m (wikilink)
(20 intermediate revisions by one other user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{TOCright}}
{{TOCright}}
== Course Title and Instructor Information ==
:'''PSC110 - Introduction to Renewable Energy Syllabus'''
:'''Instructor Lonny Grafman''' (see contact details at [[User:Lonny]])


== Welcome ==
== Welcome ==
Welcome to PSC110 Introduction to Renewable Energy. This is a 3-credit summer course aimed at introducing
Welcome to PSC110 Introduction to Renewable Energy taught. This is a 3-credit summer course that aims to introduce, analyze and synthesize a variety of energy technologies.  The course will attempt to place renewable energy in the context of current world energy policies and technologies.


Our high rate of energy consumption is based upon cheap, but finite and polluting, energy resources.  To continue to meet our energy needs, many changes will need to take place.  Most likely, there will not be just one answer.  This course will examine the current state and possible future portfolios of energy supply, specifically focusing on renewable energies. 


Current issues in renewable energy technology, public policy, and feasibility. 
This summer course is being taught in Spain which offers an especially exciting contextDuring November 2009, Spain reached an impressive new record by meeting 45% of its electrical power demand from wind energy. This will be just one of the renewable energy technologies we examine.
Course will focus on introduction, analysis and synthesis of a variety of
renewable energy technologies such as wind, hydro, wave, solar thermal,
photovoltaic, conservation, nuclear, distribution, smart grids, biofuels, and
geothermal.
 
 
I teach about renewable energy in Northern California and in Mexico.  Each community is unique in how
they address their energy needs.  November 2009, Spain reached an impressive new record by meeting  
45% of its electrical power demand from wind. This presents a very timely, exciting context to teach
within.  
 
 
== Course Description ==




== Course Objectives ==
== Course Objectives ==


Students will understand:
This course has no prerequisites.  I expect that we will have a broad spectrum of energy backgrounds among the students entering the class.  Whether you have never studied renewable energy, or you have previously worked in the field, the objects of the course are that students will understand:
* basic science and terminology of energy technologies
* basic science and terminology of energy technologies
* various renewable energy technologies
* various renewable energy technologies
Line 36: Line 27:
* 15% Participation/Attendance
* 15% Participation/Attendance
* 10% Small Research Writeup
* 10% Small Research Writeup
* 25% Class assignments
* 25% Class Assignments
* 10% Group project
* 10% Group Project
 
===Midterm and Final===
The midterm and final are each 20 percent of your grade. There will be two quizzes.  All class material may possibly be covered on the quizzes, but material that was covered in reading, lecture, activity and homework will definitely be on the exams.  Each quiz will have a quantitative (basic math and science) and a qualitative (short answer) component.
 
===Participation/Attendance===
Participation consists of attendance (objective and randomly taken) and in class engagement (subjective) and makes up 15 percent of your grade.  Coming to every class and participating in discussions is the easiest way to receive full credit for this portion.  Two absences will have no affect on your grade.  You will fail the class if you miss classes.  Anything in between will take away some part of this 15% grade.  If you must miss, contact me before hand for a makeup.  Any attendance policy of the USAC program can supersede this agreement.
 
===Small Research Writeup===
The small research writeup makes up 10% of your grade.  The field of renewable energy is quite large.  We will be covering a subset of it.  This assignment is an opportunity for you to study some other part that interests you, and to educate your peers and others about it.  This writeup will be on Appropedia and probably viewed by hundreds of people.  We will work together to come up with the style and suggested content.  You will be graded based upon its quality and credibility.
 
===Class Assignments===
Assignments make up 25% of your grade. They will involve research into energy facts, policies and trends, as well as working with these researched values and units to quantify information and make calculations based upon known values.  Many will be short (1/4 page) and some will be longer (excel sheet). 
 
===Group Project===
The group project makes up 10% of your grade.  The objective of the project is to synthesize the learning of the course.  We will co-create this project.  The project will be graded upon how well it meets our co-created criteria and how well it demonstrates synthesis.
 
=== Grade scale ===
The following grade ranges are associated with the corresponding letter grades.  Note that while there is a B+, C+ and D+, institutionally there is no A+.
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Percent and Letter Grade
! Percent and Letter Grade
|-
|
* 95.0-100%  A
* 90.0-94.9% A-
* 87.5-89.9% B+
* 82.5-87.4% B
* 80.0-82.4% B-
* 77.5-79.9% C+
|
* 72.5-77.4% C
* 70.0-72.4% C-
* 67.5-69.9% D+
* 62.5-67.4% D
* 60.0-62.4% D-
* 00.0-59.9% F
|}


===Late Assignments===
===Late Assignments===
The pace of this course will be very fast.  No late assignments will be accepted.
The pace of this course will be very fast.  No late assignments will be accepted.


