PrintSyllabus
EBF 483: Introduction to Electricity Markets (Fall 2022)
This syllabus is divided into several sections. It is essential that you read the entire document as well as the material covered in the Orientation module. Together these serve as our course "contract."
Instructor
Zhongyang He
Instructor, Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University
- E-mail: If you need to contact me about anything, please send me a Canvas e-mail (Canvas Conversations) using the “Inbox” link (
) in Canvas. - Office Hours: Mondays 1:30 - 4:30 pm ET in-person at 21 Hosler Building or virtually via Zoom: https://psu.zoom.us/j/93906966472
NOTE: I will read and respond to Canvas e-mail at least once per day during the workweek (Monday - Friday). I'll also check the discussion forum several times per week. You may see me online occasionally on the weekends, but please don't count on it!
Course Overview
Description:
This course is designed to teach students about the structure of the electricity industry, the regulatory institutions that oversee the industry, and the new market institutions that have been put into place since electricity restructuring. Much of the focus will be on the U.S. electricity industry. Since Pennsylvania has been a national leader in electricity restructuring, we will place particular emphasis on events in the Mid‐Atlantic region, but will also discuss other market structures in the U.S. and in other countries.
Relationship to the EBF Major and EBF Minor:
EBF 483 counts as either an upper‐level EBF elective or as a substitute for EBF 484, but not both. If you wish to use this course to fill a requirement for the EBF major, you will need to fill out a course exemption form. If you are in the EBF minor, you can use this course as an upper-level elective. You'll also need a course exemption form filled out.
Prerequisites and concurrent courses:
The official prerequisites for this course are MATH 140 and (ECON 102 + MATH 230) OR (EBF 200 + EBF 301) and EBF 472 or STAT 200 or 301 or 401. We will be using simple differential calculus and optimization concepts in this course. This course also requires a working knowledge of Microsoft Excel. You will be asked at various times in the course to use Excel or a similar software program to perform simple calculations and create simple charts and graphs.
Students who do not meet these prerequisites may be disenrolled according to Administrative Policy C-5 if they do not have the proper prerequisite override. If you have not completed the listed prerequisites, then promptly consult with the instructor if you have not done so already. Students who add the course after being disenrolled, according to this policy, are in violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
Course Objectives
When you successfully complete this course, you will be prepared to:
- describe the structure of the electricity industry
- explain the regulatory institutions that oversee the industry,
- evaluate the new market institutions that have been put into place since electricity restructuring.
Expectations
On average, most students spend ten to twelve hours per week working on course assignments. Your workload may be more or less depending on your study habits.
I have worked hard to make this the most effective and convenient educational experience possible. The Internet may still be a novel learning environment for you, but in one sense it is no different from a traditional college class: how much and how well you learn is ultimately up to you. You will succeed if you are diligent about keeping up with the class schedule and if you take advantage of opportunities to communicate with me as well as with your fellow students.
Specific learning objectives for each lesson and project are detailed within each lesson. The class schedule is published below and in Canvas (the course management system used for this course). You'll have 1 week to complete each lesson.
A note on Academic Integrity
Please read carefully the Academic Integrity statement in the Course Policies section below. Please also understand that the use of websites like Chegg and Course Hero is a violation of the college's academic integrity policy and that all suspected violations will be reported.
Required Course Materials
Required textbook
There is no textbook for this course. Required readings will be available online via Canvas. If you notice a broken link in the course materials please notify the instructor right away!Online lesson content
All other materials needed for this course are presented in Canvas. In order to access the online materials, you need to have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password (used to access the online course resources). If you have any questions about obtaining or activating your Penn State Access Account, please contact the World Campus Helpdesk.
Computer Requirements
This course will be conducted entirely via the world wide web. All course material will be delivered over the web as internet web pages, PDF files and videos. Students are responsible for maintaining access to a functional computer and internet access for the entire course period. Students may be able to see course material over smartphones or tablets, but these should not be considered appropriate substitutes for a working laptop or desktop computer. Technical issues with computers or lack of internet access are not valid excuses for missing assignments or late submission. Malfunction of drop boxes or quizzes on smartphone or tablet platforms are also not acceptable excuses for missing assignments or late submission. Taking classes online does give you some freedom to be away from the Penn State campus, but it comes with the added responsibility of complete and uninterrupted access to sufficient technology for the duration of the course.
