EGEE 401
Energy in a Changing World

Syllabus

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EGEE 401: Energy in a Changing World

Syllabus (Spring 2024)

This syllabus is divided into several sections. You can read it sequentially by scrolling down the length of the document or by clicking on any of the links below to “jump” to a specific section. That being said, it is essential that you read the entire document, as well as material covered in the Course Orientation. Together, these serve the role of our course "contract."

Instructor

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Matt Howard

Contact: Canvas Inbox or email mch5950@psu.edu
Office Hours: By appointment only

NOTE: I will read and respond to e-mail and discussion forums once per day during the work week (Monday through Friday). You may see me online occasionally on the weekends, but please don't count on it!


Class Support Services

Penn State Online offers online tutoring to World Campus students in math, writing, and some business classes. Tutoring and guided study groups for residential students are available through Penn State Learning.


Course Overview

EGEE 401: ENERGY IN A CHANGING WORLD (3 credits).

Energy is in transition, with increased international energy demand and increasing environmental pressures. Transitions, approaches, and outcomes necessary to reconcile ensuring energy accessibility, reliability, security, and sustainability are addressed.

The role of energy is increasingly important in light of imminent climate change, critical ecological constraints, transitioning energy policies, supply disruption and competition for energy. This course evaluates the existing energy infrastructure and energy/fuel use, both domestic and international, along with evolving technologies and implementation challenges to manage and meet growing energy demands. This course seeks to provide a holistic view and to serve all students interested in an energy or energy-related career. Students will understand the interrelationships between legislative, technology, environmental, and international factors associated with energy production, processing, distribution, and utilization.

EGEE 401 is conducted entirely online. There will be no set class meeting times, but you will be required to complete weekly assignments. The course begins with a course orientation that provides important information about the course and the course environment, as well as the Academic Integrity submission which you must complete in order to unlock the rest of the course.

There are 13 lessons, which will be completed at a rate of 1 lesson per week, with a midterm essay assignment and a final exam. Assignments will be in the form of Lesson Activities (based on assigned reading for each lesson and utilizing models and data from a range of sources), Discussion Forums (lively discussion of questions involving personal opinion and original thinking), and a final exam (comprehensive). Due dates for all assignments are posted on the course calendar in Canvas.

Prerequisites and concurrent courses:

EGEE 101 or EGEE 102 or CHEM 112. Please note, per university prerequisite policy students who do not meet these prerequisites may be dis-enrolled. If you have not yet completed at least one of these courses, please contact the instructor to request a waiver or drop this course and retake it at a later date.

Expectations

On average, most students will spend at least eight hours per week working on course assignments. Your workload may be more or less depending on your prior experience with computing and the Web in general, and with the course topics in particular.

We have worked hard to make this the most effective and convenient educational experience possible. The Internet is still a novel learning environment, but in one sense it is no different than 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 assignment are detailed within each lesson. The class schedule is published on the course calendar in Canvas.

Course Goals:

Increasingly, energy is an issue influencing national security, quality of life, national economics, and global as well as local environmental challenges. Energy is intrinsically linked to the environment and the international challenges of producing and utilizing energy at a reasonable cost with the appropriate human and environmental concerns. We refer to the attributes of energy in our world in terms of accessibility, reliability, security, and sustainability. It is desirable to produce engineers, scientists, and energy business personnel who understand the energy system at a holistic level and can navigate these attributes in terms of competing priorities while applying systems thinking to reach desired outcomes. This course provides this holistic experience and introduces the students to the many aspects of the energy business.


Required Course Materials

All materials needed for this course are presented in our course website or in Canvas. No textbook is required. In order to take this course, 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.


Assessment: Assignments, Quizzes, and Exams

Infographics

Some lessons are accompanied by an infographic based on the weekly assigned readings and utilizing models and data from a range of sources. The idea is to promote learning (and retention!) by offering you an opportunity to confirm what you have learned from the readings and to help you draw connections between various topics or concepts related to this course.

Essays

Some lessons include a topic where you will be asked to write an essay (most essays are 325 words +/- 10%). These essays should take the material reflected in the specific unit and provide you an opportunity to display your understanding of the issue, in your own words.

Discussions

There will be opportunities to openly engage in dialogue about the learning process of this course. There are specific discussion forums set up to allow you to voice your thoughts on what works well or supports your learning, and what doesn't work well or what could be improved upon. These are important conversations for us to have in order to continually meet the needs of you, our students and to ensure the course provides the highest quality learning experience possible.

