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Unit outline_

ENVI3114: Energy and the Environment

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit covers many aspects of energy and the environment: energy resources and use; electrical power generation including fossil fuelled and alternate methods; environmental impacts of energy use and power generation including greenhouse gas emissions; transportation and pollution; energy management in buildings; solar thermal energy, photovoltaics, wind power and nuclear energy; embodied energy and net emissions analysis and, importantly, socio-economic and political issues related to energy provision.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Physics Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points of 2000-level units
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ENVI3001 or PHYS3600
Assumed knowledge
? 

Junior Physics units or Intermediate Environmental Science units

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Arne Geschke, arne.geschke@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Arne Geschke, arne.geschke@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Amanda Irwin, amanda.irwin@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Written task
take-home assignment on an energy-related topic
50% Formal exam period 3 weeks after release
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Presentation group assignment Seminar presentation
in groups of two, students will prepare and present a particular topic
20% Multiple weeks up to 10 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO8
Tutorial quiz Quizzes
4 online quizzes at beginning of lecture
10% Multiple weeks 10 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Calculation task
take-home calculation assessment based on the tutorials
20% Week 12 2 weeks after release
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO9 LO4 LO3
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Socio-economic aspects of energy; 2. Introduction to energy forms and units Lecture (2 hr) LO1
1. Welcome; 2 Course introduction Seminar (1 hr) LO2
Week 02 Traditional energy resources and electricity generation Lecture (2 hr) LO2
Week 03 Electricity generation and how do electricity markets work? Lecture (2 hr) LO3
Australia’s greenhouse response Seminar (1 hr) LO3
Week 04 Electricity Networks Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Calculations Seminar (1 hr) LO4
Week 05 Life-cycle costs of electricity and practical aspects of energy use. Lecture (2 hr) LO2
How viable is new fossil electricity generation in Australia? Seminar (1 hr) LO4
Week 06 Solar Lecture (2 hr) LO6
Solar technology: options and limitations Seminar (1 hr) LO1
Week 07 Other renewable energy technologies Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO6
Calculations 2 Seminar (1 hr) LO9
Week 08 Energy storage Lecture (2 hr) LO2
Energy research policy Seminar (1 hr) LO5
Week 09 Guest lecture: the Business approach to renewables (tbc) Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6
Calculations 3 Tutorial (1 hr) LO9
Week 10 Nuclear energy Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO8
Does nuclear energy have a future in Australia Seminar (1 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 11 Transport systems Lecture (2 hr) LO1
How do we solve the mobility problem? Seminar (1 hr) LO1
Week 12 Buildings and energy conservation Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Buildings and planning Seminar (1 hr) LO8

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Participation in the presentation seminar is mandatory for each student.
  • Required materials: You must bring your laptop/tablet to those session when quizzes are scheduled.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. be aware of the profound importance of energy in modern societies
  • LO2. understand fundamental energy concepts such as energy sources, energy conversion and energy efficiency
  • LO3. make connections between energy use, energy technology, policy and sustainable development
  • LO4. have developed analytical skills for assessing energy issues
  • LO5. have demonstrated critical thinking in the seminars and in essays on topics relating different scientific aspects of energy use
  • LO6. have a good overview of renewable energy technologies
  • LO7. explain the current general energy situation with social and economic factors, and how it is related to greenhouse gas emissions, then generalise these into different future energy scenarios
  • LO8. argue coherently for a particular point of view, both verbally and in a written form
  • LO9. do simple but comprehensive energy calculations.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Sessions and tutorials have been improved based on student feedback and latest educational research.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.