Topic / Activity

I.       Course introduction:

a.     Overview: Energy as a wicked problem, with scientific, economic,

and political dimensions

b.     Course objectives, organization, grading

c.     Energy literacy

II.     Energy: Physical basis and measurements                                                            

a.     Definitions, forms of energy

b.     Newtonian motion

1.       Speed, acceleration, gravity

2.       Momentum, force, weight, mass

3.       Newton’s laws

4.       Energy vs power vs work

c.  Conservation of energy, laws of thermodynamics, efficiency

d.  Temperature and heat

      1.     Definitions

      2.     Heat transfer

      3.     Specific heat, conduction vs convection vs radiation

e.  Energy consumption

      1.     Basic concepts

      2.     Space heating, role of insulation, energy audits (time permitting)

III.    Energy in living systems                                                                                       

      1.     Basic concepts

      2.     Energy in individual organisms

      3.     Energy in ecosystems  

IV.   Basics of electricity

V.    The science of climate change

VI.  Energy production - Conventional energy

         a.  Coal

         b.  Petroleum

         c.  Conventional natural gas

         d.  Unconventional natural gas

         e.  Nuclear (fission and fusion)                                                                             

VII.  Energy production – Alternative energy

a.   Solar    

b.   Wind    

c.   Hydropower

d.   Geothermal

e.   Biomass

f.    Biodiesel / Ethanol

VIII.  Energy conservation