Assignments and Exams
This course will rely on two methods to assess and evaluate student learning:
- Homework Assignments
There will be twelve homework assignments throughout the course of the semester, one for each of the first eleven lessons and one for the last two lessons. Weekly assignments will generally be due by 11:59 Eastern Time eight days after each lesson opens. Homework assignments must be typed and submitted to the dropbox as PDF files on Canvas by the due date and time. No handwritten work will be accepted, and no file types other than PDF will be accepted. This includes graphs, tables, and mathematics/calculations in addition to written responses. With a few exceptions, solutions to the homework problems will be posted on the course Canvas site 48 hours after the homework is due. Late homework assignments will be penalized by 30 points per day, beginning five minutes after the official due date.
Students are responsible for maintaining access to a functional internet connection and computer equipment. In the event of any disputes about the time of submission, the time stamp on Canvas, not on a student’s phone, tablet or personal computer will represent the official submission time of record for this course. Do not wait until the last minute to submit assignments!
When evaluating average homework grades, the instructor will drop the two lowest homework grades over the course of the semester.
Every student must type up and submit his or her own individual assignment. This means that even if you work with other members of the class, you must write out the answers to the questions in your own words. Even if you work together with someone on a homework assignment, you may not copy and paste each other’s work onto the assignment that you hand in (this includes equations, tables, and graphs). Copying and pasting of other students’ work will be reported to the Earth and Mineral Sciences College and will be punished to the maximum extent permitted by the EMS Academic Integrity Policy.
- Examinations
There will be two examinations during the course, mid-term in Week 8 (no lesson for that week) and final in week 17 (finals week). Each examination will be open in Canvas for a period of 72 hours and will be 120 minutes in length. Examinations will be taken and timed on Canvas. Students may not consult with other students about the exam during the examination period for any reason.
It is important that your work is submitted in the proper format to the appropriate Canvas Assignment or Discussion Forum and by the designated due date. I strongly advise that you not wait until the last minute to complete these assignments—give yourself time to ask questions, think things over, and chat with others. You'll learn more, do better...and be happier!
Due dates for all assignments are posted on the course calendar in Canvas.
Grading
Your grade in this course will be determined by your performance on weekly assignments and four examinations. Each of the weekly assignments will be worth 60 points and each of the four examinations will be worth 100 points total. The two lowest weekly assignment grades will be dropped, and no examination grade will be dropped. There are 1,000 total possible points to be attained through the course, 400 of which are represented by the weekly assignments and 600 of which are represented by the four examinations.
If a student believes that there has been a grading error on a homework assignment or exam, the student must contact the instructor with a detailed description of the grading issue within one week of the homework or exam grades being posted on the Canvas grade book.
To make up work in the case of an unavoidable conflict, major illness, or documented emergency, a student may be able to make up work or have an extension provided the student has given 48 hours of notice.
There will be no extra credit opportunities in the class.
| Assignment | Percent of Grade |
|---|---|
| Homework - 60 points each (10 of 12 count - Drop 2) | 50% |
| Exams - 100 points each (mid-term and final) | 50% |
I will use the Canvas grade book to keep track of your grades. You can see your grades in the grade book, too. Overall course grades will be determined as follows. Percentages refer to the proportion of all possible points earned.
| Letter Grade | Points | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| A | 930 - 1,000 | 93 - 100 % |
| A- | 900 - 929 | 90 - 92.9 % |
| B+ | 870 - 899 | 87 - 89.9 % |
| B | 830 - 869 | 83 - 86.9 % |
| B- | 800 - 829 | 80 - 82.9% |
| C+ | 770 - 799 | 77 - 79.9 % |
| C | 700 - 769 | 70 - 76.9 % |
| D | 600 - 699 | 60 - 69.9 % |
| F | < 600 | < 60 % |
| X |
Unsatisfactory (student did not participate) |
Late Policy
Late homework assignments will be penalized by 30 points per day, beginning five minutes after the official due date. This means that no late assignments will be accepted more than 48 hours past the due date.
Make-up Exam policy
Make-up exams will only be granted through the approval of the course instructor for legitimate and excused absences. Prior notification and approval for a make-up exam must be obtained by the student at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled exam. Special circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Curve
Grades for this class will/will not be curved.
EBF 483 Course Schedule
Printable Schedule
Below you will find a summary of the primary learning activities for this course and the associated time frames. This course is sixteen weeks in length, with an orientation module preceding the official start of the course. Each lesson is one week long, with one exception of Lesson 4 (two weeks). See our Syllabus/Calendar in Canvas for specific lesson time frames and assignment due dates.