Midterm Review

The midterm review will consist of a currents event essay assignment connecting content covered to date with a current event.

Final Exam

The final exam will be comprehensive of all topics covered in this course. 

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!

Breakdown of each assignment's value as a percentage of the total course grade.
Assignment Percent of Grade
Academic Integrity Evaluation 2%
Infographics 27%
Essays 33%
Midterm Review 10%
Discussion Forum Participation 18%
Final Exam 10%

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.

Grading

Letter Grade and Corresponding Percentage
Letter Grade Percentages
A 93 - 100 %
A- 90 - 92.9 %
B+ 87 - 89.9 %
B 83 - 86.9 %
B- 80 - 82.9%
C+ 77 - 79.9 %
C 70 - 76.9 %
D 60 - 69.9 %
F < 60 %
X

Unsatisfactory (student did not participate)

Deferred Grades

If you are prevented from completing this course within the prescribed amount of time, it is possible to have the grade deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. To seek a deferred grade, you must submit a written request (by email or U.S. post) to your instructor describing the reason(s) for the request. It is up to your instructor to determine whether or not you will be permitted to receive a deferred grade. 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.

Late Policy

Late work is not accepted for credit. If you have an unforeseeable personal, medical or family emergency and must request an exception to this policy, please contact the instructor immediately and directly. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.


EGEE 401 Course Schedule

imagePrintable Schedule

Below you will find a summary of the primary learning activities for this course and the associated time frames. Due dates for all assignments are posted on the Canvas Syllabus page and course calendar.

EGEE 401 Course Schedule

Lesson

Tasks

Course Orientation

  • Review the Course Syllabus
  • Post a personal introduction to the course discussion
  • Complete the Academic Integrity training and submission
  • Review the resources on creating infographics

Lesson 1:
Energy Provision

  • Read the online lesson and all related materials
  • Participate in Discussion 1 (required)
  • Complete and submit Lesson 1 infographic

Lesson 2:
Understanding Energy Outlooks

  • Read the online lesson and all related materials
  • Do the in-lesson activity
  • Complete and submit Lesson 2 Essay

Lesson 3:
Using Energy Outlooks

  • Read the online lesson and all related materials
  • Create a graph using outlook data
  • Complete and submit Lesson 3 Essay

Lesson 4:
Energy Transition- Fossil Fuels to Renewables

  • Read the online lesson and all related materials
  • Complete and submit Lesson 4 essay

Lesson 5:
Energy Transition- Using Less Energy Smarter

  • Read the online lesson and all related materials
  • Participate in the Demand Side Management discussion
  • Complete and submit Lesson 5 infographic

Lesson 6:
Transportation

  • Read the online lesson and all related materials
  • Participate in a Discussion about trends in emissions 
  • Complete and submit Lesson 6 infographic
Lesson 7: Energy in the Industrial Sector
  • Read the online lesson and all related materials
  • Discuss a Policy Decision: Transportation vs. Manufacturing
  • Complete and submit Lesson 7 essay
Midterm Review: Current Events Essay
  • Complete and submit Current Events essay

Lesson 8:
Energy Approaches- Global

  • Read the online lesson and all related materials
  • Watch a video and discuss it
  • Complete and submit Lesson 8 infographic

Lesson 9:
Energy Approaches- USA

  • Read the online lesson and all related materials
  • Discuss the relationship between deregulation and renewable energy
  • Complete and submit Lesson 9 essay

Lesson 10:
Energy Approaches- USA Cont.

  • Read the online lesson and all related materials
  • Discuss energy markets
  • Complete and submit Lesson 10 essay

Lesson 11:
Energy and Climate Change

  • Read the online lesson and all related materials
  • Discuss energy innovations
  • Complete and submit Lesson 11 essay

Lesson 12:
Energy Food Water Nexus

  • Read the online lesson and all related materials
  • Discuss your water footprint
  • Complete and submit Lesson 12 infographic
Lesson 13: Climate and Water
  • Read the online lesson and all related materials
  • Discuss the Four Factors of Energy Provision and Water
  • Complete and submit Lesson 13 Briefing Memo

Final Exam

  • Participate in the Final Exam
  • Complete SEEQ Evaluations

Course Policies

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.

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).

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.

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:

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.

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.