Energy and the environment
L Spriggs
4.5 points
* 65 hours
* Full-year subject
* Gippsland/Distance
* Prerequisites: Entry to BEng course
Objectives The student is expected to develop a vocabulary of terms necessary to understand and analyse the relationship between energy and environmental issues and an overall foundation for understanding energy conversion technology in an integrated socio-environmental context.
Synopsis This subject draws on material from a wide range of disciplines to introduce students to the concepts and relationships associated with human energy use. A comprehensive model is devised to provide an integrated framework for considering energy use and its effects on the environment. The model highlights energy resource classification, extraction and processing; patterns of energy use; environmental (including social) effects of energy technologies and systems; economic, ethical and political implications of energy distribution and use, and energy planning. Students are encouraged to evaluate current energy problems (eg enhanced Greenhouse effect) and to consider innovative strategies for more environmentally friendly energy practices.
Assessment Three assignments: 100%
Prescribed texts
Patterson W C The energy alternative Optima, 1990
Recommended texts
Neueson M (ed.) Managing the human impact on the natural environment Belhaven Press, 1992
`Energy for planet earth' Scientific American Special issue, September 1990
| Published by Monash University, Clayton, Victoria
3168 Copyright © Monash University 1996 - All Rights Reserved - Caution Authorised by the Academic Registrar December 1996 |