== Academic Honesty ==
=== Plagiarism and Cheating===
In attempting to cope with the various aspects of this course, the sharing of ideas will often be educationally useful. Part of my teaching philosophy is to encourage students to learn from one another and to help fellow students to learn. The team projects illustrate the collaborative approach.
Throughout this course the sharing of ideas will often be educationally useful. Part of my teaching philosophy is to encourage students to learn from one another and to help fellow students to learn.  


Collaboration on coursework is authorized in this course provided that it is done in the spirit of mutual learning and sharing of ideas. When this occurs, you should indicate the names of all persons with whom you collaborated. '''The copying of someone else’s work or ideas and representing them as your own is unethical and prohibited.''' As in most, if not all issues involving ethical considerations, it may be hard to know where to draw the line. If you do not provide the names of your co-workers, I will presume the collaboration is copying, not mutual learning. If you do collaborate, it must be noted and you are still responsible for understanding all the material.
Collaboration on coursework is authorized in this course provided that it is done in the spirit of mutual learning and sharing of ideas. When this occurs, you should indicate the names of all persons with whom you collaborated. '''The copying of someone else’s work or ideas and representing them as your own is unethical and prohibited.''' As in most, if not all issues involving ethical considerations, it may be hard to know where to draw the line. If you do not provide the names of your co-workers, I will presume the collaboration is copying, not mutual learning. If you do collaborate, it must be noted and you are still responsible for understanding all the material.


You should read:
We will be abiding by UNR's policies (thank you to Ted Batchman, Ph.D. and Christopher A. Simon, Ph.D. for the content of this section from the UNR Student Handbook):
The official [http://www.humboldt.edu/~judicial/html/conduct_code.shtml Student Code of Conduct] and [http://www.humboldt.edu/~judicial/html/academic_honesty.shtml HSU’s Policy of Academic Honesty].
 
;Subsection A - Definitions 
:Academic dishonesty is against university as well as the system community standards. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following: 
 
;Plagiarism
:defined as submitting the language, ideas, thoughts or work of another as one's own; or assisting in the act of plagiarism by allowing one's work to be used in this fashion.  


<center>'''I expect all students to abide by the HSU Code of Conduct.'''</center>
;Cheating
:defined as (1) obtaining or providing unauthorized information during an examination through verbal, visual or unauthorized use of books, notes, text and other materials; (2) obtaining or providing information concerning all or part of an examination prior to that examination; (3) taking an examination for another student, or arranging for another person to take an exam in one's place; (4) altering or changing test answers after submittal for grading, grades after grades have been awarded, or other academic records once these are official.


== Professional Ethics ==
== Tentative Schedule  ==
Below are some URLs that provide useful information of the ASCE code of ethics for Professional Engineers and ethics for engineering and science.


*[http://www.asce.org/membership/codeofethics.cfm ASCE Code of Ethics]
Below is a very tentative schedule. Some changes will occur before our first meeting as the summer schedule at the host university is set, and some changes will occur after our first meeting based upon collaborative design during our first day.
*[http://www.asce.org/membership/ethics.cfm ASCE Homepage - Ethics]
*[http://www.nspe.org/ethics/ National Society for Professional Engineers Ethics Homepage]
*[http://www.onlineethics.com/ Online Ethics for Engineering and Science]


== Course Materials ==
{| class="wikitable"
*Calculator
|-
*Memory stick or other device to back up files
!Day
*Presentation materials for final project poster and for final project document
!Topic
*Up to $100.00 in project materials ($25 – Rube Goldberg, $75 – Design Project)
|----
!colspan=2|Week 1
|----
|1
|Introduction, Expectations; What is Energy?
|----
|2
|Prefixes and units; Power and energy
|----
|3
|Conversions; Fossil fuels
|----
|4
|Global energy consumption; Individual consumption
|----
|5
|What is renewable energy?; [[Microhydro]] basics
|----
!colspan=2|Week 2
|----
|1
|Microhydro design
|----
|2
|Solar basics
|----
|3
|Solar design and policies
|----
|4
|Wind basics and policies
|----
|5
|Other technologies; Midterm exam
|----
!colspan=2|Week 3
|----
|1
|Storage and distribution
|----
|2
|Portfolios; Policies; Pollution
|----
|3
|Transportation and other technologies
|----
|4
|Community and Synthesis
|----
|5
|Presentations; Final exam
|----
|}


== Attendance ==
==Changes to Syllabus==  
Attendance at all class/lab sessions is mandatory. If you will miss a session, you must contact your instructor in advance to arrange a make up or alternate exercise. Failure to do so will result in a grade penalty. If you have more than 3 unexcused absences, you will receive an F in the course.
This course will be dynamic. We can make changes to this syllabus, and I expect we will during the first week.  


