SCI 1901E - Enegry
Course Syllabus - Spring 2009



| Course description | Outcomes | Term | Instructor information | Class meetings | Text |
|
Evaluation | Grading | Mid-term progress report | Course schedule | Course policies | Important dates |



Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact 
the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445,
disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.


Course Description:

Number and Title:

SCI 1901E (CRN 24331)
Energy

Credit Hours:

3.0 semester credit hours (3-0-3)

Catalog Description:

Emphasizes topics involving energy and its transfer to the understanding of biological and physical systems by examining a variety of aspects of energy resources, including the principles involved, and the environmental and economic consequences of energy production and use.

Course Prerequisites and Co-requisites:

None

Content:

Computer Requirement:

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.

Computer Skill Prerequisites:

  • Able to use the WindowsTM operating system
  • Able to use Microsoft WordTM word processing
  • Able to send and receive e-mail using OutlookTM or Outlook ExpressTM
  • Able to attach and retrieve attached files via email
  • Able to use a Web browser
  • In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

    Student notebook computers will not be used in the classroom in this course. Computers will be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor.

    Major Student Activities:


    Program Learning Outcomes:

    General education outcomes:

    The following links provide tabular descriptions of the communications outcome and the critical thinking outcome components  (see SCI 1901E in the tables):

    Course Learning Outcomes:

    • To be able to describe and apply the physical principles associated with the production and use of energy.
       
    • To be able to describe the methods available for energy production.
       
    • To be able to describe the environmental issues associated with energy production and use.

    Term:

    Spring Semester 2009


    Instructor Information:

    Instructor:

    Dr. John Campbell
    phone: (678) 466-4775
    fax: (678) 466-4899
    e-mail: JohnCampbell@clayton.edu
    internet: http://a-s.clayton.edu/campbell/

    Office:

    Administration Building, Room A-28B

    Office hours:

    Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., and Thursday, 10:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
    Other times by appointment


    Class Meetings:

    Classroom:

    Technology Building, Room T220

    Class times:

    8:25 a.m. - 9:40 a.m., Tuesday and Thursday


    Textbook Information:

    Text:

    Hinrichs and Kleinbach, Energy, Its Use and the Environment, 4th edition, Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2006.

    Text Coverage:

    Chapters 1 - 19


    Evaluation:

    In-class examinations: 2 - 75 minute exams @ 200 points

    400

    In-class quizzes: 20 quizzes @ 15 points*

    300

    Home energy audit

    100

    Final examination**

    300

    TOTAL

    1100

    *Quizzes covering fundamentals of study assignments will be administered. Quizzes will be announced in advance. 

    **The final examination will be comprehensive.


    Grading:

    A

    90 - 100%

    B

    80 - 89%

    C

    70 - 79%

    D

    60 - 69%

    F

    below 60%


    Mid-term Progress Report:

    The mid-term grade in this course, which will be issued before March 3, reflects approximately 25% of the entire course grade.  Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W."  Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, by mid-term, which occurs on March 6. The last day to withdraw without academic accountability is Friday, March 6, 2009.


    Course Schedule:

    The course schedule for SCI 1901E, Energy, is provided in the table below. Text chapter references are to Hinrichs and Kleinbach, Energy, Its Use and the Environment, 4th edition, 2006. Links for lesson topics are to objectives, vocabulary and homework.

    Lesson Date Lesson Topic Text Chapter
    1 Jan 13 Introduction and Overview 1
    2 Jan 15 Energy Mechanics I 2A-C
    3 Jan 20 Energy Mechanics II 2D-G
    4 Jan 22 Conservation of Energy I 3A-C
    5 Jan 27 Conservation of Energy II 3D-G
    6 Jan 29 Heat and Work 4
    7 Feb 3 Home Energy Conservation I 5A-D
    8 Feb 5 Home Energy Conservation II 5E-H
    9 Feb 10 Home Energy Audit -
    10 Feb 12 Home Energy Audit -
    11 Feb 17 Solar Energy 6
    12 Feb 19 Examination I 1-6
    13 Feb 24 Fossil Fuels 7
    14 Feb 26 Air Pollution 8
    15 Mar 3 Global Warming 9
    16 Mar 5 Electricity 10A-J
    17 Mar 17 Electromagnetism I 11A-C
    18 Mar 19 Electromagnetism II 11D-F
    19 Mar 24 Electricity from Solar Energy 12
    20 Mar 26 The Atom and Its Nucleus I 13A-D
    21 Mar 31 The Atom and Its Nucleus II 13E-I
    22 Apr 2 Examination II 7-13
    23 Apr 7 Nuclear Power: Fission I 14A-F
    24 Apr 9 Nuclear Power: Fission II 14G-M
    25 Apr 14 Radiation I 15A-D
    26 Apr 16 Radiation II 15E-H
    27 Apr 21 Future Nuclear Alternatives 16
    28 Apr 23 Biomass 17
    29 Apr 28 Geothermal Energy 18
    30 Apr 30 Course Summary and Review 19
    Final Examination TBA Final Examination 1 - 19

     


    Course Policies:

    General Policy:

    Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.

    University Attendance Policy

    Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

    Course Attendance Policy

    Attendance is expected for all class periods.  Attendance is required for quiz and examination periods.  Any absence must be accompanied by a written excuse from a doctor or other competent authority. 

    Missed Work

    Without a valid excuse, a grade of zero points will be assigned for the missed work.  If a valid excuse is provided:

  • Make-up quizzes will be given only if they are taken before quiz solutions are posted (afternoon of the day the quiz is given).  If the make-up quiz cannot be taken before the solutions are posted, the missed quiz will be counted as a quiz which can be dropped (approximately twelve to fourteen quizzes will be given in the course).  The highest ten quiz scores will be used to calculate the course grade.
     
  • Make-up examinations will be given only if they are taken before graded examinations are returned to students (next class period).  In the event that a make-up examination cannot be taken before exams are returned to other students, the missed examination will not count in calculating the course grade.  This means that other graded work will be responsible for a greater weight in determining the course final grade.
     
  • The final examination must be taken.
  • Academic Dishonesty

    Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism. All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Judicial procedures are described at

    http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/.

    Disruption of the Learning Environment

    Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not be tolerated.  While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior.  A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class.  A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal.  If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.

    A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at: 

    http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm.

    Other Policies

    The use of simple calculators is allowed for all quizzes and examinations.

    All examinations are closed book.

    No student-produced "memory sheets" or note cards are allowed.

    An instructor-produced reference data pamphlet will be provided for all quizzes and examinations.


    Important dates:

    Quizzes: Quizzes will be announced in advance.

    Home Energy Audit is due Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at the beginning of class.

    Tentative schedule for examinations:

    Examination

    Chapter coverage

    Date

    I

    1 - 6

    February 19, 2009

    II

    7 - 13

    April 2, 2009

    Final

    1-19

    TBA

    Last day to withdraw without academic penalty: Friday, March 6, 2009.



    Last update: December 30, 2008