without all of the spreadsheet aids. This course is different than any other energy course I have taken so far because it is focused solely on the physics and math behind renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. I have learned more of this material in my internships than in classes at UWSP and am excited to have a class that is so applicable to the work I have done outside of school. 



**One thing that I think is interesting to note is that everyone at UL (non-American students and professors) are extremely confused by my schedule. The concepts of multiple majors, minors, and general degree requirements are not something that is well understood outside of the United States. It seems that in the rest of the world, a student in the Economics "course" (or major) takes primarily economics courses. There are some courses that have a greater interdisciplinary focus, but the concept of studying more than one subject at a time, or taking additional classes outside of one's primary subject is very foreign.