Makes-ups will only be given in extraordinary situations that are verifiable and well documented. The reason for missing work must be substantial and quite beyond the student’s control. Not many excuses are accepted. The instructor will decide whether an excuse is acceptable. One criterion for acceptance of any excuse will be its timeliness. ''Therefore, whenever possible, inform me before the missed work is due''.
== Course Materials/Textbook ==
*No textbooks will be required for this course. All readings will be online.
*Basic calculator
*Pencil
*Paper
*Eraser
*Interest and engagement :)


== Students with Disabilities ==
== Students with Disabilities ==
I encourage any student needing to request accommodations for a specific disability to please meet with me at you earliest convenience to ensure timely and appropriate accommodations.


== Add/Drop policy ==
== Professional Ethics ==
Students are responsible for knowing the University policy, procedures, and schedule for dropping or adding classes. http://www.humboldt.edu/~reg/regulations/schedadjust.html
Below are some URLs that provide useful information of the ASCE code of ethics for Professional Engineers and ethics for engineering and science.
 
== Emergency evacuation ==


*[http://www.asce.org/membership/codeofethics.cfm ASCE Code of Ethics]
*[http://www.asce.org/membership/ethics.cfm ASCE Homepage - Ethics]
*[http://www.nspe.org/ethics/ National Society for Professional Engineers Ethics Homepage]
*[http://www.onlineethics.com/ Online Ethics for Engineering and Science]




[[Category:PSC110 Introduction to Renewable Energy]]
[[Category:PSC110 Introduction to Renewable Energy]]
[[Category:Syllabi]]
[[Category:Syllabi]]

Revision as of 18:26, 8 June 2010

Course Title and Instructor Information

PSC110 - Introduction to Renewable Energy Syllabus
Instructor Lonny Grafman (see contact details at User:Lonny)

Welcome

Welcome to PSC110 Introduction to Renewable Energy taught. This is a 3-credit summer course that aims to introduce, analyze and synthesize a variety of energy technologies. The course will attempt to place renewable energy in the context of current world energy policies and technologies.

Our high rate of energy consumption is based upon cheap, but finite and polluting, energy resources. To continue to meet our energy needs, many changes will need to take place. Most likely, there will not be just one answer. This course will examine the current state and possible future portfolios of energy supply, specifically focusing on renewable energies.

This summer course is being taught in Spain which offers an especially exciting context. During November 2009, Spain reached an impressive new record by meeting 45% of its electrical power demand from wind energy. This will be just one of the renewable energy technologies we examine.


Course Objectives

This course has no prerequisites. I expect that we will have a broad spectrum of energy backgrounds among the students entering the class. Whether you have never studied renewable energy, or you have previously worked in the field, the objects of the course are that students will understand:

  • basic science and terminology of energy technologies
  • various renewable energy technologies
  • the relation between energy policy and technology adoption
  • how to critically evaluate energy technology options
    • how to use back of the envelope calculations to quickly evaluate information

Grading

You are expected to attend and participate in all class sessions. You are expected to complete the assigned readings prior to coming to class, to do the homework assignments and the online writeup.

  • 40% Midterm and Final
  • 15% Participation/Attendance
  • 10% Small Research Writeup
  • 25% Class Assignments
  • 10% Group Project

Midterm and Final

The midterm and final are each 20 percent of your grade. There will be two quizzes. All class material may possibly be covered on the quizzes, but material that was covered in reading, lecture, activity and homework will definitely be on the exams. Each quiz will have a quantitative (basic math and science) and a qualitative (short answer) component.

Participation/Attendance

Participation consists of attendance (objective and randomly taken) and in class engagement (subjective) and makes up 15 percent of your grade. Coming to every class and participating in discussions is the easiest way to receive full credit for this portion. Two absences will have no affect on your grade. You will fail the class if you miss classes. Anything in between will take away some part of this 15% grade. If you must miss, contact me before hand for a makeup. Any attendance policy of the USAC program can supersede this agreement.

