Outline

Overview

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

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Seminar presentation in groups of two, students will prepare and present a particular topic	20%	Multiple weeks	up to 10 mins
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quizzes 4 online quizzes at beginning of lecture	10%	Multiple weeks	10 mins
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Calculation task take-home calculation assessment based on the tutorials	20%	Week 10 Due date: 15 Oct 2023 at 23:59	2 weeks after release
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Written task take-home assignment on an energy-related topic	50%	Week 13 Due date: 05 Nov 2023 at 23:59	3 weeks after release
Outcomes assessed:
= 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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Socio-economic aspects of energy; 2. Introduction to energy forms and units	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	1. Welcome; 2 Course introduction	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 02	Traditional energy resources and electricity generation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Electricity generation and how do electricity markets work?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Australia’s greenhouse response	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 04	Electricity Networks	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	How viable is new fossil electricity generation in Australia?	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 05	Life-cycle costs of electricity and practical aspects of energy use.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	How much do we need to consider life-cycle effects of energy technologies?	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 06	Solar	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Solar technology: options and limitations	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 07	Other renewable energy technologies	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Which renewable technology?	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 08	Energy storage	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Calculations tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Buildings and energy conservation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Delivering reliability: gas or batteries?	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Guest lecture: climate and energy policy (tbc)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Buildings and planning	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 11	Nuclear energy	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Energy research policy	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 12	Transport systems	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Towards a carbon-neutral future	Seminar (1 hr)

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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.

Additional information

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.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
Closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual, posted in laboratories, and from staff.
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ENVI3114: Energy and the Environment

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links