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Unit of study_
SUST5003: Energy and Resources
2025 unit information
The consumption of energy underpins human development, but it carries environmental and social costs. This unit of study examines how energy is supplied, how it is used and the impact it has on society and on the environment. The unit also looks are critical resources, the most critical being water, and how the critical resources are linked to energy. The module will examine these relationships and how the demand for water, sustainable energy and for critical minerals will require major changes in technology, policy and business systems. Students will gain an understanding of different sources of energy and their uses; the economic, environmental and societal contexts of energy and resource use; the need and scope for a transition from conventional energy sources; sound principles for analysing different resource and energy supply options; the role of international agreements and federal policy in influencing resource and energy use.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Science Faculty |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Demonstrate an understanding of energy production & use, sustainable energy resources & technologies, relevant policy matters, climate change, & energy security.
- LO2. Demonstrate an understanding of water resources and the relationship between water and energy.
- LO3. Demonstrate an understanding of key mineral resources and the relationship between mineral extraction and energy use and production
- LO4. Ability to research a variety of sources of market information, critically assess and form a judgement in the context of energy resources.
- LO5. Demonstrate an ability to argue a position on an energy related matter or topic in a convincing and well researched manner.
- LO6. Collaborate effectively and collegially with group members to develop an evidence-based policy paper
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2025
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Normal evening | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
Important enrolment information
Additional advice
This unit of study involves essay-writing. Academic writing skills equivalent to HSC Advanced English or significant consultation via the Writing Hub is assumed.
