(Section #01 – Spring 2013)
Lecture: Mondays and Wednesdays Time: 4:00 to 5:15 PM Room: SCIC 125
Instructor: James Neff (SCIC 144; 953-5325; neffj@cofc.edu)
Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays: 3:00-3:45 PM ; Tuesdays: 12:15-1:00 PM
Text: ENERGY: Its Use and the Environment, by Hinrichs and Kleinbach (5th Edition, Thomson/Brooks Cole). This is a very readable and contemporary book that provides a good introduction and overview of the material we will be covering in this class. The publisher has placed some useful supplements on their web site. There will also be supplementary reading material provided through the course web site (https://neffj.people.cofc.edu/EVSS650/) or handed out in class. I will also provide a reading list of useful and interesting books on the various topics we will be covering.
Catalog Description: A study of the nature of energy and scientific issues relating to its production, storage, distribution, and use from a physics perspective. Production methods to be studied include: hydroelectric, fossil fuel, fission, fusion, wind, photovoltaic, biomass, geothermal, solar-dynamic, and solar passive. Scientific issues will be related to the cultural and philosophical framework surrounding energy infrastructure and policy.
Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes: This course is the physics contribution to the science core for the Environmental Studies Masters Program. It is intended to give students from diverse backgrounds a grasp of the science of energy production, distribution, and use. It will give students a firm background in the science of energy and its profound impact on our culture and environment. The approach will consist of lecture, discussion, and oral and written presentations. The basic scientific laws and description of energy will be examined in the context of real systems for production, storage, distribution, and use. Students will gain understanding of energy and methods of production. They will enhance their ability to present technical and non-technical arguments relating to energy through written and oral reports.
Assumed Background: You should be comfortable with college-level math and graphical representation of information. A little calculus would help, but it won't be essential. The class has a very diverse academic background, so any essential physics will be developed and explained during the lecture.
Work to be done in class: Class time will be divided between lecture, discussion, and a few laboratory exercises (they will be fun). Students will be expected to make a presentation to the class during the second half of the semester. Your participation in class is vital, and you will be missed if you are absent. I am hoping to arrange several "field trips" during the semester. If that works out, it will count as class time
Work to be done outside of class: In addition to assigned reading (either from the text or from the supplementary materials)... (1) I will regularly assign homework "problems". These may involve short calculations, brainteasers, or looking up and evaluating data. You should write up your solutions clearly, completely, and accurately. (2) You will be expected to prepare 2 short "critical review" papers based on articles or stories from the news media (for example, from the local newspaper or from a weekly news magazine). One paper should be about energy production, sources, or distribution, and the other should be about energy policy. These critical review papers should be about 2 pages (typed) and should describe the story (where was it published, when, in what context, and who wrote it), summarize their arguments, and then evaluate the story's accuracy, context, and significance. I'm expecting some original thought in your critical reviews. The first critical review paper will be due before Spring Break, and the second will be due before 1 April. Keep your eyes open for something interesting. It would be a good idea to get my feedback on the first paper before you complete the second.
Exams: There will be a written mid-term exam concentrating on the mathematical and physical fundamentals of energy production. There will be a written final exam concentrating on the resources, limitations, production, and distribution of energy, including renewable resources.
Grading:
|
Participation |
10% |
|
Homework |
15% |
|
Critical Reviews (2) |
10% |
|
Presentation and Report |
15% |
|
Exams (2) |
50% |
Additional Resources: I will develop a supplementary site on the world wide web at https://neffj.people.cofc.edu/EVSS650/. I welcome your feedback whether you find this to be a useful resource and your suggestions for how it can be improved.
Special Needs: If you have any special needs or disabilities that might require special arrangements to be made for any aspect of this course, please let me know at the beginning of the semester.
Lecture Schedule: (attached)