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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "NS 230"
COURSE NAME: "Energy and the Environment"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Margaret Kneller
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
Wednesdays, from 1 to 2 pm, and 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. This semester we will devote an equal amount of time to fossil fuels, non-fossil fuels (renewable and nuclear energy), and geopolitics of energy. After a brief historical introduction, we will present an overview of energy production from petroleum, natural gas and coal, including non-conventional fossil fuel sources (e.g., shale gas, tar sands) and their potentialities. The main environmental consequences of fossil fuel usage, pollution and global warming, will be briefly discussed. Both renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biomass) and nuclear energy will be presented in-depth. The last part of the course will deal with geopolitics of energy - oil and gas suppliers and security of access to those suppliers, and international efforts to deal with global climate change. An introduction to the economical aspects of energy will also be provided if time permits. While one of the main goals of the course is to give students a good basic knowledge of the scientific and technological aspects of energy production, no prerequisite technical courses are required, as all the needed topics in the realm of computation and sciences will be provided self-consistently. However, the students must be curious and open-minded about science, and be willing to learn how to solve basic energy problems with the aid of a scientific calculator.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Historical overview of the energy usage. The present energy scenario based on fossil fuels. Elements of physics and chemistry as needed to understand energy sources and energy production systems. A more quantitative study on energy production from from fossil fuels, including a discussion of various units of measurements. Renewable energy sources: solar, wind, hydro, biomass, tidal, wave, geothermal. Nuclear energy. Geopolitics of energy: historic developments, present issues and future directions (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 |
| No Text to Buy, Readings are the On Reserve Text, and References given in Class. | various authors | various | xxx | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Energy and the Environment (2nd ed.) | R.A. Ristinen / J.J. Kraushaar | Wiley | 9780471739890 | | |
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 TJ | TJ163.2 .A88 | |
| Sustainable energy - without the hot air | MacKay David J.C. | UIT Cambridge Ltd. | 978-0954452933 | TJ808 .M335 | |
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| 5 Short Research Papers | Research papers approximately every 2.5 weeks, with references, of 1 to 2 pages in length (page length excludes any figures and the bibliography). The topics will be assigned, and relevant to the syllabus. TurnitIn may be used to check for Copying, without Citations. | 30% |
| Midterm | Definitions and Short Essays. | 30% |
| Final | Definitions and Short Essays. | 30% |
| Class Participation | Class Participation relevant to the Materials Covered. | 10% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A90%-100% The student demonstrates complete, accurate, and critical knowledge of all the topics, and is able to solve problems autonomousl
B80%-89% The student usually has an accurate knowledge of the subject matter and uses clear logic in his/her arguments.
C60%-79% This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
D50%-59% The student has a superficial knowledge of the subject matter, is uncertain and makes many errors.
FBelow 50% This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Regular attendance and active participation in class is required, more than four unexcused absences will lower the grade by one level (e.g. from A to B).
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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
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Session Focus
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Text Assignment
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News Articles
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Exam Dates
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Week 1
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(1) Course presentation and motivation. (2) Brief history of energy in the United States.
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°MacKay Part I - Motivations.
°H1. History Energy US, DOE
°Slides 1
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NEWS ARTICLES WILL BE ADDED DURING THE SEMESTER … RELEVANT INFORMATION WILL SHOW UP ON THE EXAMS—see the File <E and E News.docx>
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Week 2
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(3) Energy basics. Units of energy. (4) Physics of energy: force, work, energy, power.
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R&K Ch 1.
Slides 2 History Energy
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Week 3
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(5) Energy consumption. Transformation of energy. Renewable and non-renewable energy. (6) Conventional fossil fuels. Petroleum.
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R&K Ch 1. R&K Ch 2.
Slides 3 Energy Units
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Week 4
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(7) Natural gas. (8) Coal.
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R&K Ch 2.
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Week 5
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(9) Unconventional fossil fuels: shale gas, tar sands, coal-bed methane. (10) Air pollution.
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R&K Ch 2. R&K Ch 9. Instructor's notes.
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Week 6
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(11) Air pollution. (12) Greenhouse gases and climate change.
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R&K Ch 10. R&K Ch 3. Instructor's notes.
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Week 7
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(13) Exam 1. (14) The population problem and the tragedy of the commons. Environmental Ethics.
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Instructor's notes.
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Midterm exam.
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Week 8
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(15) Geopolitics of energy: energy security (16) Geopolitics of energy: energy security. (17) Geopolitics of energy: climate change. (18) Geopolitics of energy: climate change.
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"The Geopolitics of Energy: From Security to Survival", by C. Pascual. "Note: Geopolitics of Energy - Background Paper", by N. Pamir. "The Geopolitics of Climate Change", by J. Barnet.
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Week 9
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(*) Energy for Transport
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Week 10
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(19) Solar energy. (20) Solar energy.
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R&K Ch 4. R&K Ch 5.
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Week 11
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(21) Nuclear energy. (22) Nuclear energy.
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R&K Ch 6.
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Week 12
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(23) Renewable energies: hydro, wind, ocean. (24) Renewable energies: biomass.
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R&K Ch 5.
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Week 13
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(25, 26) Renewable energies: geothermal, tidal, wave.
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R&K Ch 5.
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Week 14
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(27) Summary. (28) Exam 2.
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FINAL EXAM according to JCU SCHEDULE—NO RESCHEDULING.
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