Each lesson will open at 9:00 a.m. Eastern U.S. time on Mondays. Unless otherwise stated on the Canvas calendar, all homework assignments will be due to the relevant Canvas drop box by 11:59 p.m. eastern U.S. time on Tuesdays.
I will be opening the lessons one week at a time. While you can complete each lesson at your own pace within the week that the lesson is open, you cannot work ahead. Please plan to have access to a computer and reliable internet access each week that the course runs.
NOTE: See the Canvas Calendar tab for a full semester calendar of events.
| Readings | Read the online material for the orientation and review the course syllabus. |
|---|---|
| Assignments | Course Orientation Quiz |
| Readings | Read the online Lesson 1 material and any additional readings mentioned within the lesson |
|---|---|
| Assignments | Lesson 1 Homework Assignment |
| Readings | Read the online Lesson 2 material and any additional readings mentioned within the lesson |
|---|---|
| Assignments | Lesson 2 Homework Assignment |
| Readings | Read the online Lesson 3 material and any additional readings mentioned within the lesson |
|---|---|
| Assignments | Lesson 3 Homework Assignment |
| Readings | Read the online Lesson 4 material and any additional readings mentioned within the lesson |
|---|---|
| Assignments | Lesson 4 Homework Assignment (two-week lesson and extended homework deadline) |
| Readings | Read the online Lesson 5 material and any additional readings mentioned within the lesson |
|---|---|
| Assignments | Lesson 5 Homework Assignment |
| Readings | Read the online Lesson 6 material and any additional readings mentioned within the lesson |
|---|---|
| Assignments | Lesson 6 Homework Assignment |
| Readings | Read the online Lesson 7 material and any additional readings mentioned within the lesson |
|---|---|
| Assignments | Lesson 7 Homework Assignment |
| Readings | Read the online Lesson 8 material and any additional readings mentioned within the lesson |
|---|---|
| Assignments | Lesson 8 Homework Assignment |
| Readings | Read the online Lesson 9 material and any additional readings mentioned within the lesson |
|---|---|
| Assignments | Lesson 9 Homework Assignment |
| Readings | Read the online Lesson 10 material and any additional readings mentioned within the lesson |
|---|---|
| Assignments | Lesson 10 Homework Assignment |
| Readings | Read the online Lesson 11 material and any additional readings mentioned within the lesson |
|---|---|
| Assignments | Lesson 11 Homework Assignment |
| Readings | Read the online Lesson 12 material and any additional readings mentioned within the lesson |
|---|---|
| Assignments | Lesson 12 Homework Assignment Lesson 12 & 13 homework Assignment |
| Readings | Read the online Lesson 13 material and any additional readings mentioned within the lesson |
|---|---|
| Assignments | Lesson 12 Homework Assignment Lesson 12 & 13 homework Assignment |
Course Policies
Technical Requirements
For this course, we recommend the minimum technical requirements outlined on the World Campus Technical Requirements page, including the requirements listed for same-time, synchronous communications. If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the IT Service Desk (for World Campus students) or Penn State's IT Help Portal (for students at all other campus locations).
Internet Connection
Access to a reliable Internet connection is required for this course. A problem with your Internet access may not be used as an excuse for late, missing, or incomplete coursework. If you experience problems with your Internet connection while working on this course, it is your responsibility to find an alternative Internet access point, such as a public library or Wi-Fi ® hotspot.
Mixed Content
This site is considered a secure web site, which means that your connection is encrypted. We do, however, link to content that isn't necessarily encrypted. This is called mixed content. By default, mixed content is blocked in Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome. This may result in a blank page or a message saying that only secure content is displayed. Follow the directions on our Technical Requirements page to view the mixed content.
Equations
This course must be viewed using the latest version of Firefox, Safari, Chrome, or Edge. Internet Explorer is not supported. If you use any other browser, or if you are not using the latest version of your browser, some pages containing equations may not render properly. In addition, javascript must be enabled for equations to render properly. If you have any issues with equations not rendering properly, please update your browser to the latest version or try using a different browser. If you need additional technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the HelpDesk (for World Campus students) or the IT Service Desk (for students at all other campus locations).Penn State E-mail Accounts
All official communications from Penn State are sent to students' Penn State e-mail accounts. Be sure to check your Penn State account regularly, or forward your Penn State e-mail to your preferred e-mail account, so you don't miss any important information.
