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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "NS 230"
COURSE NAME: "Natural Science: Energy and the Environment"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring Semester 2012
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Gatto Renato
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 16:00-17:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
MW 17:30-18:30 by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course wants to give students a first but
comprehensive exposure to the many facets of the energy problem. After
a brief historical introduction, we'll discuss energy supply from both
largely mature technologies (fossil and nuclear fuels, hydro-power) and
upcoming renewable sources (solar, wind, geothermal, wave and tidal,
biomass). Each one of the energy options will be discussed and compared
in terms of availability, efficiency, cost and environmental impact.
An introduction to the geopolitics of energy - oil and
gas suppliers and security of access to those suppliers, international
efforts to deal with global climate change and nuclear proliferation -
will also be provided.
While the course main goal is to give students a good basic knowledge
of the scientific and technological aspects of energy production, no
prerequisite technical courses are required.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
An historical overview of the energy usage. The
present energy scenario and its unsustainability. Definition of energy
and its units of measurement. Overview of fossil fuels, nuclear fuel
and alternative energy sources. Elements of physics and chemistry as
needed to understand energy sources and energy production systems. A
more quantitative study of the various energy options and the
comparison among them, especially in terms of supply, efficiency, cost
and environmental impact. Introduction to the geopolitics of energy (energy security, climate change, nuclear proliferation).
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Provide non-science oriented students with a
good scientific and technical understanding of energy production
systems based on conventional and alternative sources. Put the student
in condition to meaningful compare different energy options, and to
make informed decisions regarding the ongoing debate surrounding the
energy issue.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Energy and the Environment (2nd ed.) | R.A. Ristinen / J.J. Kraushaar | Wiley, 2006 | 9780471739890 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Energy: Physical, Environmental, And Social Impact | Gordon J. Aubrecht | Benjamin-Cummings Publishing Company | 9780130932228 | TJ163.2 .A88 | |
| Sustainable energy - without the hot air | MacKay David J.C. | UIT Cambridge Ltd., 2009 | 978-0954452933 | TJ808 .M335. | Free download from: http://www.withouthotair.com/ |
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Homework | | 10% |
| Project & Presentation | | 20% |
| Exam 1 | | 30% |
| Exam 2 | | 30% |
| Attendance and Participation | | 10% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Final grades will be determined by the
evaluation of homework, the presentation of a project, a mid-term
written examination, a final examination, and by attendance as specified in the Assessment Method.
The final grade is obtained by converting the weighted mean grade according to the following table:
A 100 - 94
A- 93 - 90
B+ 89 - 87
B 86 - 83
B- 82 - 80
C+ 79 - 77
C 76 - 73
C- 72 - 70
D+ 69 - 67
D 66 - 63
D- 62 - 60
F 59 - 0
Additional class policies:
Cheating is not tolerated (please see the University Catalogue for the policy regarding academic dishonesty).
Coming late to class or leaving early will be possible only with permission of the instructor.
No make-up exams will be given.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Full credit for attendance will be given to
students with three or fewer unexcused absences. Four or more absences
will result in a proportional reduction of the grade.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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| Session | Session Focus | Reading Assignment | Other Assignment | Meeting Place/Exam Dates |
| Week 1 | (1) Course presentation and motivation. (2) Brief history of energy in the United States. | Instructor's notes. MacKay Part I - Motivations. DOE document. | | |
| Week 2 | (3) Energy basics. Units of energy. (4) Physics of energy: force, work, energy, power. | R&K Ch 1. Instructor's notes. | | |
| Week 3 | (5) Energy consumption. Transformation of energy. Renewable energy. (6) Introduction to fossil fuels. Petroleum. | R&K Ch 1. R&K Ch 2. | | |
| Week 4 | (7) Natural gas. Coal. (8) Unconventional fossil fuels. | R&K Ch 2. | | |
| Week 5 | (9) Air pollution. (10) Air pollution. | R&K Ch 9. Instructor's notes. | | |
| Week 6 | (11) Global effects: ozone depletion, greenhouse effect. (12) Geopolitics of energy: energy security. | R&K Ch 10. Instructor's notes. | | |
| Week 7 | (13) Geopolitics of energy: climate change. (14) Review for Exam 1. | Instructor's notes. | | |
| Week 8 | (15) Exam 1. (16) Heat engines. | R&K Ch 3. | | Midterm exam. |
| Week 9 | (17) Heat engines. (18) Renewable energy sources: introduction, solar energy. | R&K Ch 3. R&K Ch.4. | | |
| Week 10 | (19) Renewable energy sources: solar energy. (20) Renewable energy sources: hydro-power, wind power, ocean thermal energy conversion. | R&K Ch 4. R&K Ch 5. | | |
| Week 11 | (21) Renewable energy sources: biomass. (22) Renewable energy sources: geothermal energy, tidal energy, wave energy. | R&K Ch 5. | | |
| Week 12 | (23) Nuclear energy. (24) Geopolitics of energy: nuclear proliferation. | R&K Ch 6. Instructor's notes. | Projects' assignment. | |
| Week 13 | (25) Geopolitics of energy: emerging trends. (26) Geopolitics of energy: emerging trends. | Instructor's notes. | | |
| Week 14 | (27) Review for Exam 2. (28) Projects' presentation.
Exam 2. | Instructor's notes. | Projects' presentation. | Final exam according to JCU Exams Schedule. |
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