Small Research Writeup

The small research writeup makes up 10% of your grade. The field of renewable energy is quite large. We will be covering a subset of it. This assignment is an opportunity for you to study some other part that interests you, and to educate your peers and others about it. This writeup will be on Appropedia and probably viewed by hundreds of people. We will work together to come up with the style and suggested content. You will be graded based upon its quality and credibility.

Class Assignments

Assignments make up 25% of your grade. They will involve research into energy facts, policies and trends, as well as working with these researched values and units to quantify information and make calculations based upon known values. Many will be short (1/4 page) and some will be longer (excel sheet).

Group Project

The group project makes up 10% of your grade. The objective of the project is to synthesize the learning of the course. We will co-create this project. The project will be graded upon how well it meets our co-created criteria and how well it demonstrates synthesis.

Grade scale

The following grade ranges are associated with the corresponding letter grades. Note that while there is a B+, C+ and D+, institutionally there is no A+.

Percent and Letter Grade Percent and Letter Grade
  • 95.0-100% A
  • 90.0-94.9% A-
  • 87.5-89.9% B+
  • 82.5-87.4% B
  • 80.0-82.4% B-
  • 77.5-79.9% C+
  • 72.5-77.4% C
  • 70.0-72.4% C-
  • 67.5-69.9% D+
  • 62.5-67.4% D
  • 60.0-62.4% D-
  • 00.0-59.9% F

Late Assignments

The pace of this course will be very fast. No late assignments will be accepted.

Plagiarism and Cheating

Throughout this course the sharing of ideas will often be educationally useful. Part of my teaching philosophy is to encourage students to learn from one another and to help fellow students to learn.

Collaboration on coursework is authorized in this course provided that it is done in the spirit of mutual learning and sharing of ideas. When this occurs, you should indicate the names of all persons with whom you collaborated. The copying of someone else’s work or ideas and representing them as your own is unethical and prohibited. As in most, if not all issues involving ethical considerations, it may be hard to know where to draw the line. If you do not provide the names of your co-workers, I will presume the collaboration is copying, not mutual learning. If you do collaborate, it must be noted and you are still responsible for understanding all the material.

We will be abiding by UNR's policies (thank you to Ted Batchman, Ph.D. and Christopher A. Simon, Ph.D. for the content of this section from the UNR Student Handbook):

Subsection A - Definitions
Academic dishonesty is against university as well as the system community standards. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Plagiarism
defined as submitting the language, ideas, thoughts or work of another as one's own; or assisting in the act of plagiarism by allowing one's work to be used in this fashion.
Cheating
defined as (1) obtaining or providing unauthorized information during an examination through verbal, visual or unauthorized use of books, notes, text and other materials; (2) obtaining or providing information concerning all or part of an examination prior to that examination; (3) taking an examination for another student, or arranging for another person to take an exam in one's place; (4) altering or changing test answers after submittal for grading, grades after grades have been awarded, or other academic records once these are official.

Tentative Schedule

Below is a very tentative schedule. Some changes will occur before our first meeting as the summer schedule at the host university is set, and some changes will occur after our first meeting based upon collaborative design during our first day.

Day Topic
Week 1
1 Introduction, Expectations; What is Energy?
2 Prefixes and units; Power and energy
3 Conversions; Fossil fuels
4 Global energy consumption; Individual consumption
5 What is renewable energy?; Microhydro basics
Week 2
1 Microhydro design
2 Solar basics
3 Solar design and policies
4 Wind basics and policies
5 Other technologies; Midterm exam
Week 3
1 Storage and distribution
2 Portfolios; Policies; Pollution
3 Transportation and other technologies
4 Community and Synthesis
5 Presentations; Final exam

Changes to Syllabus

This course will be dynamic. We can make changes to this syllabus, and I expect we will during the first week.

Course Materials/Textbook

  • No textbooks will be required for this course. All readings will be online.
  • Basic calculator
  • Pencil
  • Paper
  • Eraser
  • Interest and engagement :)

Students with Disabilities

I encourage any student needing to request accommodations for a specific disability to please meet with me at you earliest convenience to ensure timely and appropriate accommodations.

Professional Ethics

Below are some URLs that provide useful information of the ASCE code of ethics for Professional Engineers and ethics for engineering and science.

Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies.