Catalog Course Search Details

 Department:    EASC

 Course #:    110

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5.5

 CIP:    n/a

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2024

 Course Description  

An exploration of the scientific basis for our conventional energy resources (fossil fuels, nuclear, hydro) and for renewable/sustainable energy resources (solar, wind, biomass etc.). Surveys the political, social, economic and environmental context of how our culture uses energy and the barriers to large-scale renewable energy implementation. Lab included.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: ENGL 099 with a grade of "C" or higher (or placement into college-level English); and either placement into OR co-enrollment in OR completion of a college-level Math course with a grade of "C" or higher.

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 44

Lab: 22

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0

Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic Natural Sciences  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

1. Trace energy flows and think in terms of energy systems
2. Understand the physical, chemical, biological and/or environmental frameworks from which our �conventional� & renewable/sustainable energy resources originate
3. Assess the credibility of information about energy
4. Assess the advantages and disadvantages of our �conventional� and renewable/sustainable energy resources from technological, political, economic, social and environmental perspectives
5. Know how much energy they use, for what, & where their energy comes from
6. Communicate about energy resources, energy use and the technical and social barriers to large-scale renewable energy implementation in meaningful ways
7. Make informed energy use decisions based on an understanding of impacts & consequences

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

Course Contents

1. Overview of Energy & Society
   • Energy is a physical quantity that follows precise natural laws
   • Physical and biological processes on Earth are the result of energy flow through the Earth system.
   • Various sources of energy can be used to power human activities, and often this energy must be transformed to a new form or transferred from source to destination.
   • Energy use and decisions are influenced by economic, political, environmental, & social factors.
   • The quality of life of individuals and societies is affected by energy choices.
2. Energy Basics
   • Energy is a physical quantity that follows precise natural laws. (Revisited)
   • The energy of a system or object that results in its temperature is called thermal energy.
   • Energy is neither created nor destroyed but can be transferred from system to system.
   • Energy available to do useful work decreases as it is transferred from system to system.
   • Energy comes in different forms and can be divided into categories.
   • Chemical and nuclear reactions involve transfer and transformation of energy.
3. Energy Sources / Impact of Energy Production and Use
   • Physical and biological processes on Earth are the result of energy flow through the Earth system. (Revisited)
   • Sunlight, gravitational potential, decay of radioactive isotopes, and rotation of the Earth are the major sources of energy driving physical processes on Earth.
   • Greenhouse gases affect energy flow through the Earth system.
   • Fossil and biofuels are organic matter that contains energy captured from sunlight.
   • Humans are part of Earth�s ecosystems and influence energy flow through these systems.
   • Humans transfer, transform and store energy from the environment into forms useful for human endeavors.
   • Different sources of energy and the different ways energy can be transformed, transported, and stored each have different benefits and drawbacks.
   • Environmental quality is impacted by energy choices.
4. How Energy is Used / End-use Energy Technology and Practice
   • Various sources of energy can be used to power human activities, and often this energy must be transformed to a new form or transferred from source to destination. (Revisited)
   • The amount of energy used by human society depends on many factors.
   • Humans transfer, transform and store energy from the environment into forms useful for human endeavors (transportation, electricity, buildings, manufacturing).
   • Human use of energy is subject to limits and constraints.
   • Conservation and efficiency represent important areas of untapped potential.
5. Energy Policy and Decision-Making
   • Energy decisions are influenced by economic, political, environmental, and social factors. (Revisited)
   • The quality of life of individuals and societies is affected by energy choices. (Revisited)
   • Human demand for energy is increasing but Earth has limited energy resources.
   • Behavior and design, and therefore social and technological innovation, affect the amount of energy used by human society.
   • Economic & national security as well as environmental quality are impacted by energy choices.
   • Access to energy resources (e.g. fossil fuels) affects quality of life.