(Section #01 –
Spring 2013)
Lecture: Tuesdays and Thursdays Time: 10:50 to 12:05 PM Room:
SCIC 303
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/PHYS350/)
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: The science and technology of solar, nuclear,
fuel cell, geothermal, wind, hybrid, and other energy systems. A study of the
nature of energy and scientific issues relating to its production, storage,
distribution, and use from a physics perspective. Lecture and lab.
Course
Objectives and Learning Outcomes: This course is the core
of the new physics concentration in Energy Production. Students will apply their background in
basic physics to address current and future issues in energy production,
distribution, and use. This course will give students a firm background in the
science of energy and its profound impact on our culture and the environment. The
basic scientific laws will be examined in the context of real systems for
production, storage, distribution, and use. Most students who take this course will then complete the
entire physics degree but with an eye to energy-related applications, including
developing renewable energy sources of the future. The approach will consist of
lecture, discussion, and oral and written presentations. There will be a separate 3-hour lab each
week. Students will gain a broad understanding of energy and methods of
production, and they will identify specialty areas that might interest them as
they complete their physics training. They will enhance their ability to
present technical and non-technical arguments relating to energy through
written and oral reports.
[over]
Work to be done in
class: Class time will be divided between lecture and
discussion. Students will be expected to make a presentation to the class
during the second half of the semester. Your participation in class is vital. 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 also 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 two mid-term exams concentrating on the mathematical and physical
fundamentals as well as the current methods of energy production. There will be a comprehensive final
exam.
Grading:
|
Participation & Presentations |
25% |
|
Homework & Critical Reviews |
25% |
|
Exams (3) |
50% |
Additional
Resources: I
will develop a supplementary site on the world wide web at https://neffj.people.cofc.edu/PHYS350/. 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)