PHYSICS 1110 - ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, AND THE ECONOMY (EEE) Winter Term 2010

Objectives of Course

1. To provide a broad background for the non-science student with energy.

2. To present an overview of the interplay between energy and the nation's environment and economy.

3. To develop an awareness of energy usage by the student on a personal basis.

4. To investigate conservation measures both for each individual and for the nation.

5. To discuss present research in energy.

Grades: Your term grade will be based on your performance on four tests (one/week), laboratory, and either a term paper, short oral presentation, or a laboratory project. The relative proportion of your grade of each is as follows:

Tests 60%

Laboratory and Class Attendance/Participation 25%

Short oral presentation, term 15%

paper, or laboratory project

The Grading Scale is established by the following standards:

Above 90% A 74-76% C+

87-89% A- 70-73% C

84-86% B+ 67-69% C-

80-83% B 64-66% D+

77-79% B- 60-63% D Below 60% F

Text: Energy and the Environment, 2^nd Edition, Ristinen & Kraushaar, 2006, ISBN-13: 978-0-471-73989-0 (pbk)

Tests

Tests will be held normally on Fridays and will last about 50 minutes. (Test 4 will be held on Thursday, January 28) Everyone should have a basic calculator available. All tests will be closed book.

Laboratory

The tentative schedule includes five laboratories in the course: Basic Measurements “Pi” (use of Excel), Heat of Fusion, Power (using Excel), Personal Energy Usage, Energy Audit of a Building or Home, and Specific Heat Capacity. Participation in two field trips is expected.

Short Oral Presentation, Term Project, or Laboratory Project

You have an option for choosing any one of these for your remaining 15% credit for the course. However, please make a choice as to which of the three you prefer by Friday January 15.

The short oral presentation will be given before the class on an energy topic of special interest to you. The time of the presentation should not exceed 12 minutes with a short interlude of questions (and answers???) to follow. The presentations will be given most likely on Wednesday, January 27.

The term paper should be an energy topic of special interest to you. The length should be from 5 to 7 pages but should mainly be determined by how long it takes you to develop your topic. Include references at end of paper and connect as best you can to class and our text book. Be sure to include direct references to your sources throughout your paper. There will also be a "tough topic" component in grading. Use “legitimate” webpage resources. Term papers will be due no later than Wednesday, January 27.

A laboratory project can also be performed. You may work on this project at home and/or in the physics laboratory during the afternoons. I shall be happy to try to answer your questions and to provide encouragement along the way, but you will propose the project and you will do the work. Due date is also Wednesday, January 27.

The proposal for the lab project and the topics or the short oral presentations and term papers should be approved (please!) by J. Artz no later than Friday January 22.

Office Hours and comments: I shall try to be available immediately before class for questions; and after class. Let’s also set up official office hours M through Thursday from ~3 PM (whenever lab is finished) to 4 PM. IF YOU EVER HAVE CONCERNS, PROBLEMS, GRIPES, ETC. SEE ME, SEE ME, SEE ME! PLEASE DON'T EVEN THINK OF MISSING A SINGLE CLASS! THIS COURSE IS PACKED AND INTENSE with a wealth of material for life-long learning.

Office: RS 126, Office Phone #651-523-2256, (NOTE: Tutoring and student help will be made available if requested.)
GOOD LUCK, WORK HARD, AND HAVE FUN! Jerry Artz