EGEE 401
Energy in a Changing World

EGEE 401 Syllabus (Summer 2017)

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This syllabus is divided into several sections. You can read it sequentially by scrolling down the length of the document or by clicking on any of the links below to “jump” to a specific section. That being said, it is essential that you read the entire document, as well as material covered in the Course Orientation. Together, these serve the role of our course "contract."


Dr. Vera Cole

Dr. Vera Cole
Senior Lecturer, Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering
Lead Faculty, Energy and Sustainability Policy, BA and BS programs
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University

  • Phone: (215) 258-0526
  • E-mail: Please use the course e-mail system in CANVAS.
  • Office Hours: I will check for and reply to messages at least once a day. Please contact me to make an appointment if you’d like to speak to me at a given time. I am flexible and will make every effort to accommodate your schedule.

Course Overview

EGEE 401: ENERGY IN A CHANGING WORLD (3 credits). Energy is in transition, with increased international energy demand and increasing environmental pressures. Energy transitions, approaches, and outcomes are addressed.

Prerequisites: EGEE 101 or EGEE 102 or CHEM 112. Please note, per university prerequisite policy students who do not meet these prerequisites may be dis-enrolled. If you have not yet completed at least one of these courses, please contact the instructor to request a waiver or drop this course and retake it at a later date.

The role of energy is increasingly important in light of imminent climate change, critical ecological constraints, transitioning energy policies, supply disruption and competition for energy. This course evaluates the existing energy infrastructure and energy/fuel use, both domestic and international, along with evolving technologies and implementation challenges to manage and meet growing energy demands. This course seeks to provide a holistic view and to serve all students interested in an energy or energy–related career. Students will understand the interrelationships between legislative, technology, environmental, and international factors associated with energy production, processing, distribution, and utilization.

EGEE 401 is conducted entirely on the World Wide Web. There will be no set class meeting times, but you will be required to complete weekly assignments. The course begins with a course orientation that provides important information about the course and the course environment, as well as a quiz covering that information, which you must pass with a 100% in order to unlock the rest of the course. (You'll be able to take the quiz as many times as needed until you reach 100%.)

There are 11 lessons, divided into 5 units of study, which will be completed at a rate of 1 lesson per week, followed by one Capstone Project. Assignments will be in the form of Lesson Activities (based on assigned reading for each lesson and utilizing models and data from a range of sources), Discussion Forums (lively discussion of questions involving personal opinion and original thinking), and a Capstone Project (Letters to the Editor, Research Paper or a Lesson Plan on topics of your choice subject to instructor approval). Due dates for all assignments are posted on the course calendar in CANVAS.

What I expect of you

On average, most students will spend at least eight hours per week working on course assignments. Your workload may be more or less depending on your prior experience with computing and the Web in general, and with the course topics in particular.

I have worked hard to make this the most effective and convenient educational experience possible. The Internet is still a novel learning environment, but in one sense it is no different than a traditional college class: how much and how well you learn is ultimately up to you. You will succeed if you are diligent about keeping up with the class schedule, and if you take advantage of opportunities to communicate with me, as well as with your fellow students.

Specific learning objectives for each lesson and project are detailed within each lesson. The class schedule is published on the course calendar in CANVAS.


Course Goals:

Increasingly, energy is an issue influencing national security, quality of life, national economics, and global as well as local environmental challenges. Oil and coal companies have undergone transformations into energy companies. Energy is intrinsically linked to the environment and the international challenges of producing and utilizing energy at reasonable cost with the appropriate human and environmental concerns. It is desirable to produce engineers, scientists and energy business personnel who understand the energy system at a holistic level, and yet, still retain the appropriate engineering/science/business skills to meet the challenges ahead. This course provides this holistic experience and introduces the students to the many aspects of energy/environmental engineering and energy business.

Learning Objectives: Unit 1—Energy Principles

With the successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • describe energy in many natural forms;
  • relate energy to power;
  • work with energy-related units of measurement and convert between systems;
  • relate energy concepts to the world around you;
  • explain how energy transforms from one type to another;
  • define energy efficiency;
  • understand descriptions of machines and processes that transform energy;
  • relate energy concepts to the world around you;
  • master new energy-related topics, actively, and with meaning.

Learning Objectives: Unit 2—Environmental Challenges

With the successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • explain current climate change impacts locally and globally;
  • describe how climate modeling is used to make projections;
  • explain projected climate change impacts locally and globally;
  • relate the impacts of climate change to your life and locale;
  • draw a diagram depicting and quantifying the greenhouse effect;
  • understand the carbon cycle and its role in climate change;
  • relate energy consumption to greenhouse gas emissions;
  • differentiate between greenhouse gases and their respective impact on the environment.

