575.733.81 - Energy and the Environment
Description
This course examines the interrelationships between the environment and the ways in which energy is produced, distributed, and used. Worldwide energy use patterns and projections are reviewed. Particular attention is paid to the electrical and transportation sectors of energy use. Underlying scientific principles are studied to provide a basis for understanding the inevitable environmental consequences of energy use. Topics studied include fossil, nuclear, and existing and potential renewable sources, including hydroelectric, geothermal, tidal, wind, and solar. Transportation options including internal combustion, hybrid, and electric options are quantitatively compared. Use of alternate fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol are evaluated. Emphasis is placed on the environmental impacts of energy sources, including local effects resulting from emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur, hydrocarbons, and particulates as well as global effects such as mercury release from coal combustion. Carbon emissions are a continuing theme as each energy technology is studied and its contribution to climate change is assessed. Carbon suppression schemes are examined. Particular attention is paid to consequences and effectiveness of government intervention and regulation. The purpose is to help students understand how energy is converted into useful forms, how this conversion impacts our environment, and how public policy can shape these impacts.
Instructor
Ralph Lightner
Course Structure
The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules on the course menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Assignments.and/or Calendar for assignment due dates.
Course Topics
Module 1: Introduction and Energy Use
Module 2: Thermodynamic Principles
Module 3: Electrical Energy and Storage
Module 4: Environmental Effects of Fossil Fuel Use
Module 5: Fossil Fueled Power Plants
Module 6: Nuclear Power Plants
Module 7: Renewable Energy
Module 8: Transportation
Module 9: Climate Change and Sustainable Energy
Module 10: Final Examination
Course Goals
To provide a technical understanding of effects of energy use on humans and their environment. To provide a review of the thermodynamic limitations of energy conversion systems, an informed awareness of the local, regional and global environmental issues related to energy systems, and to impart a professional familiarity with techniques for management, remediation, and regulation of pollution and wastes resulting from energy production.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
- Evaluate from a technical perspective, the effects of energy use on humans and their environment.
- Apply your knowledge of the benefits and limitations of energy conversion systems and your informed awareness of the local, regional and global environmental impacts related to energy systems to both existing and future sources of energy.
- Acquire a familiarity with techniques for management, remediation and regulation of pollution and wastes resulting from energy production and the application of these techniques in your evaluation of sources of energy.
Textbooks
Fay, J. A., & Golomb, D. S. (2011). Energy and the environment: Scientific and Technological Principles (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN-978-0-19-976513-3
Textbook information for this course is available online through the appropriate bookstore website: For online courses, search the MBS website.
Student Coursework Requirements
It is expected that the class will take approximately 7–8 hours per week: reading the assigned sections of the text as well as some outside reading (approximately 1–2 hours per week), listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 1 hour per week), completing small group activates (approximately 1 hour per week), participating in the large group activity (approximately 1 hour per week), completing homework assignments (approximately 2 hours per week), preparation of required issue paper and presentation (approximately 16 hours per semester).
This course will consist of the following basic student requirements:
Individual Assignments (30% of Final Grade Calculation)
Objective: Perform assigned problem solving. Problems will require either a mathematical solution or a short discussion in response to questions or both. An assignment may be one or more problems in a set. There will be approximately 10 sets per semester.
Schedule: Homework assignments will be made beginning with Week 1. Solutions will be due in one week following assignment.
Grading: Grades will be returned with comment within one week after submittal. Solutions will be published approximately 3 days after the due date.
Special Project - Issue Paper (20% of Final Grade Calculation)
Objective: Analyze a current issue involving the impact of energy use on the environment. Submit a written issue paper. Upload a recorded briefing and conduct a discussion session for the class.
Schedule:
Week 2: Select 2 or 3 topic options and submit them for approval of one of them.
Week 3: Receive topic approval and a date for uploading your briefing and the 1-week discussion period that follows.
Week 6: Submit issue paper.
Weeks 7-13: Record student briefing and upload on assigned dates.
Paper Format: The issue paper should be no more than ten pages in length and should contain the following sections:
Statement of the Issue
Introduction and Background
Analysis (quantitative if applicable)
Discussion
Conclusions
References
Presentation and Discussion: The presentation should introduce the issue, give background, and review conclusions. Use charts and graphics to the extent useful. Total time should be about 15 minutes. Discussion will take place during 7-day period following upload of the presentation, during which the class will interact with you regarding your presentation.
Note: The final examination may include material discussed in the student issue paper presentations.
Small Group Activities (15% of Final Grade Calculation)
Objective: As part of a small group of 2–3 students, you will be asked to work on an activity related to the material in the current Module. Usually, this will involve solving a mathematical problem or discussing an issue and submitting the solution as a group, along with a brief written discussion of the significance of the material to the related lecture notes (when requested). Groups will be defined in the Groups Tool on the left navigation in Blackboard.
Schedule: A total of about 18 Small Group Activities will be assigned during Weeks 1 through 13 of the course. Solutions will be due 7 days after assignment.
Grading: The grade for the solution and/or discussion will be given to each member of the group. Group membership will be defined 3 times during the semester. A solution, where applicable, will be published 3 days following the deadline for completion.
Large Group Activity (10% of Final Grade Calculation)
Objective: As part of a group of 4–5 students, you will work on a deliverable product, usually in the form of a briefing. Groups will be defined in the Groups Tool in Blackboard. You will upload the recorded briefing and conduct a discussion of your product with the whole class.
Schedule: One Large Group project will be assigned, beginning during Module 2. The deliverable will be due in Week 12. Discussion will occur during a one-week period following the upload of the presentation.
Grading: The product and discussion will be graded one week after completion and each member of the group will receive the same grade.
Final Exam (15% of Final Grade Calculation)
Objective: The final examination will be comprehensive, covering the content of the whole course and is intended to determine the extent to which each student has met the course objectives. It will be open book and open reference material. It will consist of a mix of mathematical problems and discussion questions. A total of about 3 hours will be needed to complete the examination.
Schedule: The test will be released to each student in Module 10. Solutions will be due by 11:59 pm on the final day of the Module.
Grading: The exam will be individually graded. It will be returned with comments following submittal of your final grade. Feedback afterwards will be on an individual basis.
Discussion Participation (10% of Final Grade Calculation)
Objective: Have the students actively participate in class and group discussions. One element will be the submittal and brief explanation of press clips by each student. These should reflect current public events or scientific progress in areas directly related to the topics covered by the course Modules. You are expected to upload at least 5 quality clips per semester and participate in at least 8 meaningful forum discussions.
Schedule: Continuous evaluation will be conducted by the instructor.
Grading: Results will be reflected in the final grade for the course.
Grading Policy
Academic Policies
Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses
Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.
Academic Misconduct Policy
All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.
This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.
Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility
Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.
For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.
Student Conduct Code
The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically.
For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/
Classroom Climate
JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity.
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).
Course Auditing
When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.