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Energy and the Environment (EVSC20006)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Modern human societies have developed an apparently insatiable appetite for the production and consumption of energy, which has brought with it far-reaching adverse consequences to the environment. Energy is a well-understood aspect of science; thermodynamics describes the fundamental principles that determine the efficiency with which energy can be harvested, stored, produced, transmitted or consumed. The environmental impacts of the production and consumption of energy are less fully understood and have to be balanced against the availability of key resources, the cost of managing those resources, the efficiency with which they may be utilised and the political and ethical consequences of obtaining them.
This subject provides a quantitative survey of the chemistry and physics behind conventional and alternative energy sources, including fossil fuels, bio-fuels, the capture of energy from solar, geothermal, hydro and wind sources and their storage, and the generation of energy from nuclear fission and fusion processes. Each energy source is assessed in terms of its environmental impacts, its dependence on critical or scarce resources and the social or political consequences of reliance on that energy source with respect to long-term sustainability.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of this subject students should be able to:
- discuss the physical and chemical principles that determine the potential capacity and efficiency of energy sources and energy storage
- identify the environmental, social and political impacts of these energy sources
- obtain quantitative estimates of the resources that would be required to satisfy the current and future energy demands of a modern city
- discuss the issues involved in balancing the demand for energy production against the potential adverse consequences of adopting these sources
Generic skills
- the ability to comprehend complex concepts and effectively communicate this understanding to the general public;
- the ability to critically analyse and solve abstract technical problems using data acquired through a range of technologies
- the ability to assimilate and apply the learnt concepts to a broad range of scientific problems within a scientific paradigm
- the ability to use conceptual and quantitative models to rationalise observations
- project planning and delivery skills including, planning and time-management, report-writing and working in collaborative groups
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
- 12.5 points in first year Chemistry or Physics
- VCE Maths Methods or equivalent (including admission into the Bachelor of Science)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
group assignment
| Week 8 | 20% |
midsemester test
| Week 5 | 10% |
Exam
| During the examination period | 70% |
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Robyn Schofield Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 48-hours total: 3 lectures per week for 12 weeks, 1 tutorial per week for 12 weeks Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
R. A. Ristinen, J. J. Kraushaar, J. Brack, Energy and the Environment, 3rd edition, Wiley 1996
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 27 April 2024