Earth 104N - Energy and the Environment

This is a sample syllabus.

This sample syllabus is a representative example of the information and materials included in this course. Information about course assignments, materials, and dates listed here is subject to change at any time. Definitive course details and materials will be available in the official course syllabus, in Canvas, when the course begins.

Overview

This course presents the past, present, and possible future response of Earth’s climate to human energy use. This course will explore the impact of a growing population, economic growth, and finite fossil fuel resources on our current energy supply system. The combination of these factors requires reduced emissions via conversion of energy systems to non-fossil fuel sources.

Objectives

Students who excel in this course are able to:

Explain how the combination of a growing population, economic growth, and finite fossil fuel resources means that our current energy supply system is not sustainable.
Use a simple model to show that carbon emissions must decrease dramatically if we are to avoid a dangerous level of global warming.
Explain how the combined costs associated with reducing emissions and climate-related damages demonstrate that the smart move is to act quickly to shift our energy system to non-fossil fuel sources.

Required Materials

Typically, there are no required materials for this course. If this changes, students will find a definitive list in the course syllabus, in Canvas, when the course begins.

Prerequisites

None

Expectations

We have worked hard to make this the most effective and convenient educational experience possible. How much and how well you learn is dependent on your attitude, diligence, and willingness to ask for clarifications or help when you need them. We are here to help you succeed. Please keep up with the class schedule and take advantage of opportunities to communicate with us and with your fellow students. You can expect to spend an average of 8 - 10 hours per week on class work.

Major Assignments

12 Quizzes (35% of total course grade)
4 Summative Assessment Activities (30% of total course grade)
5 Discussion posts and comments (10% of total course grade)
3 Self-assessments (10% of total course grade)
1 Capstone Project (15% of total course grade)

Course Schedule

Course Schedule
Module	Week	Topic	Assignment
0	1	Orientation	Post a self-introduction to the Discussion Complete the Initial Course Survey
1	2	Why Energy Matters Unfriending Fossil Fuels Dealing with Drought Running Out of Trees Running Out of Whales	Module 1 Discussion Post Module 1 Discussion Comments Quiz 1
2	3	Module 2 What is Energy? Three Examples Powering the Big Units Energy and the US Economy	Module 2 Discussion Post Module 2 Discussion Comments Quiz 2
3	4	Oil, Coal & Natural Gas \| Drilling, Fracking & Reserves The Formation and Future of Fossil Fuels Origins of Oil, Coal, and Gas How Nature Makes Coal, Oil, and Gas Reserves and Resources Future of Fossil Fuels	Summative Assessment Quiz 3
4	5	Global Warming - Physics The Unavoidable Warmness of Burning The Warming from the So-Far-Unavoidable Burning	Summative Assessment Quiz 4
5	6	Global Warming - History Who Did Start the Fire? The Projection Project	Quiz 5 Unit 1 Self-Assessment
6	7	Solar and Wind Power	Discussion Post Discussion Comments Quiz 6
7	8	Geothermal, Hydroelectric & Nuclear	Discussion Post Discussion Comment Quiz 7
8	9	Conservation Global Conservation Potential Inefficient Use of Energy Options and Opportunities for Energy Conservation Achieving the Potential of Conservation	Summative Assessment Quiz 8
9	10	Geoengineering The Geoengineering Taxonomy Albedo Modification within the Earth’s Atmosphere Albedo Modification from Space Terrestrial Sequestration Geologic Sequestration in Unmineable Coal Seams Geologic Sequestration in Deep Saline Aquifers	Quiz 9 Unit 2 Self-Assessment
10	11	Economics Paying the Piper Interesting Discounts Forever, and Ever All Together Now... Integrated Assessment Fees to Flush Dithering with the Discount Rate Getting What You Measure	Summative Assessment Quiz 10
11	12	Policy Options Policy Options and Regulations Tax and What? Harmonious Taxes Policy Pile-On The Present Policy Position	Discussion Post Discussion Comment Quiz 11
12	13	Ethical Issues Wanting What We Do Libertarians for Government Intervention? Environmentalists for Economic Growth? Sharing the Jump Ramp Fairly? Pure Rate of Time Preference Extinction Is Forever Resource Curse Risking It	Module Quiz 12 Unit 3 Self-Assessment Begin Capstone Project
Capstone Project and submit

Policies