Learning Objectives: Unit 3—International Electricity: Generation, Use and Growth

With the successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • quantify electricity demand domestically and internationally;
  • draw a diagram showing how electricity is transmitted and distributed from the point of generation to the point of use;
  • describe how the power grid works now and may work in the future (the "smart grid");
  • list non-renewable energy sources along with fuel sources, process byproducts and environmental issues related to each;
  • explain the carbon-management methods of carbon capture and sequestration;
  • describe combined-cycle and combined heat and power applications;
  • list some renewable energy sources that are used to generate electricity;
  • describe how electricity is generated from these renewable energy sources;
  • compare process byproducts and environmental issues related to electricity generation from renewable energy sources;
  • consider both the promise and issues related to renewable energy sources for electricity;
  • quantify the amount of electricity generated from renewable fuel sources.

Learning Objectives: Unit 4—Transportation Fuel Use and Challenges

With the successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • explain how a combustion engine works;
  • quantify demand for transportation fuels;
  • define the oil refining process and products;
  • relate the consumption of transportation fuels to their impact on the environment;
  • describe the difference between motors/engines that use different types of fuels;
  • discuss the relative merits of emerging transportation fuel technologies;
  • relate the consumption of transportation fuels to environmental impacts;
  • weigh the advantages and disadvantages of different vehicle alternatives.

Learning Objectives: Unit 5—Environmental Solutions: Technical and Legislative Approaches

With the successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • understand and explain to others “stabilization wedges”;
  • recommend multi-faceted approaches for managing carbon emissions;
  • apply life cycle assessment principles to your everyday activities and decision making;
  • form and defend a personal opinion on energy/climate legislative issues such as cap and trade, renewable energy standards, and energy credits;
  • research federal and state energy incentives and describe their eligibility criteria;
  • think in terms of policy that balances economic, security, and environmental concerns.

All materials needed for this course are presented in our course website or in CANVAS. No text book is required. In order to take this course, you need to have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password (used to access the online course resources). If you have any questions about obtaining or activating your Penn State Access Account, please contact the World Campus.

Using the Library

Penn State's library resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Library Resources and Services for World Campus and Distance Education site, you can:

  • access electronic databases, and even full text articles, from the LIAS Fast Track,
  • borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep...or even your desktop,
  • access materials that your instructor has put on Electronic Reserve,
  • talk to reference librarians in real time using the "Virtual Reference Service,"
  • ...and much more.

Assignments and Grading

Due Dates: Please see course calendar in Canvas for all assignment due dates. Late work is not accepted for credit. If you have an unforeseeable personal, medical or family emergency and must request an exception to this policy, please contact the instructor immediately and directly. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  • Lesson Activities

Each lesson is accompanied by an Activity based on assigned reading for each lesson and utilizing models and data from a range of sources. The idea is to promote learning (and retention!) by applying new information in interesting ways and, when possible, relating it to your world. The Activity assignments are presented as CANVAS quizzes with a variety of questions types--including many that are open "essay" style questions, which are manually graded. The point value varies and is indicated for each. Some questions are graded automatically and some are manually graded.

Unless noted otherwise, correct answers come directly from the content of this lesson and assigned readings. Do not "google around" to search for answers. Answers that do not correspond to the material as presented in the course content will be scored as incorrect. If you ever have questions about this, please contact the instructor before submitting your assignment and allow at least 24 hours to receive a response.

The Lesson Activities are not timed, but close at 11:59 pm EST on the due date as shown in CANVAS.

The Lesson Activities are the primary learning and assessment tool for this course. Many require reflection, interpretation and independent thinking on your part. If you have questions, please post in the Questions about EGEE 401? Discussion. I will read daily and reply as needed.

Quizzes are available to you a full week before the due date. It is your responsibility to plan and do the work on a timely basis. Start early and give yourself the time to reflect on the material, ask questions and do your best work. I strongly advise that you not wait until the last minute to complete these assignments! It is your responsibility to plan and do the work on a timely basis. Give yourself a chance to get the most out of this course! Start early and give yourself the time to reflect on the material, ask questions (and get answers!) and do your best work.

  • Discussions

Each unit includes a topic where you will be asked to weigh in with your opinion and comment on the thoughts of others. As long as you respect others and stick to the facts, there is no right or wrong here. Go for it! Openly express and explore new ideas. Exchange opinions and experience. Disagree and say why. This IS academic inquiry. It is why we are here. Meaningful engagement requires, of course, an atmosphere where each of us feels safe expressing our ideas because we trust one another to respond with warmth and respect.

