PHY3067 - Module Description

MODULE TITLE	Energy and the Environment					CREDIT VALUE	15
MODULE CODE	PHY3067		MODULE CONVENER			Mr T.A. Mitchell, Dr D. Lash, Mr A. Rowson and Mr A.D.S. Norton

DURATION	TERM	1	2	3	Number Students Taking Module (anticipated)		84
	WEEKS	T1:01-11

DESCRIPTION – summary of the module content (100 words)

Students will work individually and in groups in order to engage with the technical, economic and social issues arising from energy-use and environmental change. They will study these in sufficient depth to allow them to make informed and quantitative judgements about proposals to ameliorate environmental damage by policy and other changes. They also have the opportunity to exercise these skills by examining a 'real world' issue as the topic of a group research-project and report.

MODULE AIMS – intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the interdisciplinary issues surrounding energy use and environmental change. Energy is mainly derived from fossil fuels; there are two problems with this energy source. The first is that it is finite, and so in the future we must move to sustainable energy sources. Secondly, fossil fuels pollute the environment on both a local and a global scale.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

analyse and compare alternative potential solutions to environmental and energy supply issues using their knowledge of a wide range of energy technologies and energy-related environmental issues;
in the overall context of the need to reduce global fossil fuel consumption:
- quantify the scope for efficiency improvements in electricity production,
- evaluate the relative potentials of a range of renewable energy technologies,
- quantify and compare various demand management measures,
- calculate heat loss from buildings and identify effective conservation measures,
- distinguish between local and global pollution effects;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

work in a group to analyse a problem and hence:
- use literature and other search methods to acquire the necessary data,
- order and analyse data from diverse sources to support an argument,
- quantify each element and produce a rational comparison of options,
- summarise the complex and difficult issues into a convincing conclusion,
- write a convincing and coherent account of their analysis;

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

distinguish between competing solutions by making a quantitative assessment of the efficacy of each;
work in groups, i.e. define and share tasks, cooperate with others, discuss and form a consensus agreement;
communicate a coherent and convincing technical argument in writing;
communicate clearly with an audience by making a ten-minute oral presentation and responding to questions from the audience.

SYLLABUS PLAN – summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Lectures
1. Energy – an Introduction
2. Fossil Fuels
3. Climate Change
4. Economics
5. Nuclear Power
6. Energy from Wind and Water
7. Solar Energy and Photovoltaics
8. Heat 1
9. Heat 2
10. Future Technologies
11. Transport Sector
12. Industrial Sector
13. Energy in Buildings
14. Industrial and Commercial
15. Adaptation, Mitigation and Policy
Tutorials
1. Data Precision and Accuracy
2. Group Roles
3. Project Management Tools
4. Report Writing and Referencing
5. Group Project Mentoring 1
6. Data vs Information
7. Group Project Mentoring 2
8. Data Processing and Visualisation
9. Group Project Mentoring 3
10. Presentation Skills
11. Student Presentations 1
12. Student Presentations 2
Group Project
Working in groups of about six, students will analyse and compare alternative approaches to a problem; possible topics include, for example, "Assessing the potential for a renewable Crediton", "A quantified strategy for zero carbon University of Exeter campuses", etc. A group will produce a report and present its findings to the rest of the class at the end of the module. Refer to the Learning and Teaching section for further details. Sharp's Method will be used to assign individual marks within each group.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities

27 hours

Guided independent study

123 hours

Placement/study abroad

0 hours

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS