Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives The student is expected to develop a vocabulary of terms necessary to understand and analyse the relationship between energy and society issues and an overall foundation for understanding energy conversion technology in an integrated socio-environmental context.
Synopsis This subject aims to promote sufficient understanding of the interrelationships between energy and society to enable students to make an intelligent critical assessment of contemporary `energy issues'. Initial perspective is provided by examining the history of energy use in society. Aspects of energy engineering including surveys of world energy resources, conversion methods and effects of energy use of the physical environment are considered before focusing on the key role of energy in the sustenance, development and structure of society. The economic and political consequences of energy use are examined in the context of society's assessment and regulation of its energy use. Emphasis in the latter part of the subject is on the Australian energy scene.
Assessment Four written assignments: 100%