This safe and ecnouraging place is created by YOU. Before this class starts, the Discussion is a blank slate. With each posting and response, you build trust in one another and interest in the course content. This doesn't mean that you always agree with one another, in fact far from it. Respectful disagreement is the best way to build trust and openness! This means a posting with enthusiasm and information to support your position (or challenge another's) is terrific, but no personal attacks, no name calling, and no threatening language of any kind. Period. Any postings of this nature will result in a score of 0 and may be reported to the Office of Student Conduct. This isn't a limitation of your free speech; it's a protection of your right to free speech! So, please, write with passion and fervor. Mean what you say, and say what you mean! Just remember to respect your mates and trust that you can expect the same from them.

Initial Posting (75%): Full credit given for response that address all points given in Discussion directions. Otherwise, credit is proportional to level of completeness. Up to 3 days after Initial Posting Due Date, -25 points. More than 4 days late, no credit.

Reply Posting (25%): Full credit given for a response with substance (e.g., more than, “I agree!”) and posted before discussion closes. Otherwise, no credit.

  • Capstone Project

At the end of this course, you'll research and write Letters to the Editor or a Research Paper or, if you are a teacher, prepare a Lesson Plan to teach to others. You choose!

Breakdown of each assignment's value as a percentage of total course grade.

Assignment Percent of Grade
Course Orientation (Introduction and Survey) 2%
Lesson Activities 75%
Discussions 15%
Capstone Project 8 %

I will use the CANVAS gradebook to keep track of your grades and you can see your grades there. Overall course grades will be determined as follows. Percentages refer to the proportion of all possible points earned.

Letter Grade and Corresponding Percentages
Letter Grade Percentages
A
93–100%
A-
90–92.9%
B+
87–89.9%
B
83–86.9%
B-
80–82.9%
C+
77–79.9%
C
70–76.9%
D
60–69.9%
F
<60%
X
Unsatisfactory (student did not participate)

EGEE 401 Course Schedule

imagePrintable Schedule

Below you will find a summary of the learning activities for this course and the associated time frames. This course is 15 weeks in length.

EGEE 401 Course Schedule

Lesson

Tasks

WEEK 1

Course Orientation

  • Perform tasks outlined in course orientation to become familiar with the course and the course environment.
  • Post a self-introduction to the course discussion .
  • Complete a student survey to help the instructor learn more about you and your course expectations.
  • Take the Course Information Quiz and pass with a score of 100%  in order to gain access to the course content.
Unit 1—Energy Principles

due WEEK 2

Lesson 1:
Energy Forms

  • Read Lesson and all related materials.
  • Complete and submit Lesson 1 Activity.
  • Begin participation in Discussion for this Unit.

due WEEK 3

Lesson 2:
Energy Transformations

  • Read Lesson and all related materials.
  • Complete and submit Lesson 2 Activity.
  • Complete participation in Discussion for this Unit.
Unit 2—Environmental Challenges

due WEEK 4

Lesson 3:
Climate Change: Current and Projected Impacts

  • Read Lesson and all related materials.
  • Complete and submit Lesson 3 Activity.
  • Begin participation in Discussion for this Unit.

due WEEK 5

Lesson 4:
Processes of Climate Change

  • Read Lesson and all related materials.
  • Complete and submit Lesson 4 Activity.
  • Complete participation in Discussion for this Unit.
Unit 3—International Electricity: Generation, Use and Growth

due WEEK 6

Lesson 5:
Electricity Demand and Management

  • Read Lesson and all related materials.
  • Complete and submit Lesson 5 Activity.
  • Begin participation in Discussion for this Unit.

due WEEK 7

Lesson 6:
Electricity Energy Sources: Non-Renewable

  • Read Lesson and all related materials.
  • Complete and submit Lesson 6 Activity.
  • Continue participation in Discussion for this Unit.
  • Submit Capstone Project Topic & Scope.

due WEEK 8

Lesson 7:
Electricity Energy Sources: Renewable

  • Read Lesson and all related materials.
  • Complete and submit Lesson 7 Activity.
  • Complete participation in Discussion for this Unit.
  • Continue work on Capstone Project.
Unit 4—Transportation Fuel Use and Challenges

due WEEK 9

Lesson 8:
Transportation Fuels: Non-Renewable

  • Read Lesson and all related materials.
  • Complete and submit Lesson 8 Activity.
  • Begin participation in Discussion for this Unit.
  • Continue work on Capstone Project.

due WEEK 10

Lesson 9:
Transportation Fuels: Alternatives

  • Read Lesson and all related materials.
  • Complete and submit Lesson 9 Activity.
  • Complete participation in Discussion for this Unit.
  • Continue work on Capstone Project.
Unit 5—Environmental Solutions: Technical and Legislative Approaches

due WEEK 11

Lesson 10:
Assessment and Technical Solutions

Capstone Project

  • Read Lesson and all related materials.
  • Complete and submit Lesson 10 Activity.
  • Begin participation in Discussion for this Unit.
  • Complete and submit Capstone Project.

due WEEK 12

Lesson 11:
Legislative and Policy Approaches

  • Read Lesson and all related materials.
  • Complete and submit Lesson 11 Activity.
  • Complete participation in Discussion for this Unit.

