Energy Pathways to Net-Zero (EVSC30009)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions will involve a significant transformation of the global energy system. This will fundamentally change where energy is generated and how it is consumed. These required changes will have broad economic, socio-environmental, and geopolitical challenges. Such as, the uneven endowment of wind and solar resources in regions that may be rich in biodiversity, with or without large human populations, or existing transmission infrastructure. However, continuing to rely on fossil fuels also exposes nations, businesses, and essential services to geopolitical instabilities and social injustice. A systematic view is needed to analyse, predict and chart viable pathways for our energy transition.
This subject provides a capstone experience for the Environmental Science major specialisation in Energy Transition, while also providing a sustainability lens for discipline-focused majors in the energy space. This subject builds upon a fundamental understanding of thermodynamics, chemical, mechanical and/or electrical energy to explore the role of energy in nature and human society. Students will learn about the various forms of energy generation with their associated environmental and social impacts, and the degree to which the supply and demand of energy must be transformed, in order to mitigate climate change while conserving biodiversity and sustainable economic development. Students will evaluate real-world decision-making problems, and develop the skills needed to assess and critique energy transition pathways towards a sustainable future.
The energy transition is also a key component of environmental, social and governance (ESG) of businesses. Students will learn from industry experiences and potentially present to an industry panel.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Identify the role of the energy system in society and explain how it leads to critical dependencies in our social, economic, and environmental systems.
- Distinguish elements of the energy system that must change in order to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions to Net-Zero.
- Identify, analyse, and critique transition pathways of the energy system needed to mitigate climate change.
- Apply, examine and compare a range of quantitative and qualitative change frameworks for the energy transition.
- Assess energy transitions across different spatio-temporal scales and consider their global ramifications.
Generic skills
- Communication: developing effective oral and written communication skills
- Time-Management skills: the ability to meet deadlines and balance competing commitments
- Team skills: working in teams, assuming a complementary role, and contributing to joint outcomes
- Critical thinking: organise observations of complex systems occurring across various energy resources and further analyse using complementary frameworks
- Problem-solving skills: the ability to engage with unfamiliar problems and identify relevant solution strategies
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| EVSC20006 | Energy and the Environment | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ATOC20001 | Extreme Weather and Climate | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| CHEM20018 | Chemistry: Reactions and Synthesis | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| CHEN20010 | Material and Energy Balances | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| CHEN20012 | Fundamentals of Chemical Engineering | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| PHYC20012 | Quantum and Thermal Physics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| MAST20029 | Engineering Mathematics |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Advanced proficiency in the application of the physical laws of energy conservation, thermodynamics, chemical, mechanical and/or electrical energy is strongly recommended.
A working knowledge of word-processing, spreadsheet, and graphing software is also recommended.
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Online quiz
| Week 2 | 10% |
Group report (3 students per group)
| Week 7 | 30% |
Group presentation (3 students per group)
| From Week 10 to Week 11 | 10% |
Final exam
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Kelvin Say Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Breadth options
Last updated: 4 March 2025