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Unit outline_

OLET1672: Sustainability: Climate and Energy

Semester 1a, 2022 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Are you addicted to fossil fuels? What are the wider impacts of the forms of energy that power your life? What is the nature and scale of the problems spawned by current practices, and can we chart a pathway to a sustainable, clean future? This OLE will inform climate and energy questions with real-world data, deconstructing propositions that are constantly thrown around in the media. It will provide quantitative information to counter the morass of misinformation surrounding the supply and demand for energy and resources, raising issues of who wins and who loses when it comes to energy supply and its impacts on society and the environment. Our world faces major challenges in resource sufficiency and impacts on our biosphere, yet misinformation often drowns out fact-based reason in the public discourse. This OLE will arm you to understand and influence that debate.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Physics Academic Operations
Credit points 2
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Fabian Sack, fabian.sack@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Fabian Sack, fabian.sack@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Module 1 Quiz
Online quiz; 5 questions
5% Week 02 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Online task Module 2 quiz
Online Quiz; 7 questions
10% Week 03 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Module 3 quiz
Online quiz, 10 questions
10% Week 04 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO3
Assignment Written Report
300 word simulated letter to the editor 700 word literature review
30% Week 05 1000 words total submitted material
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Online task Module 4 quiz
Online Quiz; 5 questions
5% Week 06 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Module 5 quiz
Online Quiz; 5 questions
5% Week 07 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Group Multimedia Project
Multimedia submission.
35% Week 07 3-4 min video / 200 word submission
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Group assignment with individually assessed component = group assignment with individually assessed component ?

Assessment summary

Online Quizzes (1-5): Weekly online quizes covering topics in the lectures. Each quiz has between 5-10 questions and you can have multiple attempts at each quiz. Completing each module’s quiz is required to proceed to the next module. For full credit, the quiz must be completed by the due date.

Written Report: This consists of a 300 word simulated “letter to the editor” on a relevant climate/sustainability topic of your choosing, together with a 700 word literature review with supporting information.

Group Multimedia Project: A multimedia submission from work in teams of 3-4, with a 200-word individual reflection. The submission could take the form of a 3-4 minute video or podcast, a conference style poster presentation (single A0 page), or a 1000 word (with images) print or online magazine article or blog.

Assessment criteria

HD

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.

DI

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.

CR

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.

PS

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.

FA

Fail

0 - 49

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

AF

Absent fail

0 - 49

When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.

CN

Cancelled

No mark

When your enrolment has been cancelled.

DC

Discontinued not to count as failure

No mark

When you discontinue a unit after the relevant census date but before the DC deadline.

DF

Discontinue – fail

No mark

When you discontinue a unit after the DC deadline but before the DF deadline

FR

Failed requirements

No mark

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for units which are marked as either Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements.

SR

Satisfied requirements

No mark

When you meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for units which are marked as either Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements.

WD

Withdrawn

No mark

When you discontinue a unit before the relevant census date. WD grades do not appear on your academic transcript

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 Module 1: What's the problem? Introduction and overview of contemporary issues in climate change. Independent study (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 Module 2: Evidence Based Policy for Future Generations Independent study (2 hr) LO2
Week 03 Module 3: Meeting our Energy Needs Sustainably Independent study (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 04 Workshop: climate change in the media. Workshop (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Module 4: The Affluence Addiction Independent study (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 06 Module 5: Quantifying Energy Provision Independent study (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Workshop attendance is mandatory (either in-person or online attendance options)

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 2 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 40-50 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. Explain the current state of climate change science debate and how and why it differs from public perception.
  • LO2. Analyse the drivers of global energy needs and how they could be met sustainably.
  • LO3. Analyse the influence of individual consumption choices on global economic, environmental and social systems
  • LO4. Integrate multiple interdisciplinary perspectives on climate change
  • LO5. Communicate the urgency and need for humans to adopt sustainable practices

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

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.