Course Policies

Technical Requirements

For this course, we recommend the minimum technical requirements outlined on the Dutton Institute Technical Requirements page, including the requirements listed for same-time, synchronous communications. If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Outreach Helpdesk (for World Campus students) or the ITS Help Desk (for students at all other campus locations).

Internet Connection

Access to a reliable Internet connection is required for this course. A problem with your Internet access may not be used as an excuse for late, missing, or incomplete coursework. If you experience problems with your Internet connection while working on this course, it is your responsibility to find an alternative Internet access point, such as a public library or Wi-Fi ® hotspot.

Mixed Content

This site is considered a secure web site which means that your connection is encrypted.  We do however link to content that isn't necessarily encrypted.  This is called mixed content.  By default, mixed content is blocked in Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome.  This may result in a blank page or a message saying that only secure content is displayed.  Follow the directions on our technical requirements page to view the mixed content.

Penn State E-mail Accounts

All official communications from the Penn State World Campus are sent to students' Penn State e-mail accounts. Be sure to check your Penn State account regularly, or forward your Penn State e-mail to your preferred e-mail account, so you don't miss any important information.

Academic Integrity

This course follows the guidelines for academic integrity of Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Penn State defines academic integrity as "the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner." Academic integrity includes "a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation, or deception." In particular, the University defines plagiarism as "the fabrication of information and citations; submitting others' work from professional journals, books, articles, and papers; submission of other students' papers, lab results or project reports and representing the work as one's own." Penalties for violations of academic integrity may include course failure. To learn more, see Penn State's "Plagiarism Tutorial for Students."

Course Copyright

All course materials students receive or to which students have online access are protected by copyright laws. Students may use course materials and make copies for their own use as needed, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s express permission is strictly prohibited. University Policy AD 40, the University Policy Recording of Classroom Activities and Note Taking Services addresses this issue. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct, and/or liable under Federal and State laws.

For example, uploading completed labs, homework, or other assignments to any study site constitutes a violation of this policy.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contact information for every Penn State campus: Contacts for Disability Resources at all Penn State Campuses. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources (SDR) website.

In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled. You will participate in an intake interview and provide documentation, see Applying for Services from Student Disability Resources. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

Counseling and Psychological Services

Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional wellbeing.  The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings.  These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity and sexual orientation. Services include the following:

Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park  (CAPS): 814-863-0395
Counseling and Psychological Services at Commonwealth Campuses
Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 877-229-6400
Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741

Reporting Bias-Motivated Incidents

Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated (Policy AD29 Statement on Intolerance) and can be reported through Educational Equity via Report Bias.

Military Personnel

Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.

Inclement Weather

In case of weather-related delays at the University, this online course will proceed as planned. Your instructor will inform you if there are any extenuating circumstances regarding content or activity due dates in the course due to weather delays. If you are affected by a weather-related emergency, please contact your instructor at the earliest possible time to make special arrangements.

Connect Online with Caution

Penn State is committed to educational access for all. Our students come from all walks of life and have diverse life experiences. As with any other online community, the lack of physical interaction in an online classroom can create a false sense of anonymity and security. While one can make new friends online, digital relationships can also be misleading. Good judgment and decision making are critical when choosing to disclose personal information with others whom you do not know.

Participation in Peer-to-Peer Activities

This course follows the Energy and Sustainability Policy programs' Constructive Participation in ESP Peer-Peer Activities policy for student participation in peer-to-peer activities in ESP courses, such as group discussions, team projects and peer reviews of another’s work. In all peer-to-peer learning activities, students are expected to participate constructively with others in the practice and development of effective communication skills. This means NO personal attacks, NO name calling, and NO threatening language of any kind. Consequences may include losing the opportunity to participate in (and earn credit for) all remaining peer-to-peer assignments for the duration of the course. Any instance of threatening language will be reported to the Penn State Office of Student Conduct.

Attendance

This course will be conducted entirely online. There will be no set class meeting times, but you will be required to complete weekly assignments with specific due dates. Many of the assignments are open for multiple days, so it is your responsibility to complete the work early if you plan to travel or participate in national holidays, religious observances or University approved activities.

If you need to request an exception due to a personal or medical emergency, contact the instructor directly as soon as you are able. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.


Disclaimer

Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus can be changed at any time, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. All changes will be communicated with you via e-mail, course announcement and/or course discussion forum.