Academic Integrity
This course follows the procedures for academic integrity of Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Penn State defines academic integrity as "the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner." Academic integrity includes "a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation, or deception." In particular, the University defines plagiarism as "the fabrication of information and citations; submitting others' work from professional journals, books, articles, and papers; submission of other students' papers, lab results or project reports and representing the work as one's own." Penalties for violations of academic integrity may include course failure. To learn more, see Penn State's Academic Integrity Training for Students.
Course Copyright
All course materials students receive or to which students have online access are protected by copyright laws. Students may use course materials and make copies for their own use as needed, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s express permission is strictly prohibited. University Policy AD 40, the University Policy Recording of Classroom Activities and Note Taking Services addresses this issue. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct, and/or liable under Federal and State laws.
For example, uploading completed labs, homework, or other assignments to any study site constitutes a violation of this policy.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Office for Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for Campus Disability Coordinators at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the Office for Student Disability Resources website.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled. You will participate in an intake interview and provide documentation. See documentation guidelines at Applying for Services from Student Disability Resources. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Change in Normal Campus Operations
In case of weather-related delays or other emergency campus disruptions or closures at the University, this online course will proceed as planned. Your instructor will inform you if there are any extenuating circumstances regarding content or activity due dates in the course due to these delays or closures. If you are affected by a weather-related emergency, please contact your instructor at the earliest possible time to make special arrangements.
Reporting Educational Equity Concerns
Penn State takes great pride in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated (Policy AD29 Statement on Intolerance) and can be reported through Educational Equity via Report Bias.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional well-being. The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Services include the following:
Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park (CAPS): 814-863-0395
Counseling Services at Commonwealth Campuses
Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 877-229-6400
Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741
Military Personnel
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Connect Online with Caution
Penn State is committed to educational access for all. Our students come from all walks of life and have diverse life experiences. As with any other online community, the lack of physical interaction in an online classroom can create a false sense of anonymity and security. While one can make new friends online, digital relationships can also be misleading. Good judgment and decision-making are critical when choosing to disclose personal information to others whom you do not know.
Deferred Grades
If you are prevented from completing this course within the prescribed amount of time for reasons that are beyond your control, it is possible to have the grade deferred with the concurrence of the instructor, following Penn State Deferred Grade Policy 48-40. To seek a deferred grade, you must submit a written request (by e-mail or U.S. post) to the instructor describing the reason(s) for the request. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested before the beginning of the final examination period. It is up to the instructor to determine whether or not you will be permitted to receive a deferred grade. If permission is granted, you will work with the instructor to establish a communication plan and a clear schedule for completion within policy. If, for any reason, the coursework for the deferred grade is not complete by the assigned time, a grade of "F" will be automatically entered on your transcript.
Attendance
This course will be conducted entirely online. There will be no set class meeting times, but you will be required to complete weekly assignments with specific due dates. Many of the assignments are open for multiple days, so it is your responsibility to complete the work early if you plan to travel or participate in national holidays, religious observances or University approved activities.
If you need to request an exception due to a personal or medical emergency, contact the instructor directly as soon as you are able. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Respect
Penn State is “committed to creating an educational environment which is free from intolerance directed toward individuals or groups and strives to create and maintain an environment that fosters respect for others” as stated in Policy AD29 Statement on Intolerance. All members of this class are expected to contribute to a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment and to interact with civility.
For additional information, see:
- Penn State Affirmative Action Nondiscrimination Statement
- Policy AD 85 Sexual and/or Gender-Based Harassment and Misconduct, Title IX
- Penn State Values
- Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Penn State
- Assessment of the Living, Learning, and Working Environment (ALLWE) in EMS| Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Mandated Reporting Statement
Penn State’s policies require me, as a faculty member, to share information about incidents of sex-based discrimination and harassment (discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation) with Penn State’s Title IX coordinator or deputy coordinators, regardless of whether the incidents are stated to me in person or shared by students as part of their coursework. For more information regarding the University's policies and procedures for responding to reports of sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct, please visit Penn State's Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Response website.
Additionally, I am required to make a report on any reasonable suspicion of child abuse in accordance with the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law.
Disclaimer
Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus can be changed at any time, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. All changes will be communicated to you via e-mail, course announcement and/or course discussion forum.